Dear Vikes
Written by Michael Howe Friday, 22 January 2010 08:00
Should the Vikings beat the New Orleans Saints on Sunday and advance to Super Bowl XLIV, it will be the greatest sporting moment, as a fan, in my life. Yes even surpassing NDSU’s run to the Big Dance last March.
I am too young to remember the ‘87 and ‘91 World Series, thus missing out on the only successes a Minnesota professional sports team has ever had. People of my age group have only experienced heartache.
I remember the ‘98 NFC Championship game like it was yesterday. Wearing my Cris Carter jersey along with my plastic helmet, there was no doubt in my mind Randy Moss would lead the Vikings to the Super Bowl. My whole sixth grade class would have needed Ritalin for the next month to calm us down.
Gary Anderson had a change of plans by missing his first field goal in two years and I cried for the next hour. I have never been able to trust anyone who wears the number one and a single bar facemask for the rest of my life.
The ‘00 NFC Championship was more of a “Wow why am I Viking fan?” moment for me then the lost 41-0 to the Giants. Since ’00, the Vikings have never been even close to contending for a championship until now.
As the past decade went on, there were more close calls. The Wild made a surprising run through the NHL playoffs in ’03, only to lose in the Western Conference Finals. I would call that team more of a success than a failure. Just a “happy to be here,” mentality among the fans.
The Timberwolves had the best record in the Western Conference in 2004 and advanced to the conference finals. Kevin Garnett was the MVP and he finally had talented squad surrounding him. But really, did anyone honestly think they would get past Shaq and Kobe?
What I’m saying is, for Minnesota sports fans born since the mid-1980s, we haven’t witnessed anything. One could argue a Minnesota sports fan has never witnessed anything, regardless of age. But two World Championships in a five-year span has to count for something.
Can this weekend be different? I realize a victory would only put the Vikings into the Super Bowl, but to have the opportunity to watch the Vikings win a Super Bowl – something my elders have promised me would never happen. It would be something I would never forget. But unfortunately, history shows I may want to forget it all and jump off the Metrodome roof.
Dear Ryan Longwell: I don’t think I’ll be able to handle another one.
