Meet the Vikings P urple is a color that is familiar to anyone who plays football That’s because bumps and bruises are part of the game The Minnesota Vikings take purple to a whole new level They have made it one of the most famous colors in sports The Vikings don’t just wear purple they live it No team tackles more ferociously or blocks with more power All that hard work gives Vikings fans something to cheer about in every game Just as important it gives Minnesota’s stars a chance to show off their skill and creativity The Vikings may be known for playing physical football but they have also had some of the most exciting and graceful players ever This book tells the story of the Vikings In some seasons they have had an unstoppable offense In others their defense has taken control When the Vikings put both together at the same time they are one of the most remarkable teams in football Percy Harvin gets a hug after scoring a touchdown The Vikings have always been able to find exciting and graceful players 5
Glory Days T he 1960s were a great decade for sports in Minnesota During this era the state welcomed professional teams in baseball hockey and basketball Pro football also took hold in Minnesota The first team was supposed to begin play in 1960 as part of the newly formed American Football League AFL However at the last moment the new team’s owners decided to join the National Football League NFL instead That is how the Vikings were born Minnesota played its first season in 1961 and made headlines by beating the Chicago Bears one of the NFL’s best teams on opening day In their early years the Vikings built their team around a handful of young stars including quarterback Fran Tarkenton running back Tommy Mason and defensive lineman Jim Marshall By the 6
late 1960s Minnesota was ready to challenge for the NFL championship The offense was led by running backs Bill Brown and Dave Osborn kicker Fred Cox and lineman Ron Yary Meanwhile Joe Kapp replaced Tarkenton as the team’s quarterback Kapp had been the Most Valuable Player MVP in the Canadian Football League CFL The Vikings were best known for their defense Marshall Gary Larsen Carl Eller and Alan Page made up a defensive line nicknamed the Purple People Eaters Other stars included defensive backs Bobby Bryant and Paul Krause The Vikings won the NFL championship in 1969 The coach of that team was Bud Grant He would lead the Vikings for 18 seasons in all Grant was tough and smart He taught the Vikings to play the same way During the 1970s Grant built Minnesota into a powerhouse His quarterback was Tarkenton who returned to the team in 1972 LEFT Fran Tarkenton looks for an open teammate ABOVE All four Purple People Eaters signed this souvenir photo 7
