5 best Minnesota Vikings moments of the past decade

Teddy’s return to the field (2017)

After suffering a brutal leg injury prior to the start of the 2016 season, many assumed that Teddy Bridgewater’s career in the NFL was as good as gone. But Bridgewater did the unthinkable and eventually worked his way back onto the field.

With a win already in the bag in the fourth quarter of their Week 15 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals, the Vikings replaced quarterback Case Keenum with Bridgewater and all of U.S. Bank Stadium rose to their feet to cheer on a kid who almost had his livelihood taken away from him.

Thielen’s blocked punt (2014)

No one’s journey to Minnesota’s roster during the last decade was likely more unique than the path taken by Adam Thielen.

Thielen began his Vikings career on the team’s practice squad in 2013 and he then earned a spot on Minnesota’s active roster in 2014. He has always been known as one to make the most of his opportunities and he did just that during the Vikings’ Week 13 win over the Carolina Panthers.

Playing special teams, Thielen came up with a blocked punt in the first quarter and returned it for his first career touchdown in the NFL. Since that moment, he’s managed to find the end zone a few more times.

Grant doesn’t need a coat (2015)

Bud Grant will forever be known as one of the greatest head coaches Minnesota has ever had during the history of their franchise. As he should though since Grant led the Vikings to 11 division titles and four Super Bowl appearances during his tenure with the team.

Despite his last coaching stint with Minnesota coming in 1985, Grant was still a part of one of the most memorable moments from the past decade.

Before the Vikings opening-round matchup against the Seattle Seahawks in the 2015 playoffs, the former Minnesota head coach, who was 88-years-old at the time, walked to the middle of the field for the coin toss.

Since the game was being played outdoors at the University of Minnesota’s TCF Bank Stadium, the temperature for this contest in the middle of January was well below zero degrees. The cold didn’t seem to faze Grant, however, as the former Vikings head coach trotted out onto the field in a short-sleeved shirt and no coat.

It was just another reason to add to the extremely long list of why the state of Minnesota continues to adore Grant.