SB Nation User Blog: purplegrey

1969 Minnesota Vikings

purplegrey — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 21:06:15 -0000

I just finished watching "Missing Rings-The 1969 Minnesota Vikings" on the NFL Network (between blogs). It brought back a helluva lot of good memories of when I first became a Vikings fan and the many reasons why I did so to begin with. This group set the standard for the defensive juggernaut that future Vikings teams were famous for, coining the nickname, "Purple People Eaters". It's seen through the eyes of three of it's primary people that year; quarterback Joe Kapp, head coach Bud Grant, and defensive end Jim Marshall. Going game by game through the season you see why this was one of the greatest defenses ever in the NFL. The highlights are superb, from the rugged style of Kapp, to the many snowy settings of the old Metropolitan Stadium in Bloomington, and their dominance through the playoffs to the Super Bowl. I especially like the part when Jim Marshall was commenting on a large Viking statue at one end of the stadium and how when the sun would set, the wind would pick up, and the players would begin chanting, "Odin! God of War! Odin! God of War!" At that time both teams were on the same sideline and the other teams would look at the Vikes like they were crazy. Marshall laughed that it was a huge psychological edge but in reality the only reason they did it was because it was getting cold. Classic. I encourage any Vikings fan who hasn't seen it or wasn't alive during that period to do so. It will deepen your understanding and appreciation of why we consider ourselves the most die-hard in the league...SKOL VIKINGS!!!!

Dallas Win Opens All Kinds Of Doors...

purplegrey — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 04:20:56 -0000

While the clock is running down on the Cowboys-Giants game, I'm thinking that this win by Dallas gives us all kinds of possibilities to maybe secure a bye week in the playoffs. The Giants will be 11-3 with two games to go. Neither of them breathers. They have Carolina coming to New York next week in what will likely be for homefield through the playoffs and then travel to us for the final game. From what I saw tonight, anybody that thinks this team will be okay without Plaxico is nuts. New York could very well lose their remaining games and limp into the playoffs. Seeing Eli running for his life reminded me of what we did to him last year. Now you have the Panthers who also have an 11-3 record. They could possibly lose their last two games as well as they have to travel to New York and finish up in New Orleans. We all know that they aren't the team on the road that they are at home. The Giants and Saints could pull off wins. What I'm getting at is...If either of these two teams lose out and the Vikes win their last two, we should get the 2nd seed in the playoffs. I like our chances of doing that a whole lot better since we are at home for the rest of the year. Any other thoughts on this?

Vikings Thanksgiving Day Games

purplegrey — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 02:16:44 -0000

Anybody out there have any stories on the Thanksgiving Day games the Vikings have played in over the years? I can think of at least five since 1969. That year the Vikings played the Lions in a blizzard at the old Tiger Stadium and won 27-0. The highlight of the game was a lateral by a Viking defender to another on a touchdown run off a fumble or interception (I'm getting old, can't remember which one or players involved). This highlight still makes its way into footage shown of the Purple People Eaters on NFL films from time to time. The Vikings also played the Cowboys during the 1987 season and won that one in overtime. The Lions were brave enough to schedule the Purple again in the early 90's and again got totally dominated 20-3. We didn't see another game on Turkey Day until 1998 when Randy Moss went berserk on the Cowboys for three touchdowns and a 44-34 win. The last time the Vikes were on prime time for the big day was in 1990 when they once again beat the Cowboys in a driving rainstorm. That's five appearances and five wins. I guess that's why they're not scheduled anymore. It seems to guarantee a loss for the home team in Detroit or Dallas. Any thoughts out there?

RIP...Karl Kassulke

purplegrey — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 03:38:39 -0000

I just wanted to drop this sad note that former All Pro safety Karl Kassulke died of a heart attack. Karl played on the famous "Purple People Eaters" defense of the late 60's and early 70's. He and his counterpart Paul Krause were one of the best safety tandems in the NFL during that era. He was known to be a hard hitter and a fierce competitor. Tragically, his career was cut short when he was paralyzed in a motorcycle accident in 1973. Please remember him and his family in your prayers.