Vikings Celebrate 50Th Anniversary of 1969 Team, Nfl 100 Fantennial Weekend
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE VIKINGS CELEBRATE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF 1969 TEAM, NFL 100 FANTENNIAL WEEKEND NFL 100 Fantennial Celebration set for Saturday; Vikings to recognize 1969 team at halftime of Sunday’s game Eagan, Minn. (September 20, 2019) – The Vikings will be one of five teams celebrating the NFL’s 100th season in Week 3 with the Vikings Fantennial Weekend presented by Courtyard by Marriott kicking off on Friday night at TCO Stadium and culminating with a special halftime ceremony during Sunday’s game against the Oakland Raiders recognizing the 50th anniversary of the 1969 NFL Championship team. Vikings Fantennial Weekend Presented by Courtyard by Marriott From Friday, September 20, through Sunday, September 22, the Vikings will host Fantennial Weekend presented by Courtyard by Marriott as a celebration of the NFL’s 100th season. Fans have the opportunity to attend Vikings activities throughout the weekend, including events featuring Vikings Legends as the Fantennial celebration coincides with the annual Vikings Legends Weekend, with more than 100 former players and coaches reuniting in Minnesota. Friday, September 20 Shakopee hosts Eden Prairie in high school football at TCO Stadium in the first of three Vikings Prep Spotlight presented by FVP in 2019. Saturday, September 21 NFL 100 Fantennial Celebration at Mall of America Rotunda and Northeast Court Time: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Activities: Family-friendly fan fest, Q&A and autograph sessions with Vikings Legends, photo opportunities with current players, historical highlights of the Vikings and NFL, opportunities to win exclusive Vikings experiences, prizes and Vikings vs. Packers tickets. Sunday, September 22 More than 100 Vikings Legends will be on hand to celebrate the 1969 team with an on- field halftime ceremony during the Oakland Raiders vs. Minnesota Vikings game. For more details, visit Vikings.com/NFL100. Gjallarhorn Sounder At the Gjallarhorn on Sunday will be the Purple People Eaters (DT Alan Page, DE Carl Eller, DE Jim Marshall and DT Gary Larsen) with Marshall sounding the horn. Forming the Vikings defensive line from the late 1960s to 1970s and members of the 1969 NFL Championship team, the Purple People Eaters combined for 19 Pro Bowl appearances and two Hall of Fame selections (Page and Eller). The sixth overall pick in the 1964 draft, Eller was a six-time Pro Bowler and earned five First Team All-Pro selections during his Hall of Fame career. Page, the 15th overall pick in the 1967 draft, appeared in the Pro Bowl nine times and was tabbed a First Team All- Pro on six occasions en route to the Hall of Fame. Marshall and Larsen each made Pro Bowl rosters two times during their careers and Marshall earned Second Team All-Pro honors on three occasions. Honorary Captain The honorary captain will be former Vikings quarterback Joe Kapp. Kapp threw for Minnesota from 1967-69, leading the Vikings to their first playoff appearance in 1968. In 1969, he threw seven touchdown passes against the Colts and tied the all-time record for touchdown passes in a single game. After leading the team to the NFL Championship title, Kapp was tabbed a 1969 Pro Bowl selection and later named one of the 50 greatest Vikings in franchise history. Halftime Entertainment Elements: 1969 Minnesota Vikings Halftime of Sunday’s game will feature a special ceremony honoring members of the historic 1969 Vikings team. This year marks the 50th Anniversary of the 1969 squad, which won the final NFL Championship game and was the last team in history to possess the Ed Thorp Memorial Trophy. The following members from the 1969 team will be in attendance (attendees are subject to change): John Beasley Joe Kapp Steve Smith Bobby Bryant Kent Kramer Milt Sunde Fred Cox Paul Krause Mick Tingleoff Carl Eller Gary Larsen Lonnie Warwick Bob Grim Bob Lee Gene Washington Dale Hackbart Jim Marshall Ed White John Henderson David Osborn Bud Grant Clinton Jones Alan Page Jerry Burns Hometown Hero Presented by U.S. Bank Sunday’s Hometown Hero will be former Vikings linebacker Chad Greenway, who began the Lead the Way Foundation in 2008. The foundation focuses on providing daily support and life-changing experiences to seriously ill and physically challenged children throughout the Twin Cities. The foundation consists of four different programs: TendHER Heart Luncheon: Hosted every year to honor the mothers of critically and chronically ill children for all the sacrifices they make caring for their child. Field of Dreams: Consists of a weekend getaway at Mall of America filled with activities, tickets and food for critically and chronically ill children and their families. Chad’s Locker: Gives patients and families access to electronics to use during their stay in the hospital. There are eight lockers in eight different hospitals ranging between Minnesota, Iowa, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Handicapped-Accessible Playground: Provides an outdoor escape for patients and their families during their hospital stay. There is one located at Ronald McDonald House Oak Street and one at Children’s Minnesota. The U.S. Bank Hometown Heroes program honors individuals who have gone to extraordinary measure to make positive differences in the Minnesota community. .