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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)