Minnesota Vikings The Future Is Now by Kenny Watkins
The Minnesota Vikings was introduced in 1961 into the NFL. Bert
Rose was their first general manager. Purple, yellow and white are the
team colors. The Viking was chosen because of the Scandinavia heritage
in the area.
In their first year the expansion team from
Minnesota would struggle to a last place finish with a record of 3-11.
Rookie Fran Tarkenton took his lumps but would eventually be a hall of
famer. The next couple of years the Vikings struggled.
1967 would usher in the Bud Grant era as coach. He won 4 Grey Cup
championships in Canada. It was his job to turn around Minnesota. His
first year wasn't what he expected. But slowly but surely the Vikings
did get better. In his second year Bud led them to the divisional
title their first one.
In 1969 the Vikings won the last NFL Championship before the merger by
beating the Cleveland Browns 27-7. In the final AFL-NFL Super Bowl the
Vikings would lose to the Kansas City Chiefs 23-7. Led by all-pro Alan
Page the Vikings won their fourth straight divisional title in 1971.
The same year they would reacquire Fran Tarkenton.
With the addition of Chuck Foreman in 1973 the Vikings would make
their first trip to the Super Bowl after their win over the Dallas
Cowboys 27-10. In their first Super Bowl the Vikings had to face
defending Super Champions the Miami Dolphins.
Miami dominated most of the game and went on to win 24-17. The
following year the Vikings were unstoppable again and made their
second Super Bowl Appearance in as many years. But the result was the
same as the Pittsburgh Steelers pull out a 16-7 win.
The Vikings was set to make their third straight Super Bowl appearance
when a Hail Mary from Roger Staubach landed in Drew Pearson's arms and
the Vikings lost. 1976 would be another great year as the Vikings
fought their way to their fourth Super Bowl.
In their fourth Super Bowl the Vikings faced the Oakland Raiders but
suffered the same fate as they lost to the Raiders by a score of
32-14. Minnesota was the first team to lose 4 straight Super Bowls.
The Vikings would struggle for the most part with some playoff
appearances but no Super Bowl ring. Now the Vikings are building their
team around two superstars. Dante Culpepper and Randy Moss look to
carry the Vikings into another Super Bowl. With their talent I
wouldn't bet against them.
Dante Culpepper Jersey - Minnesota Vikings
Jerseys (Purple)
From: Fanzz
For more information about more Minnesota
Vikings merchandise and apparel choose from one of the following links:
About The Author
Kenneth Watkins is an avid college football fan as well as a
successful sports author and regular contributor to
http://www.sports-gift.com. A free service for people to find the best
sports fan gift idea for the sports fan in their life. |
