Minnesota Vikings
National Football League team the Minnesota Vikings play in the Northern Division of the NFC.
Fast Facts
- Inaugural season: 1961
- NFC Titles: 4 (last in 1976)
- Super Bowl wins: 0
- pre-1966 NFL Titles: 0
- Home: Metrodome Minneapolis
Founding
After the first professional football teams in Minneapolis and St. Paul dissolved in the 1930s, a franchise was granted to the city in 1959 to allow a American Football League team to return to the cities.
The following year, the team left the AFL to join the NFL and on September 27, 1960 were officially named the Minnesota Vikings.
Early Years
The Vikings played their first game on September 17, 1961. Late in the 1960s, the Vikings gained a powerful team with help of Alan Page, Carl Eller, Gary Larsen, and Jim Marshall. That group, dubbed the "Purple People Eaters", led the team to their first post season appearance in 1968.
Super Bowl Appearances
The Vikings returned to the playoffs in 1969, winning the NFL Championship, but losing Super Bowl IV to the Kansas City Chiefs. The team returned to the Super Bowl in 1973, 1974 and 1976, losing all three attempts.
Traditions
Originally named the Vikings to reflect the Scandinavian American culture in Minnesota, the Viking theme has stayed with the team ever since. Fans ofter wear horned hats or blond braided wigs to pay tribute to the culture. Additionally, a Viking horn is played during home teams, to congratulate the team on a great play.
Notable Players
Related Pages on Mahalo
National Football League | Chester Taylor | Adrian Peterson | Darren Sharper | Steve Hutchinson | Cris Carter | Fran Tarkenton | Alan Page | Jim Marshall | Herschel Walker | Green Bay Packers | Detroit Lions | Chicago Bears | Dallas Cowboys | Philadelphia Eagles | Randy Moss | Minnesota Twins | Minnesota Wild | Minnesota Timberwolves | Super Bowl IV | Super Bowl VIII | Super Bowl IX | Super Bowl XI | Gary Larsen | Daunte Culpepper Retires | NFL Rumors
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