Minnesota Vikings: One Time Before I Die
Dec 28, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Audie Cole (57) celebrates his defensive play against the Chicago Bears with Xavier Rhodes in the fourth quarter at TCF Bank Stadium. The Vikings win 13-9. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
“Just one before I die.”
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It is a phrase and sentiment thrown around these parts a lot when it comes to the Minnesota Vikings. The “one” of course being a Super Bowl victory. Actually, for the younger generations a Super Bowl appearance would be a step in the right direction. The phrase is uttered by fans young and old. It has even found its way onto unofficial, non-licensed Vikings’ apparel.
My grandpa used to talk about how he watched the Vikings lose four Super Bowls in the 1970s with my mom crying on his shoulder. I wanted so badly for them to win one that he could see and thought the 2009 team led by Brett Favre could be the one. Unfortunately, we all know how that turned out and he passed away a couple of years ago. The good news is he was around a lot of great football: One of my favorite stories of his was how he would sell newspapers outside of Memorial Stadium in Minneapolis while the Gophers were in their National Championships heyday.
My parents have watched many close calls. It’s certainly not just about the Super Bowls that they fell short in and the 1998 and 2009 NFC Championship games. There was Drew Pearson in the 1975 Playoffs. There was Darrin Nelson’s close call against Washington in the 1987 NFC Championship Game. The Vikings’ history is full of close but not close enough. The team has the ninth-highest winning percentage in NFL history. Every team above the Vikings on that list has won at least one Super Bowl.
I’m not writing this to open wounds. I’m trying to explain what being a die-hard Vikings fan feels like. They have always been the thing, other than friends and family, that I care about the most since I have been able to elucidate thoughts. I was twelve years old during the ’98 Championship Game. I was watching at my grandparents’ house. When Morten Andersen won the game in overtime, I threw myself on the couch in the back room of the house and sobbed for I don’t even know how long. In 2009 my buddy and I drove through a snowstorm after the game. We were so upset that we wanted to go to the casino to take our minds off of the game. In retrospect, that idea looks even stupider in print than it sounds in my head. We got stuck on the way there and decided that the fates were squarely against us. Once we freed my 1994 Ford Explorer with the help of a couple passers-by, I drove home and moped all night.
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There is a potential silver lining though. As Jordyn said, things are looking up for this team. I believe in Mike Zimmer and Teddy Bridgewater and think that the dark cloud may be lifted soon. If this team ever wins a championship it will mean even more because of all of the baggage. I honestly don’t even know what I would do. Probably wander the streets in a delirious daze and hopefully not get hit by a car. It would be amazing. So please, Vikings…
…just one before I’m gone.