Events in Sport
- 1960-01-28 NFL announces Dallas Cowboys (1960) & Minnesota Vikings (1961) franchises
- 1960-12-27 1961 NFL Draft: Tommy Mason from University of Tulane first pick by Minnesota Vikings
- 1961-09-17 Minnesota Vikings' 1st NFL game (beat Chicago Bears 37-13)
15th NFL Pro Bowl
1965-01-10 15th NFL Pro Bowl, LA Memorial Coliseum: Western Conference beats Eastern Conference, 34-14; MVPs: Fran Tarkenton, Minnesota Vikings, QB; Terry Barr, Detroit Lions, DB
- 1968-01-30 1968 NFL Draft: Ron Yary from USC first pick by Minnesota Vikings
- 1969-09-28 NFL Minnesota Vikings QB Joe Kapp passes for 7 touchdowns vs Baltimore Colts in 52-14 home win
- 1970-01-04 NFL Championship, Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington: Minnesota Vikings beat Cleveland Browns, 27-7
- 1970-01-11 Super Bowl IV, Tulane Stadium, New Orleans, LA: KC Chiefs beat Minnesota Vikings, 23-7; MVP: Len Dawson, Kansas City, QB
- 1973-12-30 NFC Championship, Texas Stadium, Irving: Minnesota Vikings beat Dallas Cowboys, 27-10
- 1974-01-13 Super Bowl VIII, Rice Stadium, Houston, TX: Miami Dolphins beat Minnesota Vikings, 24-7; MVP: Larry Csonka, Miami, RB
- 1974-12-29 NFC Championship, Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington: Minnesota Vikings beat Los Angeles Rams, 14-10
- 1975-01-12 Super Bowl IX, Tulane Stadium, New Orleans, LA: Pittsburgh Steelers beat Minnesota Vikings, 16-6; MVP: Franco Harris, Pittsburgh, RB
- 1975-12-28 "The Hail Mary", with 32 seconds left in the NFC Divisional Playoff Game, Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach throws a legendary 50-yard winning touchdown pass to Drew Pearson to defeat the Minnesota Vikings, and the "Hail Mary" play gains national recognition
- 1976-12-26 NFC Championship, Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington: Minnesota Vikings beat Los Angeles Rams, 24-13
Raider Win Over Vikings
1977-01-09 Super Bowl XI, Rose Bowl, Pasadena, CA: Oakland Raiders beat Minnesota Vikings, 32-14; MVP: Fred Biletnikoff, Oakland, WR
- 1978-01-01 NFC Championship, Texas Stadium, Irving: Dallas Cowboys beat Minnesota Vikings, 23-6
- 1979-01-29 NFL Pro Bowl, Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum: NFC beats AFC, 13-7; MVP: Ahmad Rashād, Minnesota Vikings, WR
- 1980-12-14 Minnesota Vikings pass for 456 yards against Cleveland Browns, winning 28-24
- 1983-01-03 Dallas running back Tony Dorsett sets NFL record with 99-yard rush in the Cowboys' 31-27 defeat at Minnesota Vikings
- 1983-08-06 First NFL exhibition game in Europe; Minnesota Vikings beat St Louis Cardinals 28-10 at London's Wembley Stadium
- 1983-11-06 Tampa Bay Buccaneer James Wilder rushes for 219 yards vs Minnesota Vikings
- 1988-01-17 NFC Championship, RFK Stadium, Washington, D.C.: Washington Redskins beat Minnesota Vikings, 17-10
Sports History
1989-10-12 Dallas running back Herschel Walker is traded from Cowboys to Minnesota Vikings for 5 players and 6 future draft picks including future stars Emmitt Smith, Russell Maryland, Kevin Smith and Darren Woodson
- 1992-08-24 NFL Cleveland Browns suffer their worst pre-season loss, 56-3, to Minnesota Vikings
- 1998-02-05 Author Tom Clancy confirms he signed agreement to purchase Minnesota Vikings for slightly more than $200 million, an NFL franchise record
- 1999-01-17 NFC Championship, Metrodome, Minneapolis: Atlanta Falcons beat Minnesota Vikings, 30-27 (OT)
NFL Pro Bowl
2000-02-06 NFL Pro Bowl, Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, HI: NFC beats AFC, 51-31; MVP: Randy Moss, Minnesota Vikings, WR, HI
- 2001-01-14 NFC Championship, Giants Stadium, East Rutherford: New York Giants beat Minnesota Vikings, 41-0
- 2002-09-08 Rookie quarterback David Carr throws for 2 TDs as the Houston Texans beat Dallas Cowboys 19-10 to become only the 2nd expansion team (1961 Minnesota Vikings) to win their inaugural game
- 2002-09-29 Seattle running back Shaun Alexander sets NFL record for most touchdowns in a half with 5 in 1st half of 48-23 win v Minnesota Vikings at Seahawks Stadium; runs for 4 plus 80-yard reception
- 2008-02-10 NFL Pro Bowl, Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, HI: NFC beats AFC, 42-30; MVP: Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings, RB
- 2010-01-24 NFC Championship, Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, LA: New Orleans Saints beat Minnesota Vikings, 31-28 (OT)
- 2013-01-27 NFL Pro Bowl, Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii: NFC beats AFC, 62-35; MVP: Kyle Rudolph, Minnesota Vikings, TE
- 2018-01-21 NFC Championship, Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia: Philadelphia Eagles beat Minnesota Vikings, 38-7
- 2020-12-25 New Orleans running back Alvin Kamara equals Ernie Nevers 1929 NFL record of 6 touchdowns in a match in the Saints' 52-33 win over the Minnesota Vikings at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome
- 2021-11-28 Dan Campbell records his first victory as head coach of the Detroit Lions with a win against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 13
- 2022-12-17 Minnesota Vikings recover from 33-0 down at halftime to beat Indianapolis Colts, 39-36 in overtime at US Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN; biggest comeback in NFL history
Birthdays in Sport
- 1926-03-15 Norm Van Brocklin, American Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback (NFL MVP 1960; First-team All-Pro 1960; 9 × Pro Bowl; LA Rams, Philadelphia Eagles) and coach (Minnesota Vikings, Atlanta Falcons), born in Parade, South Dakota (d. 1983)
- 1927-01-24 Jerry Burns, American football coach (University of Iowa 1961-65; Minnesota Vikings 1986-91), born in Detroit, Michigan (d. 2021)
- 1927-05-20 Harry "Bud" Grant, American Pro Football HOF coach (NFL Coach of the Year 1969 Minnesota Vikings; 4 x Grey Cup C'ship Winnipeg Blue Bombers) and basketball forward (NBA C'ship 1950 Minnesota Lakers), born in Superior, Wisconsin (d. 2023) [1]
- 1928-12-31 Hugh McElhenny, American Pro/College Football HOF halfback (University of Washington; 5 × First-team All-Pro; 6 × Pro Bowl; Minnesota Vikings, SF 49ers), born in Los Angeles, California (d. 2022)
- 1938-12-11 Fred Cox, American football kicker (NFL C'ship 1969; Pro Bowl 1970; Minnesota Vikings all-time leading scorer), born in Monongahela, Pennsylvania (d. 2019)
- 1939-03-19 Joe Kapp, American College / Canadian Football HOF quarterback (UC Berkeley; NFL C'ship & Pro Bowl 1969 Minnesota Vikings; CFL Grey Cup 1964 BC Lions; CFL All-Star 1963, 64), born in Santa Fe, New Mexico (d. 2023)
Fran Tarkenton (84 years old)
1940-02-03 NFL quarterback (NY Giants, Minnesota Vikings), born in Richmond, Virginia
- 1940-05-22 Mick Tingelhoff, American Pro Football HOF center (6 × Pro Bowl; 5 × First-team All-Pro; Minnesota Vikings), born in Lexington, Nebraska (d. 2021)
- 1942-01-25 Carl Eller, American College-Pro Football HOF defensive end (Uni of Minnesota; 5×First-team All-Pro; 6xPro-Bowl; NFL Defensive Player of the Year 1971; Minnesota Vikings), born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina
- 1942-02-01 Milt Sunde, American NFL guard (Pro Bowl 1966; NFL Champion 1969; Minnesota Vikings), born in Minneapolis, Minnesota (d. 2020)
- 1945-08-07 Alan Page, American football defensive tackle (NFL MVP 1971; 6×First-team All-Pro; 9×Pro Bowl; Minnesota Vikings) and Associate Justice Minnesota Supreme Court (1993–2015), born in Canton, Ohio
- 1946-07-16 Ron Yary, American football player (Minnesota Vikings), born in Chicago, Illinois
- 1949-11-19 Ahmad Rashad [Bobby Moore], American NFL receiver (Minnesota Vikings) and sportscaster, born in Portland, Oregon
- 1950-03-31 Ed Marinaro, American actor (Hill Street Blues - "Ofc Joe Coffey"; Laverne & Shirley, 1980-81 - "Sonny"), and NFL running back, 1972-77 (Minnesota Vikings and 2 other teams), born in New York City
- 1950-09-20 Matt Blair, American football linebacker (6 × Pro Bowl 1977–82; First-team All-Pro 1980; Minnesota Vikings), born in Hilo, Hawaii (d. 2020)
- 1950-10-26 Chuck Foreman, American NFL running back (Minnesota Vikings), born in Frederick, Maryland
- 1952-01-17 Charlie Johnson, American football defensive tackle (Pro Bowl 1979-81; All Pro 1980; Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings), born in West Columbia, Texas (d. 2021)
- 1955-03-07 Tommy Kramer, American College Football HOF quarterback (Rice University; NFL Comeback Player of the Year & Pro Bowl 1986 Minnesota Vikings), born in San Antonio, Texas
- 1959-02-01 Wade Wilson, American NFL quarterback, 1981-1998 (Dallas Cowboys - Super Bowl 1995, Minnesota Vikings - Pro Bowl 1988, and 3 other teams), born in Greenville, Texas (d. 2019)
- 1961-02-22 Mike Morris, American NFL center (Minnesota Vikings), born in Centerville, Iowa
- 1961-07-31 Chris Hinton, American NFL guard (Indianapolis Colts), born in Chicago, Illinois
- 1961-10-16 Chris Doleman, American Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive end (8 × Pro Bowl; 3 × First-team All-Pro; Minnesota Vikings), born in Indianapolis, Indiana (d. 2020)
- 1963-02-24 Fuad Reveiz, NFL kicker (Minnesota Vikings)
- 1963-03-27 Randall Cunningham, American College Football HOF quarterback (UNLV; 4 × Pro Bowl; First-Team All-Pro 1998; Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings), born in Santa Barbara, California
- 1963-04-04 Jack Del Rio, American football player, NFL linebacker (Minnesota Vikings), born in Castro Valley, California
- 1964-12-15 Jerry Ball, American football defensive tackle (Pro Bowl 1989, 90, 91; First Team All Pro 1991; Detroit Lions; LA/Oakland Raiders), born in Beaumont, Texas
- 1964-12-19 Randall McDaniel, American College-Pro Football HOF guard (Arizona State Uni; !2 x Pro-Bowl; 7 × First-team All-Pro; Minnesota Vikings, TB Buccaneers), born in Phoenix, Arizona
- 1965-09-21 Richard Brown, NFL linebacker (Minnesota Vikings)
- 1965-10-24 Donald Frank, American NFL cornerback (Minnesota Vikings), born in Edgecombe County, North Carolina
- 1965-11-25 Cris Carter, Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver (8 × Pro Bowl 1993–2000; First-team All-Pro 1994, 99; NFL receiving TD leader 1995, 97, 99; Minnesota Vikings), born in Troy, Ohio
- 1966-01-20 Rich Gannon, American NFL quarterback (Pro Bowl 1999–2002; First-team All-Pro 2000, 02; NFL MVP 2002; Minnesota Vikings, Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders), born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- 1966-04-05 Scott Dill, American NFL tackle and guard (Tampa Bay Bucs, Minnesota Vikings), born in Birmingham, Alabama
- 1967-08-12 Andrew Glover, American NFL tight end (Oakland Raiders, Minnesota Vikings), born in Gonzales, Louisiana
- 1967-08-21 Tuineau Alipate, Tongan-born NFL and CFL player (Frankfurt Galaxy, Minnesota Vikings), born in Tonga (d. 2021)
- 1967-09-20 Martin Harrison, American NFL defensive end (Minnesota Vikings), born in Livermore, California
- 1967-12-08 Ron George, American linebacker (Minnesota Vikings), born in Heidelberg, Germany
- 1967-12-12 John Randle, American NFL defensive tackle (Minnesota Vikings), born in Mumford, Texas
- 1967-12-29 Henry Jones, American football Safety (Buffalo Bills, Minnesota Vikings), born in St. Louis, Missouri
- 1968-02-21 Terry Allen, American NFL running back (Minnesota Vikings, Wash Redskins), born in Commerce, Georgia
- 1968-02-29 Bryce Paup, American football linebacker (First-team All-Pro & NFL Defensive Player of the Year 1995; Pro Bowl 1994–97; GB Packers, Buffalo Bills, Jacksonville Jaguars, Minnesota Vikings), born in Jefferson, Iowa
- 1968-05-15 Leroy Hoard, American NFL running back, 1990-99 (Cleveland Browns, Minnesota Vikings, and 2 other teams), born in New Orleans, Louisiana
- 1968-07-11 Esera Tuaolo, NFL defensive tackle (Minnesota Vikings)
- 1968-09-13 Brad Johnson, American NFL quarterback (Minnesota Vikings), born in Marietta, Georgia
- 1968-11-09 Jeff Brady, American NFL linebacker (Minnesota Vikings), born in Cincinnati, Ohio
- 1968-12-12 Chris Walsh, American football wide receiver (Minnesota Vikings; sues NFL over head injuries 2011), born in Cleveland, Ohio
- 1969-01-05 David Dixon, NFL guard (Minnesota Vikings), born in Papakura, New Zealand
- 1969-01-15 Leonard Wheeler, American NFL safety (Cincinnati Bengals, Minnesota Vikings), born in Toccoa, Georgia
- 1969-02-03 Jeff Christy, American football center (Super Bowl XXXVII Tamps Bay Buccaneers; Pro Bowl 1998, 99, 2000; First Team All Pro 1999 Minnesota Vikings), born in Natrona Heights, Pennsylvania
- 1969-02-14 Roy Barker, American NFL defensive end (Minnesota Vikings, SF 49ers), born in New York City
- 1969-12-16 Charles Mincy, American NFL safety, 1991-99 (Kansas City Chiefs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and 2 other teams), born in Los Angeles, California
- 1970-01-06 John Gerak, NFL tight end/guide (Minnesota Vikings, St Louis Rams), born in Youngstown, Ohio
- 1970-09-18 Everett Lindsay, American NFL guard and center (Minnesota Vikings), born in Burlington, Iowa
- 1970-11-30 Robert Griffith, NFL strong safety (Minnesota Vikings)
- 1970-12-01 Todd Steussie, American football guard / tackle (Pro Bowl & Second-team All-Pro 1997, 98; Minnesota Vikings), born in Canoga Park, California
- 1971-05-11 Corey Fuller, NFL cornerback (Minnesota Vikings)
- 1971-08-02 Fernando Smith, American NFL defensive end (Minnesota Vikings), born in Flint, Michigan
- 1971-10-17 Byron Chamberlain, American football tight end (Denver Broncos, Minnesota Vikings), born in Honolulu, Hawaii
- 1971-10-25 Lee Gissendaner, NFL/WLAF receiver (Minnesota Vikings, Scottish Claymores), born in Akron, Ohio
- 1971-12-08 James Stewart, American NFL running back (Minnesota Vikings), born in Vero Beach, Florida
- 1971-12-17 Tony Richardson, American football fullback (Pro Bowl 2003, 04, 07; KC Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings; Walter Payton Award 2010 NY Jets), born in Frankfurt, Germany
- 1972-01-24 Jay Walker, American football quarterback (Minnesota Vikings), born in Los Angeles, California
- 1972-03-04 Robert Smith, American NFL running back (Minnesota Vikings), born in Euclid, Ohio
- 1972-06-24 Mitch Berger, punter (Minnesota Vikings)
- 1972-10-21 Orlando Thomas, NFL safety (Minnesota Vikings)
- 1972-11-19 David Palmer, American NFL wide receiver (Minnesota Vikings 1994-2002), born in Birmingham, Alabama
- 1972-12-17 Dewayne Washington, cornerback (Minnesota Vikings)
- 1972-12-27 Dewayne Washington, NFL cornerback (Minnesota Vikings)
- 1973-02-24 Harold Morrow, full back (Minnesota Vikings)
- 1973-04-03 Greg DeLong, American football player, NFL tight end (Minnesota Vikings), born in Orefield, Pennsylvania
- 1973-10-19 Robert Tate, wide receiver (Minnesota Vikings)
- 1973-12-18 Keith Washington, NFL defensive end (Minnesota Vikings, Baltimore Ravens)
- 1974-02-09 Orlando Bobo, guard (Minnesota Vikings)
- 1974-03-18 Torrian Gray, American NFL football safety, 1997-99 (Minnesota Vikings), and collegiate coach, born in Bartow, Florida
- 1974-05-08 Korey Stringer, American NFL football tackle, 1995-2000 (Minnesota Vikings), born in Warren, Ohio (d. 2001)
- 1974-05-23 Duane Clemons, American NFL linebacker (Minnesota Vikings), born in Riverside, California
- 1979-09-23 Bryant McKinnie, American NFL Offensive Tackle (Minnesota Vikings), born in Woodbury, New Jersey
- 1984-06-14 Lorenzo Booker, American NFL football player, 2007-2012 (Minnesota Vikings and 2 other teams), born in Oxnard, California
- 1985-05-19 (Marcellous) "Tyrell" Johnson, American NFL football safety, 2008-12 (Minnesota Vikings, Detroit Tigers), born in Rison, Arkansas
- 1988-08-19 Kirk Cousin, American NFL player (Minnesota Vikings), born in Barrington, Illinois
- 1993-11-29 Stefon Diggs, American NFL football wide receiver, 2015-present (Minnesota Vikings, Buffalo Bills), born in Alexandria, Virginia
- 1999-06-16 Justin Jefferson, American NFL player (Minnesota Vikings), born in St. Rose, Louisiana
Weddings in Sport
- 2012-12-17 Minnesota Vikings football quarterback Christian Ponder (25) weds ESPN reporter Samantha Steele (27) in Hudson, Wisconsin
Deaths in Sport
- 1983-05-02 Norm Van Brocklin, American Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback (NFL MVP 1960; First-team All-Pro 1960; 9 × Pro Bowl; LA Rams, Philadelphia Eagles) and coach (Minnesota Vikings, Atlanta Falcons), dies from a heart attack at 57
- 2001-08-01 Korey Stringer, American NFL football tackle, 1995-2000 (Minnesota Vikings), dies of complications from heat stroke at 27
- 2019-02-01 Wade Wilson, American NFL quarterback, 1981-1998 (Dallas Cowboys - Super Bowl 1995, Minnesota Vikings - Pro Bowl 1988, and 3 other teams), dies of complications from Type 1 diabetes on his 60th birthday
- 2019-11-20 Fred Cox, American football kicker (NFL C'ship 1969; Pro Bowl 1970; Minnesota Vikings all-time leading scorer), dies at 80
- 2020-01-28 Chris Doleman, American Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive end (8 × Pro Bowl; 3 × First-team All-Pro; Minnesota Vikings), dies of brain cancer at 58
- 2020-04-21 Milt Sunde, American NFL guard (Pro Bowl 1966; NFL Champion 1969; Minnesota Vikings), dies from Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease at 78
- 2020-10-22 Matt Blair, American football linebacker (6 × Pro Bowl 1977–82; First-team All-Pro 1980; Minnesota Vikings), dies from dementia complications at 70
- 2021-05-12 Jerry Burns, American football coach (University of Iowa 1961-65; Minnesota Vikings 1986-91), dies at 94
- 2021-08-13 Charlie Johnson, American football defensive tackle (Pro Bowl 1979-81; All Pro 1980; Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings), dies at 69
- 2021-09-11 Mick Tingelhoff, American Pro Football HOF center (6 × Pro Bowl; 5 × First-team All-Pro; Minnesota Vikings), dies at 81
- 2021-10-15 Tuineau Alipate, Tongan-born NFL and CFL player (Frankfurt Galaxy, Minnesota Vikings), dies at 54
- 2022-06-17 Hugh McElhenny, American Pro/College Football HOF halfback (University of Washington; 5 × First-team All-Pro; 6 × Pro Bowl; Minnesota Vikings, SF 49ers), dies at 93
- 2023-03-11 Harry "Bud" Grant, American Pro Football HOF coach (NFL Coach of the Year 1969 Minnesota Vikings; 4 x Grey Cup C'ship Winnipeg Blue Bombers) and basketball forward (NBA C'ship 1950 Minnesota Lakers), dies at 95 [1]
- 2023-05-08 Joe Kapp, American College / Canadian Football HOF quarterback (UC Berkeley; NFL C'ship & Pro Bowl 1969 Minnesota Vikings; CFL Grey Cup 1964 BC Lions; CFL All-Star 1963, 64), dies at 85