Former Minnesota Vikings, One MN Native Headed To The Super Bowl

Jan 30, 2014; Jersey City, NJ, USA; Denver Broncos receiver

(87) at a press conference in advance of Super Bowl XLVIII on the Cornucopia Majesty yacht on the Hudson River. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Once again the Super Bowl is upon us and once again the Minnesota Vikings are only involved in the festivities and not the big game itself. So if you still don’t know if you want the Denver Broncos or the Seattle Seahawks to win, here is a list of former Vikings and even a Minnesota native to possibly sway your opinion.

Or you could cheer for the commercials.

Denver Players-

Eric Decker: He never played for the Vikings but did grow up in Cold Springs, Minnesota and played for Rocori High School. He went to the University of Minnesota and played football and baseball while he was there. He was drafted third round in 2010. Cold Springs is so proud of their native son they had an Eric Decker Day to honor his trip to the Super Bowl.

Chris Clark: He spent two years with the Vikings but did not see any regular season game action and was cut in 2010.

Denver Coaches-

Jack Del Rio, defensive coordinator: Del Rio was a linebacker for the Vikings from 1992-95. He also represented them in the 1994 Pro Bowl. He was then signed to the Miami Dolphins in 1996 but retired when he lost his position to a rookie. He started coaching in 1997 with the New Orleans Saints and ended up with the Denver Broncos in 2012.

Jan 28, 2014; Newark, NJ, USA; Seattle Seahawks wide receiver

is interviewed during Media Day for Super Bowl XLIII at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Seattle Players-

Percy Harvin: Was selected 22^nd overall in the 2009 NFL Draft. His rookie year as a Viking was record breaking and filled with awards— but his second year was filled with illnesses and injuries. He played 54 games for the Vikings as their return man and receiver from 2009-2012 but the Vikings traded him to the Seahawks.

Sidney Rice: He was drafted 44^th overall in the second round. Rice’s rookie season with 31 receptions for 396 yards and four touchdowns (second most receiving touchdowns by a 2007 rookie). He also completed two passes including a 79-yard pass, the longest for a non-quarterback in Vikings history.

He spent four seasons (48 games) with the Vikings before joining Seattle in 2011. Rice is currently on the injured reserve.

Tarvaris Jackson: He was seen as a diamond in the rough for the Vikings but that diamond never came to be. Jackson started or backed up between 2006 and 2010 before joining the Seahawks in 2011. He was with the Bills in 2012 but returned to Seattle as a backup this season.

Heath Farwell: He was an undrafted free agent out of UCLA in 2005 when the Vikings signed him. Farwell was named the special teams MVP for the Vikings at the end of the 2006 NFL season. He played 71 games for the Vikings, primarily on special teams, from 2005-2010 before joining the Seahawks.

Derrick Coleman: The Vikings signed Coleman as an undrafted free agent out of UCLA in 2012. They waived him in August. Coleman was signed by the Seattle Seahawks in December 2012. He made the 2013 season cut after the fourth preseason game and thus was added to the 53-man roster

Steven Hauschka: The undrafted kicker was cut in 2008 before playing a game in Minnesota.

Seattle Coaches-

Pete Carroll: He was the defensive backs coach with the Vikings from 1985-89. He was a candidate for the Stanford head coaching position in 1989, which went to Denny Green. He was again passed up for Green, in 1992 when the Vikings had a head coach vacancy.

Darrell Bevell, offensive coordinator: He was offensive coordinator of the Vikings from 2006-10 under Brad Childress.