Vikings and Steelers Chosen For 2015 Hall of Fame Game
By Nick Fritz
If you have a tough time waiting for the Vikings’ football season, this is good news for you. Along with the Steelers, they will be the first team to hit the field next season. Minnesota and Pittsburgh will kick-off the 2015 preseason in the Hall of Fame Game.
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The game will take place in Canton, Ohio, at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. NBC’s Sunday Night Football will carry the action, as it kicks off on August 9th at 8 p.m. ET.
The weekend will be special for both teams, as Mick Tingelhoff (Vikings Center 1962-1978) and Jerome Bettis (Steelers RB 1996-2005) will be inducted to the National Football League Hall of Fame.
“This is a tremendous honor for our organization to be featured in the Hall of Fame Game,” Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said in a statement. “It will give our players and coaches an extra week to prepare for the regular season and an additional opportunity for us to evaluate our roster. Pairing the game with Mick going into the Hall of Fame, it will be a special weekend for the Minnesota Vikings and our fans.”
"Tinglehoff’s induction was announced Jan. 31, on the eve of Super Bowl XLIX in Arizona. He is the most recent inductee from a list of Vikings greats that includes: Cris Carter (Aug. 3, 2013), Chris Doleman (Aug. 4, 2012), John Randle (Aug. 7, 2010), Randall McDaniel (Aug. 8, 2009), Gary Zimmerman (Aug. 2, 2008), Carl Eller (Aug. 8, 2004), Ron Yary (Aug. 4, 2001), Paul Krause (Aug. 1, 1998), Jim Finks (July 29, 1995), Bud Grant (July 30, 1994), Alan Page (July 30, 1988) and Fran Tarkenton (Aug. 2, 1986)."
Past appearances by Minnesota in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game:
Aug. 8, 1970: Saints 14, Vikings 13 (attendance: 17,932)
Aug. 7, 1982: Vikings 30, Colts (Baltimore) 14 (attendance: 23,379)
July 26, 1997: Vikings 28, Seahawks 26 (attendance: 23,846)