Table of Contents
Minnesota Vikings
Establishment
The Minnesota Vikings were founded in 1960 as an expansion team.1)
First Season
Their inaugural season in the NFL was 1961.2)
Name Origin
The team’s name, “Vikings,” was chosen to reflect Minnesota's large Scandinavian-American heritage.3)
Purple and Gold Colors
The team’s colors are purple, gold, and white.4)
First Head Coach
The Vikings' first head coach was Norm Van Brocklin, a Hall of Fame quarterback.5)
Mascot
The team’s mascot is “Viktor the Viking.”6)
Skol Chant
The “Skol Chant” became a famous team tradition inspired by Icelandic soccer fans.7)
Metropolitan Stadium
The Vikings played at Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981.8)
Metrodome Era
They played in the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome from 1982 to 2013.9)
U.S. Bank Stadium
The Vikings have played at U.S. Bank Stadium since 2016.10)
First Game Win
The Vikings won their first NFL game, defeating the Chicago Bears 37-13.11)
First Quarterback
Fran Tarkenton, a Hall of Famer, was the team's first starting quarterback.12)
Super Bowl Appearances
The Vikings have made it to the Super Bowl four times but have yet to win (Super Bowls IV, VIII, IX, XI).13)
Purple People Eaters
Their legendary defensive line in the late 1960s and 70s was nicknamed the “Purple People Eaters.”14)
Bud Grant
Legendary head coach Bud Grant led the Vikings to all four Super Bowl appearances.15)
Fran Tarkenton's Legacy
Tarkenton held the record for most career passing yards and touchdowns when he retired.16)
First Playoff Appearance
The Vikings made their first playoff appearance in 1968.17)
Longest Playoff Drought
From 1983 to 1987, the Vikings missed the playoffs for five straight seasons.18)
"Minneapolis Miracle"
In the 2017 NFC Divisional Playoff, the Vikings beat the Saints with a last-second 61-yard touchdown by Stefon Diggs.19)
Greatest Comeback
In 2022, the Vikings made the biggest comeback in NFL history, overcoming a 33-point deficit against the Indianapolis Colts.20)
Hall of Famers
The Vikings have several Hall of Famers, including Randy Moss, Alan Page, and Chris Doleman.21)
Alan Page
He was the first defensive player to win the NFL MVP award in 1971.22)
Dante Culpepper
Known for his strong arm, Culpepper had a standout season in 2004.23)
Randy Moss’ Record
Moss set an NFL rookie record with 17 touchdown receptions in 1998.24)
Adrian Peterson
Peterson won the NFL MVP in 2012, rushing for 2,097 yards.25)
Longest Play
Peterson holds the record for the longest run from scrimmage (99 yards) in team history.26)
Single-Game Record
Peterson set the NFL single-game rushing record with 296 yards in 2007.27)
Greatest Rival
The Vikings' fiercest rival is the Green Bay Packers.28)
NFC North
The Vikings are part of the NFC North Division.29)
Hail Mary Origin
The term “Hail Mary” pass is often credited to the Vikings' Roger Staubach in a 1975 playoff game against the Cowboys.30)
Dennis Green
Head coach Dennis Green led the team to the playoffs eight times in ten seasons (1992-2001).31)
1998 Season
The Vikings' 1998 team, led by Moss and Randall Cunningham, scored 556 points, a record at the time.32)
Gary Anderson Miss
In 1998, kicker Gary Anderson missed a crucial field goal — his only miss all season — in the NFC Championship game.33)
First Dome Team
The Vikings were one of the first NFL teams to play home games in a domed stadium.34)
Blair Walsh Miss
Walsh missed a 27-yard field goal in the 2015 playoffs, losing to the Seahawks.35)
Greg Joseph
He kicked a record-breaking 61-yard field goal in 2022 to defeat the Giants.36)
Ring of Honor
The Vikings have a prestigious Ring of Honor for recognizing their greatest contributors.37)
Tommy Kramer
Kramer is known for his dramatic last-minute comebacks in the early 1980s.38)
Most Wins in a Season
The team won 15 games in 1998.39)
Justin Jefferson
Jefferson set the NFL rookie receiving yards record in 2020.40)
Viking Horn
The sound of a Gjallarhorn is used to rally the crowd at home games.41)
Snow Games
The Vikings’ Metrodome roof collapse in 2010 led to outdoor games at TCF Bank Stadium.42)
Team Ownership
The team is owned by Zygi Wilf and the Wilf family.43)
Purple End Zones
U.S. Bank Stadium features distinctive purple-colored end zones.44)
First NFL MVP
The Vikings' first NFL MVP was Fran Tarkenton in 1975.45)