Five Things For Vikings Fans To Be Thankful For
By Adam Carlson
Thanksgiving is nearly over. Hopefully, you got to spend the day with family and friends and enjoy a great meal while recounting the things that you are most thankful for. Although the Vikings aren’t exactly having a good season, there are still some things fans should thank the lucky stars for when it comes to their favorite team. Here are five of those things:
Nov 17, 2013; Seattle, WA, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) rushes against the Seattle Seahawks during the first quarter at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Adrian Peterson. The Vikings are lucky to have such a dynamic and exciting player on their team. Peterson was last year’s NFL MVP and had over 2,000 yards rushing on the year. This year, he has found the end zone eleven times already, making it his 7th consecutive year with double-digit touchdowns. He has the chance to reach 10,000 yards on Sunday against the Chicago Bears.
Dec 18, 2011; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings owners Zygi Wilf (left) and Mark Wilf (right) walk onto the field to meet with the owners of the New Orleans Saints prior to the game at the Metrodome. The Saints win 42-20. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
The Wilf Family. If not for Mark and Zygi Wilf, this team may very well not be the MINNESOTA Vikings that we know today. The Wilfs are one of the major reasons that the Vikings are also going to be playing in a new stadium soon that is going to be huge and beautiful. They seem to have the same passion for the team that fans and players have, which is an excellent thing to see from a team’s owners.
Dec 9, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings fans Stacy Pontinen and Joey Piskel and Kyle Bueckers cheer their team as they play the Chicago Bears at the Metrodome. The Vikings win 24-14. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
The Color Purple. No, not the book or the movie, although those are excellent too. The oceans of purple in the stands of the metrodome is enough to make even the most cynical Vikings fan proud. The dedication of lifelong fans and the brotherhood that they bring to the table is enough to make anyone that knows all the words to “SKOL Vikings” sing along at the top of their lungs.
Dec 30, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings kicker Blair Walsh (3) walks off the field following the game against the Green Bay Packers at the Metrodome. The Vikings defeated the Packers 37-34. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Blair Walsh. Yes, a kicker. Blair Walsh has shown to have a huge and accurate leg that has helped carry this team to many wins since his rookie year. Although the wins haven’t piled up this year, that doesn’t make his excellent performance this year any less worthy of praise. And think, he’s only in his second year with the team!
Nov 7, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen (69) celebrates his sack against the Washington Redskins in the fourth quarter at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. The Vikings win 34-27. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Jared Allen. Even though he may not be a Viking after this year, his time in Minnesota has been memorable. His bloody and bruising battles while chasing the NFL sack record have been some of the most entertaining games that Vikings fans have seen. He prides himself on being both entertaining and productive while being one of the faces of the franchise here in Minnesota.
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Don’t forget about the State of Minnesota, the former players and coaches, and the history that this team has given us all. Thank you, Vikings for all you have given us and all that you will hopefully give us in the future.