Team News: Well two weeks have passed and we’ve seen two more victories. Clearly the team really looked good in the Seattle game – we’ll after the 0 to 0 first quarter. The team took control and never looked back. T-Jack played a little of the third quarter and all of the fourth; it’s always a good sign when your number 2 quarterback is playing for more than a series or two. All and all I truly believe the team is getting better each week – a real good sign for Viking fans.
With the team looking good I felt it was time to take up another topic – making sure the Vikings stay in Minnesota.
I’m not sure how many of you are following the “Dome Issue” but I’ll give you my two cents worth anyway. The Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission (MSFC) basically took off their gloves and smacked it across the face of the Minnesota Vikings. OK what they really did is offer the Vikings any playoff revenues that the dome commission keeps but the Vikings have to extend their lease another two years. This doesn’t sound as bad as it really is – with another part of the proposal the MSFC threatened to start charging the Vikings an additional 4 million in rent each year for the remainder of the contract if they don’t sign. Yes there are legal ways the MSFC could pull this off, but, considering the Vikings have the worst stadium deal in the NFL and are at the bottom of the revenue stream, threatening to make it worse doesn’t help keep the team where we want them. It was at this point, and for the first time under the Wilf’s ownership, that I felt the Vikings could be leaving Minnesota.
The best thing that could have happened to the Minnesota Vikings was having the Wilf’s take ownership. Just look at the team – has there been any off field issues, like the love boat or ticket scalping. The answer is no – the Vikings are truly a team to admire right now for there off field behaviors. Does everyone realize that Madieu Williams donated 2 million dollars to the University of Maryland to establish an International Initiatives Health Center? This is a far cry from negative press – in-fact this is a far cry from helping to raise money for a worthy cause, this is giving back to help humanity. This represents so much of what the Vikings are about today off the field. And how about what the Vikings are doing on the field – from an (pick your own adjective here) engineers perspective; it could only get better by one game. So it seems to me; the goals stated by the Wilf’s in the beginning of their ownership reign has come true – on and off the field.
I say these things realizing that the dome issue is more complicated than I really want to get into today. I also say these things realizing that this issue is now coming to a head and there’s not a Vikings fan out there that can ignore the issue any more. So here are a couple of things I think every fan can do. First of all join the Minnesota Momentum group at www.minnesotamomentum.com. This will keep you informed on what is going on as well as letting this group know you stand with them and that you want the Vikings to stay in Minnesota and you want the Vikings to get a fare stadium deal to ensure the best Viking football for years to come. The second thing you can do is: when you’re out there blogging – mention that the Vikings need to stay in Minnesota and to do that you support a new stadium deal for the Vikings. And while you’re blogging – mention Mick Tingelhoff and Jim Marshall still need to get into the Hall of Fame.
I would like to congratulate E.J. Henderson for being voted the Vikings Man of the Year.
The last bit of team news is that Brad Childress had his contract extended and with the way the team is playing (and acting) he deserved it. Congratulations to Brad also.
Club News: I would like to thank everyone for supporting our can food drive this year. We collected the most food in club history – every one of you can give yourselves a hand, thanks.
Remember that this Sunday’s game is now a 1:15 start time.
The Arizona game has been changed to the Sunday night game. This will be a 5:30 PM start Pacific Time. All club members attending this game – check your plans to make sure this time change doesn’t create an issue for yourself.
With some sadder news – I need to cancel the dinner this year. In an unfortunate turn of events, our revenues at this time will not support the dinner. We can do more good by postponing this event this year. Sorry about this.
Sidney Rice Number 18 Wide Receiver Height: 6-4 Weight: 202 Age: 22 Born: 9/1/1986 in Gaffney, SC College: South Carolina
NFL Hall of Famers: Bob Lilly was the Dallas Cowboys' first-ever draft choice in 1961. For the next 14 seasons, his play on defense was so outstanding that he became popularly known as "Mr. Cowboy." As a tackle, Lilly was a first-team All-NFL choice every year from 1964 through 1969, then again in 1971, and 1972.
Extremely durable, Bob played in 196 consecutive regular-season games. His only career "miss" came in the 1973 championship game with Minnesota, when a leg injury put him on the bench. Post-season play became a way of life for the 6-5, 260-pound Olney, Texas, native. The Cowboys played in seven NFL/NFC title contests in an eight-year period from 1966 through 1973 and also in Super Bowls V and VI. Bob also was selected to play in 11 Pro Bowls. He is the first player who spent his entire career with the Cowboys to be elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Fun Facts and Quotes: Do you know your Vikings? He earned 9 All Pro selections He played alongside Karl Kassulke He holds the record for most interceptions in the NFL (81)
He is in the Hall of Fame
Paul Krause
Did you know that Page, Eller and Marshall started in 136 consecutive games?
Did you know Joe Namath of the New York Jets had the first 4,000 yard passing season (1967)?
See you all at Northwood,
Wm. R. Martin President Southern California Viking Club
Southern California Viking Club
2011 - Our 25th Anniversary • SCVC.com
