"Bud Grant has more leadership ability and more common sense than any person I have ever known or been around in my life. He was one of the very few great individuals that has ever been in this game." --Hall of Fame quarterback Fran Tarkenton
"You won't ever see me running out of bounds. ...That just isn't what I'm about. If you want contact, I'll give it to you." --Joe Kapp
"I knew it was never going to work from the start." --Herschel Walker reflecting on his infamous trade to Minnesota
With their distinctive emblem and mascot, reflective of Minnesota's predominant Nordic population, the Minnesota Vikings are a large part of their hometown community. The team is adored by native Minnesotans, who are destined, or doomed, to root for the Vikings from the moment they are born.
But like any longtime love affair, the relationship hasn't always been smooth sailing for the Vikings and their fans.
From Ahmad to Zygi, The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Minnesota Vikings takes an unvarnished look at Vikings history, including the brightest stars and worst flops, the strongest performances and biggest chokes, and the most overhyped and underappreciated players and coaches.
Once Bud Grant joined the franchise in 1967, the Vikings went from an expansion team to a perennial contender. He provided steely eyed, no-nonsense leadership while a marauding defense went on weekly search-and-destroy missions that dominated most games they played.
Was there ever a front four as dominant as the Purple People Eaters? They didn't care about sack dances or celebrations. They just did their job with speed, power, technique, and intelligence. When Jim Marshall, Minnesota's gridiron version of Cal Ripken Jr., identified the unit's goal--"Let's meet at the quarterback"--that's just what they did.
The Vikings became one of the elite teams in the NFL, reaching the Super Bowl four times--but each time falling short of their ultimate goal. True Vikings fans have never lost hope that their team will get back to the Super Bowl and win it, but they have yet to return since losing to the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl XI.
Since then, the Vikings have had their ups and downs both on the field and off. From Cris Carter to Randy Moss, from Fran Tarkenton to Daunte Culpepper, and from Bud Grant to Dennis Green, the Vikings have continued to chase that Super Bowl, spawning many fascinating stories along the way. So sit back, put on your Helga Hat, and tackle some real Vikings lore in The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Minnesota Vikings.
