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3 Fan Code of Conduct 5 Big Pics: Week 16

game-day guide 8 Today’s Game 11 Today’s Promotions 13 Vikings Snapshot 14 Bears Snapshot 16 Depth Charts & Rosters FEATURES 19 Timeout with Odenigbo 22 Stefon Diggs: The Man in Motion 29 Milestones & Honor Roll 30 Holiday Roundup 35 Purple Pups: Ben Leber 39 Jerry Reichow Calls it a Wrap

extras 43 NFL 100 - Joey Sternaman 44 Foundation 47 Cheerleader of the Game 48 Viktor the Viking 51 U.S. Bank Stadium Maps 52 Concession Offerings

EDITOR: Craig Peters COPY EDITOR: Lindsey Young WRITERS: Craig Peters, Eric Smith & Lindsey Young ART DIRECTION & DESIGN: Taylar Sievert, Alicia Dreyer, Elizabeth Bazany, Katelyn Krebsbach & Jackie Ramacher PHOTOGRAPHY: Andy Kenutis, Travis Ellison, Dane Kuhn, Kam Nedd & the Associated Press PUBLISHED BY: GameDay Sports; [email protected] WANT COFFEE? POPCORN? BEER? ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: THE VIKINGS CHATBOT CAN HELP! [email protected] © 2019 by Minnesota Vikings Football, Use the camera app on your smartphone LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written consent to scan and find your favorites. of the publisher is prohibited.

2019 vikings playbook 1

WE ARE VIKINGS, NOT BARBARIANS REPORT We are confident that our fans lead the NFL in enthusiasm, support, hospitality and ISSUES sportsmanship. Our image is shaped not only by our players, coaches and employees, but by our Text VIKES (space), the fans as well. Our goal is to create a high-energy environment to lend support to our team, while issue and location to: maintaining a family-oriented atmosphere.

TO ENSURE that all fans have a pleasant game-day • Sitting or standing in the aisles experience, each patron should act responsibly and be • Entering or attempting to enter the field of play considerate of others. Unruly behavior will not be tolerated • Failure to follow instructions of stadium security and, in some cases, might be deemed grounds for personnel dismissal from U.S. Bank Stadium. These cases include, • Entering the stadium with any prohibited items VIKINGS CHATBOT but are not limited to, the following: • Harassment of visiting-team fans Use the camera app on • Being under the influence of drugs or alcohol Season Ticket Owners are responsible for the actions • Underage drinking of any individual using their tickets. Any of the above your smartphone to scan • Actions that are harmful to or endanger others behavior by anyone using an account owner’s ticket(s) and start your chat. • Throwing items of any kind may be cause for non-renewal of ticket privileges. Vikings • Using foul or abusive language and/or gestures management and security reserve the right to deem an • Displaying inconsiderate behavior toward others act or exhibited behavior as inappropriate and take action, • Disorderly conduct based on available information and circumstances. Thank • Wearing obscene or indecent clothing you for making U.S. Bank Stadium an enjoyable and • Smoking in non-designated areas friendly atmosphere to watch Vikings football!

The Vikings strongly encourage fans to not bring any type of bags, but should the need arise, fans will be able to carry the following style and size bag, package or container at stadium plaza areas, stadium gates, or when approaching queue CLEAR PLASTIC BAG SMALL CLUTCH BAGS ONE GALLON BAG lines of fans awaiting entry into the stadium: No larger than 12” x 6” x 12” No larger than 4.5” x 6.5” Clear plastic freezer bag

2019 vikings playbook 3

week 16 big pics

01

vs green bay

The Vikings were unable to fully capitalize on three Packers turnovers in a 23-10 loss on

Green Bay locked up the NFC North, and Minnesota became cemented in the No. 6 seed in the NFC, regardless of this week’s action.

01 Stefon Diggs beat 1-on-1 coverage by Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander for a 21-yard 02 touchdown. Diggs created separation at the line of scrimmage and finished the catch in the end zone.

02 Anthony Harris intercepted Aaron Rodgers on the opening play of the second quarter. The pick was Harris’ sixth of the season and just the third tossed by Rodgers in 2019. 03

03 want more? Eric Kendricks returns the first Check out ‘Through the Lens’ presented by of two he recovered, Andersen Windows and Doors on vikings.com taking the ball to the 10-yard line on the third play of the or follow Official Team Photographer game. Minnesota, however, Andy Kenutis @vikingsphotog on Instagram. settled for a short field goal.

2019 vikings playbook 5 big pics week 16

04

06

05

04 | Stefon Diggs records a 28-yard reception in 05 | Stephen Weatherly records one of 06 | Ifeadi Odenigbo tallied his sixth sack of the third quarter to convert a third-and-18. three Vikings sacks on the night. the season and third in four games.

6 2019 vikings playbook

The Vikings won the NFC North in 2017, and the Bears followed in 2018, but this matchup will not affect the division standings this season. Minnesota will finish in second place, and Chicago is in third, regardless of today’s game. Green Bay wrapped up the division last week, and Detroit will finish in fourth. The Vikings are in the NFC Playoffs for the third time in six seasons under Head Coach and 30th time in the team’s 59 seasons. What remains unknown, however, is where Minnesota is headed to face the No. 3 seed on Wild Card Weekend. The No. 3 seed could be Green Bay, New Orleans, Seattle or even San Francisco, depending on what happens in today’s games (the only scenario addressed involving a tie is the one that would cause the Vikings to visit the 49ers; ties elsewhere are not covered below).

VIKINGS IN GREEN BAY IF: • The Packers lose to the Lions and the Saints and 49ers win their games • The Packers lose and the Saints and Seahawks win

VIKINGS IN NEW ORLEANS IF: loss, in the series that began with Today’s game is the 118th meeting • The Packers and 49ers win Minnesota’s inaugural game. • The Packers, 49ers and Saints lose between the Vikings and Bears came off the bench • The Seahawks win and the Packers to throw four touchdowns and rush and Saints lose and the fourth consecutive for another in a shocking 37-13 upset. regular-season finale in which More recently, the Vikings are 6-5 VIKINGS IN SEATTLE IF: against the Bears under Head Coach • The Packers, Saints and Seahawks win Minnesota has hosted Chicago. Mike Zimmer, an Illinois native. • The Packers and Seahawks win and The Bears have claimed three in a Saints lose row in the series, including a 16-6 win The Vikings are 60-55-2 all-time, VIKINGS IN SAN FRANCISCO IF: which includes one postseason at Soldier Field in Week 4. • The Packers and Saints win and the 49ers tie the Seahawks

During each home game, U.S. Bank and the Minnesota Vikings will recognize individuals who have

helped make our community a better place. Today’s Hometown Heroes are the Rochester Flyers Special Olympics Unified Flag Football Team. The Flyers signed contracts with Vikings General Manager Rick Spielman and practiced several times at Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center this fall before traveling to Los Angeles and playing a team sponsored by the Chargers on Dec. 15. The Flyers include coaches Tyler Runge and Corey Poppe; athletes Bailey Arneson, Patrick Healy, Sean Healy, Parker Lichtenwalter, Chaz Morris and Alex Steffl; and unified partners Kayla Edwards, Sam Hunt, David Kochan and Doug Utecht.

8 2019 vikings playbook AD

promotions

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2019 vikings playbook 11 marketing snapshot vikings

2o19 season leaders Passing (Yds) Kirk Cousins 3,603 Rushing (Yds) Dalvin Cook 1,135 Receiving (Yds) Stefon Diggs 1,130 Tackles Eric Kendricks 130 Sacks Danielle Hunter 14.5 Anthony Harris 6 KOR (Yds) Ameer Abdullah 297 PR (Avg.) Mike Hughes 7.4

2019 schedule preseason (3-1) P1 8/9 at W 34-25 P2 8/18 W 25-19 P3 8/24 W 20-9 P4 8/29 at L 27-23

regular season (10-5) player to watch: 1 9/8 W 28-12 2 9/15 at L 21-16 3 9/22 Oakland Raiders W 34-14 S ANTHONY HARRIS 4 9/29 at L 16-6 5 10/6 at W 28-10 ANTHONY HARRIS ENTERED WEEK 1 as a starting safety for the first time in his 6 10/13 W 38-20 career and promptly recorded two interceptions and recovered a against 7 10/20 at W 42-30 Atlanta. He joined Hall of Fame defensive tackle John Randle as the only two 8 10/24 Washington Redskins W 19-9 9 11/3 at L 26-23 undrafted players in Vikings history to win an NFC Defensive Player of the Week 10 11/10 at W 28-24 award. It was Harris’ second game in as many seasons with two interceptions. The 11 11/17 W 27-23 first occurred at Chicago in November 2018. Harris also recorded the first pick-six of 12 11/24 Bye Week his career when he corralled a batted pass and returned it 20 yards for a touchdown 13 12/2 at Seattle Seahawks L 37-30 at Seattle. In a career-high 14 starts, Harris has set personal bests of 60 tackles, 14 12/8 Detroit Lions W 20-7 15 12/15 at W 39-10 6 interceptions, and 11 pass breakups this season. Harris and five-time Pro Bowler 16 12/23 Green Bay Packers L 23-10 Harrison Smith have complemented each other well in Minnesota’s secondary. They 17 12/29 Chicago Bears have collaborated in disguising defenses, and Harris’ coverage skills enable Head Coach Mike Zimmer to move Smith closer to the line of scrimmage.

top 2 against bears PROJECT SUCCESS: HARRIS; VIKINGS OWNER/PRESIDENT MARK WILF; rushing yards FORMER CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER KEVIN WARREN; TEAMMATES 224 Adrian Peterson on 20 attempts at Chicago (Oct. 14, 2007) AMEER ABDULLAH; C.J. HAM AND STEPHEN WEATHERLY; AND VIKINGS 211 Adrian Peterson on 35 attempts LEGENDS VISANTHE SHIANCOE AND TONY RICHARDSON JOINED 50 in Minnesota (Dec. 1, 2013)

MINNEAPOLIS PUBLIC SCHOOLS STUDENTS FROM PROJECT SUCCESS FOR passing yards AN EXPEDITION TO WASHINGTON, D.C. 436 Tommy Kramer on 28-of-55 passing in Minnesota (Sept. 19, 1985) 392 Brett Favre on 32-of-48 passing in Minnesota (Nov. 29, 2009)

Harris has recorded all nine of his career interceptions since 2018; he ranks receiving yards 204 Randy Moss on 12 catches since third in the NFL in that span. Harrison Smith is tied for 14th with six in that at Chicago (Nov. 14, 1999) 2018 span. Chicago’s Kyle Fuller and Atlanta’s Damontae Kazee are tied for first with 177 Sammy White on 10 catches 9 10 apiece, and Bears safety is tied for 10th with seven. in Minnesota (Nov. 28, 1982)

2019 vikings playbook 13 bears snapshot

2o19 season leaders Passing (Yds) Mitchell Trubisky 2,931 Rushing (Yds) David Montgomery 776 Receiving (Yds) 1,076 Tackles 100 Sacks 8.5 Interceptions 3 KOR (Yds) Cordarrelle Patterson 825 PR (Avg) 9.2

2019 schedule preseason (1-3) P1 8/8 L 23-13 P2 8/16 at New York Giants L 32-13 P3 8/24 at W 27-17 P4 8/29 L 19-15

regular season (7-8) 1 9/5 Green Bay Packers L 10-3 player to watch: 2 9/15 at Denver Broncos W 16-14 3 9/23 at Washington Redskins W 31-15 4 9/29 Minnesota Vikings W 16-6 LB KHALIL MACK 5 10/6 at Oakland Raiders L 24-21 6 10/13 Bye Week KHALIL MACK ENTERS TODAY’S GAME needing 1.5 sacks to extend his streak of 7 10/20 New Orleans Saints L 36-25 8 10/27 Los Angeles Chargers L 17-16 consecutive seasons with double digits to five. If he hits that mark, it will give him 9 11/3 at Philadelphia Eagles L 22-14 22.5 in his first two seasons with Chicago. It’s safe to say the Vikings are aware of 10 11/10 Detroit Lions W 20-13 the threats that Mack poses. In four games against Minnesota since 2015 (one with 11 11/17 at L 17-7 12 11/24 New York Giants W 19-14 Oakland and three with Chicago), Mack has totaled 3.5 sacks and forced two fumbles. 13 11/28 at Detroit Lions W 24-20 He’s also helped the Bears claim wins in the past three meetings between the teams. 14 12/5 Dallas Cowboys W 31-24 A former fifth-round pick by Oakland in 2014, Mack became the first player in NFL 15 12/15 at Green Bay Packers L 21-13 16 12/22 Kansas City Chiefs L 26-3 history to be named to the Associated Press All-Pro First Team at two positions 17 12/29 at Minnesota Vikings (defensive end and linebacker) in 2015. His encore act led to his selection as the 2016 NFL Defensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press and Pro Football Writers of America. Mack is four tackles away from his 400th according to league stats.

top 2 against vikings rushing yards 275 Walter Payton on 40 attempts PRO BOWLS IN A ROW: MACK WAS VOTED TO HIS FIFTH CONSECUTIVE at Chicago (Nov. 20, 1977) ALONG WITH BEARS SAFETY EDDIE JACKSON (SECOND 197 Gale Sayers on 17 attempts at Chicago (Dec. 18, 1966) SELECTION) AND RETURN SPECIALIST/RECEIVER CORDARRELLE passing yards PATTERSON (THIRD SELECTION). 422 Jim Miller on 34-of-48 passing at Chicago (Nov. 14, 1999) 381 Brian Griese on 26-of-45 passing at Chicago (Oct. 14, 2007)

receiving yards 249 Alshon Jeffery on 12 catches Mack has forced 11 fumbles since the start of the 2018 season, in Minnesota (Dec. 1, 2013) since which ranks second in the NFL in that span. Four of his five forced 2018 198 Marty Booker on eight catches fumbles this season occurred in September. at Chicago (Sept. 8, 2002) 11

14 2019 vikings playbook

VIKINGS ROSTER

2 Britton Colquitt P 4 Sean Mannion QB 33 30 running back fullback 5 Dan Bailey K Dalvin Cook 8 C.J. Ham quarterback 8 Kirk Cousins QB Kirk Cousins 11 Laquon Treadwell WR 14 Stefon Diggs WR 15 Alexander Hollins WR 19 Adam Thielen WR 14 82 75 64 56 65 71 19 wide receiver tight end right tackle right guard center left guard left tackle wide receiver 20 Mackensie Alexander CB Stefon Diggs Kyle Rudolph Brian O’Neill Josh Kline Garrett Bradbury Pat Elflein Riley Reiff Adam Thielen 21 Mike Hughes CB 22 Harrison Smith S vikings offense 23 Mike Boone RB bears defense 24 Holton Hill CB 25 Alexander Mattison RB 26 Trae Waynes CB 20 98 91 96 23 27 Jayron Kearse S cornerback defensive end nose tackle defensive end cornerback 29 Xavier Rhodes CB Prince Amukamara 94 52 Kyle Fuller 30 C.J. Ham FB linebacker linebacker 31 Ameer Abdullah RB Leonard Floyd Khalil Mack 33 Dalvin Cook RB 57 44 34 Andrew Sendejo S linebacker linebacker 39 Kevin Pierre-Louis Nick Kwiatkoski 21 38 Kris Boyd CB safety safety 40 Kentrell Brothers LB Eddie Jackson Ha Ha Clinton-Dix 41 Anthony Harris S

50 Eric Wilson LB vikings special teams 51 Hercules Mata’afa DT 54 Eric Kendricks LB 55 Anthony Barr LB 56 Garrett Bradbury C 5 2 58 21 31 kicker punter long snapper punt returner kick returner 58 Austin Cutting LS Dan Bailey Britton Colquitt Austin Cutting Mike Hughes Ameer Abdullah 59 Cameron Smith LB 64 Josh Kline G 65 Pat Elflein G 69 Rashod Hill T 71 Riley Reiff T ROSTER AND DEPTH CHART 73 Dru Samia G 74 Olisaemeka Udoh T 75 Brian O’Neill T MINNESOTA VIKINGS 76 Aviante Collins T 78 Dakota Dozier G 81 Bisi Johnson WR offense defense 82 Kyle Rudolph TE 83 Tyler Conklin TE WR Diggs B. Johnson Treadwell LDE Hunter Weatherly 84 Irv Smith Jr. TE LT Reiff R. Hill Collins NT Joseph J. Johnson Watts 91 Stephen Weatherly DE LG Elflein Dozier Samia DT Stephen Holmes Mata’afa 92 Jalyn Holmes DT C Bradbury Elflein RDE Griffen Odenigbo 93 Shamar Stephen DT RG Kline Dozier WLB Wilson Brothers 94 Jaleel Johnson DT RT O’Neill R. Hill Udoh MLB Kendricks Brothers 95 Ifeadi Odenigbo DE TE Rudolph I. Smith Jr. Conklin SLB Barr C. Smith 96 Armon Watts DT WR Thielen B. Johnson Hollins LCB Waynes Alexander Boyd 97 Everson Griffen DE QB Cousins Mannion RCB Rhodes Hughes H.Hill 98 Linval Joseph DT FB Ham SS H. Smith Kearse 99 Danielle Hunter DE HB Cook Mattison Abdullah FS Harris Sendejo

16 2019 vikings playbook BEARS ROSTER

4 Chase Daniel QB 41 22 10 Mitchell Trubisky QB safety safety 12 Allen Robinson II WR 50 Anthony Harris 54 Harrison Smith 55 linebacker linebacker linebacker 15 Eddy Pińeiro K Eric Wilson Eric Kendricks Anthony Barr 16 Pat O’Donnell P 17 Anthony Miller WR 18 Taylor Gabriel WR 29 97 98 93 99 26 20 Prince Amukamara DB cornerback defensive end nose tackle defensive tackle defensive end cornerback 21 Ha Ha Clinton-Dix DB Xavier Rhodes Everson Griffen Linval Joseph Shamar Stephen Danielle Hunter Trae Waynes 22 Kevin Toliver II DB vikings defense 23 Kyle Fuller DB bears offense 24 Buster Skrine DB 26 DB 29 Tarik Cohen RB 30 Michael Joseph DB 17 12 72 68 65 69 70 81 32 David Montgomery RB wide receiver left tackle left tackle left guard center right guard right tackle tight end 33 DB Anthony Miller Allen Robinson II Charles Leno Jr. Rashad Coward Bobby Massie J.P. Holtz 35 RB 36 DeAndre Houston-Carson DB 18 39 Eddie Jackson DB wide receiver 10 Taylor Gabriel 43 Eric Saubert TE quarterback 29 44 Nick Kwiatkoski LB Mitchell Trubisky running back 45 Joel Iyiegbuniwe LB Tarik Cohen 47 Isaiah Irving LB

bears special teams 48 Patrick Scales LS 49 TE 52 Khalil Mack LB 53 Devante Bond LB 15 16 48 29 84 55 Josh Woods LB kicker punter long snapper punt returner kick returner Eddy Piňeiro Pat O’Donnell Patrick Scales Tarik Cohen Cordarrelle Patterson 57 Kevin Pierre-Louis LB 60 Corey Levin OL 62 Ted Larsen OL 64 OL 65 Cody Whitehair OL ROSTER AND DEPTH CHART 68 James Daniels OL 69 Rashaad Coward OL 70 Bobby Massie OL CHICAGO BEARS 72 Charles Leno Jr. OL 73 Cornelius Lucas III OL 76 Abdullah Anderson DT 81 J.P. Holtz TE offense defense 83 WR WR Miller Ridley DT Hicks R-Harris Urban 84 Cordarrelle Patterson WR WR Robinson II Wims NT Goldman Williams 85 Bradley Sowell TE LT Leno Jr. Lucas III DE Nichols Anderson 88 WR LG Daniels OLB Mack Irving 91 Eddie Goldman NT C Whitehair Larsen Levin ILB Kwiatkoski Woods 92 Brent Urban DE RG Coward Larsen Levin ILB Pierre-Louis Iyiegbuniwe Bond 94 Leonard Floyd LB RT Massie Bars OLB Floyd Lynch 95 Roy Robertson-Harris DE TE Holtz Sowell Horsted CB Fuller Skrine Shelley 96 Akiem Hicks DT WR Gabriel Patterson CB Amukamara Toliver II Joseph 97 Nick Williams DT QB Trubisky Daniel S Clinton-Dix Bush 98 Bilal Nichols DT RB Cohen Montgomery Nail S Jackson H-Carson 99 Aaron Lynch LB

*Depth charts are unofficial 2019 vikings playbook 17

perhaps ifeadi extended-stay hotel, and a switch doing now, because everything I did, I earned flipped in his game. it. I didn’t take any shortcuts. odenigbo’s choice “This was my third year, and I hadn’t “All the training I did with Coach Rob of housing is the established myself yet,” Odenigbo said. [Rodriguez] and Coach Dre [Andre Patterson] “Usually that means you’re no longer a in the offseason — all the hours I put in — it’s reason behind his young guy, so it was a do-or-die situation, starting to pay off now,” Odenigbo added. and I needed to do whatever I could to make “But if you ask any of the other defensive breakout season. the team. linemen, they will tell you I earned all of the “You’re either a journeyman bouncing snaps and everything I’m doing now.” around from one team to another, or you’re We caught up with Ifeadi to talk about The Vikings defensive end was a 2017 out of the league,” Odenigbo added. “I had draft-day memories, his sword celebration seventh-round pick out of Northwestern the approach that I was making this team and his favorite type of Nigerian food. who spent that season on the Vikings regardless … no more half-in or half-out.” practice squad. Odenigbo has been a pleasant surprise Although he was released by Minnesota for the Vikings defense in 2019, as he has at the end of training camp, Odenigbo recorded the first five sacks of his career. was picked up by Cleveland and later had He also has a pass deflection and a fumble a stint with Arizona (where he made his recovery, which he returned 56 yards for a NFL debut), before re-joining the Vikings score in Week 15 against the Chargers. practice squad halfway through the Odenigbo, who entered Week 16 third on 2018 season. the team in sacks behind Danielle Hunter and So when the 2019 offseason came around, Everson Griffen, reflected on how far he has Odenigbo knew his time to make an impact come over the past year. might be running out. And in an effort “I never get content, especially when to help his focus, he got an apartment. we have guys like Everson and Danielle,” Odengibo switched from living in an Odenigbo said. “But it’s cool to see what I’m

2019 vikings playbook 19 Where did you put the ball from your Let’s talk about the sword celebration you do Your parents are from Nigeria … does your Q: touchdown against the Chargers? Q: … what’s the origin behind that? Q: name mean anything special? “I actually don’t have it because they are “Well, George Martin, [who wrote the “My full name is Ifeadikachukwu. It A: painting it right now for me. It was my Game of Thrones books], went to A: A: means, ‘Nothing is greater than God.’ “ first game ball, so I’ll get it back soon.” Northwestern. Everyone there was all about the show. I was really into the show in college, so my redshirt freshman year I said I wanted to do something to honor that. It was the Q: Do you have a favorite Nigerian food?. Q: Where are you going to put that one? night before we played Minnesota, and I said that if I got a sack, I was going to “Jollof rice. That’s where I get my “I’m not sure yet. But I know I’m going unsheathe a sword.” superpowers from (laughs). If you talk to get one of those glass cases for it, A: A: to any Nigerian, they’ll say that jollof rice just because it was so special. My first-ever gets you right. It’s like red spices mixed in touchdown. It was pretty memorable.” Q: And then you got a sack? with white rice. It’s pretty delicious. There’s always a talk in Western Africa … you have “Yep. Next day, got a sack and then I did Ghanaians and you have people from A: it. People were like, ‘Ifeadi!’ But I loved it.” Nigeria … and the debate is whose jollof rice Q: You had a funny draft day story, right? is better. Nigerians make the best jollof rice, hands down. Especially my mother. Having “Yeah (laughs). I was watching [Day 3 of] someone like my mom cook Nigerian food A: the draft and was just becoming angry Q: Have you gotten any feedback on it? all the time when we were kids, it helps at the guys being picked because I thought “Not a ton. But I do kind of want to get a with the culture aspect.” I was better than them. I got so mad that I real sword now.” just left the house. My mom asked where I A: was going and I just said, ‘Out for a drive. I just have to drive somewhere.’ And then the Vikings called.”

Q: Where were you when you got the call? “In my friend’s car. Sitting in bad Chicago A: traffic. But we went out to eat after, so that made it all better.”

“it’s cool to see what i’m doing now, because...i earned it. i didn’t take any shortcuts.”

- ifeadi odenigbo

20 2019 vikings playbook who are AD VIKINGS WOMEN?

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VIKINGS.COM/WOMEN 22 2019 vikings playbook by craig peters

2019 vikings playbook 23 kinesthetic gifts area quickness and body control for an 11-yard getting the ball on short or intermediate routes, Stefon Diggs’ gloves are 2X in Adidas, and score. Diggs was brilliant on the corner-post then maintaining speed through the catch. Bisi Johnson wears a 2X Nike pair, but when double move, selling a route to the outside in “For me it’s like, mastering one thing is not the receivers swapped gloves during a order to create inside leverage against former the end of the world because I’ve got to keep recent practice, they noticed a distinguished Viking Craig James. Cousins rifled the pass, working at it,” Diggs said. “I’ve never mastered difference. Diggs caught it over his head and followed with the craft of catching the ball. There’s many Receivers Coach Drew Petzing saw the a quick double-tap of his feet. ways of catching the ball, as far as catching exchange and had a chuckle. The Dallas grab was so unbelievable that with defenders on you and things like that.” “They thought they would have the same officials initially ruled it an incompletion, size. Bisi put Diggs’ gloves on and was like, but review showed him cleanly complete the little things make big differences ‘Holy crap.’ [Diggs is] not a small guy, but catch as he slid to the turf, helping set up an The spectacular endings of plays have less he’s not huge,” Petzing said. “He does have important field goal. conspicuous origins. big hands, which is clearly going to help. You The mistake in coverage on the Douglas play At the beginning of a play, Diggs is thinking think about great receivers in the Vikings aside, the other plays mentioned above involved about alignment and assignment. He knows organization, Randy Moss and both solid defense but better offense. that NFL defensive backs have good intel and had enormous hands.” “I think a lot of it is he works at it,” Petzing “play percentages on what routes you are going Johnson later confirmed, “He’s got some big said. “You see him in down time in practice and to get from certain alignments.” old hands. I thought I had big hands, but he the offseason, he spends a ton of time putting “As far as steps, if I run past 10 yards, you can stretched those things out pretty good.” himself in those situations, or as close as you anticipate it being a longer route,” Diggs said. The size of Diggs’ hands — and the can so it’s not the first time you’ve done it, “They’re sitting until that, so you’ve got to accompanying strength in them — is one of which is hard because it’s awkward, it’s quick. A put speed on guys, and it’s all about leverage. multiple physical traits that enables him to lot of it is reaction. I want to get the leverage I need and keep it. If increase his catch rate by securing footballs that “You don’t think about making that catch,” I lose it, it’s because I wanted to lose it. After require full extension, like the one he speared at Petzing added. “Your body has to react, and that, it comes down to break point. Los Angeles with one hand along the sideline. your body reacts faster when it’s been put in “If you have good coverage, if you’re tight The play resulted in a 5-yard gain, but QB Kirk similar situations over and over and over again. I on me with good coverage, it becomes a break Cousins said it was “one of the better catches know he takes that very seriously.” point on my angle, coming back to the ball, I’ve ever seen.” Petzing said Diggs shows “vision, body where I’m at and where I put my hands at,” “Some of his elite traits – one would be the feel and spatial awareness” that have been he added. hands,” Cousins added. “He tracks the football as “developed over the course of his life and career NFL receivers are some of the best athletes well as anybody. … He gives me the freedom to but that he continues to perfect.” on the planet, but so are cornerbacks, so what throw the ball to different places, and he’ll adjust.” Petzing said the best illustrations occur on makes the difference between success for the In Week 14 against Detroit, Diggs’ pinky was the deep passes because they are generally the offense or defense? the only part of his left hand pressing the “most awkward where you’re adjusting your “In the League, guys are smart, way more pigskin against his right hand during a 44- body and you’re along the boundary” but added athletic,” Diggs said. “There’s plenty of guys yard reception. Diggs also recorded a 13-yard that the gifts show up in “everything he does.” that I go against that are either just as fast as reception thanks to a tremendous toe-tap. Everything includes anticipating where the ball me or faster, just as quick as me or quicker, so Both gains occurred against the Lions top is going to be, where the defender is and how what’s going to be the separation? Whether cover corner Darius Slay, who gave props to to position himself to keep the defender from Diggs on social media after the game. Cousins described the matchup as “good on good.” He added that he trusts Diggs “in those moments to go down the field and at the end of the day, i’m just make the play.” Three other plays — two touchdowns from a receiver trying to catch the Cousins against the Eagles and a 27-yard catch ball. i’ve been at it for so long, at Dallas late in the first half — illustrate Diggs’ kinesthetic gifts that make him a star. and i still work at it. it’s not On a 51-yard touchdown pass, Diggs zoomed by something i take lightly. i take Eagles cornerback Rasul Douglas, who thought he had help over the top. Diggs propelled himself pride in finding that ball and with an incredible final stride and reached over making it mine. his outside shoulder to secure the ball. The fifth-year pro later put on a clinic in short- - stefon diggs

2019 vikings playbook 25 it’s attacking the ball, being physical to the ball, “You see a lot of guys go up for balls, and they and kind of anticipating where he was going to being aggressive, having good hands, having fall over. I think more than anything, he was be without seeing him.” good leverage, having good strength in certain keeping his feet, and in doing so, he probably Diggs subtly moved himself back to the situations where you need it. It all depends on did adjust his body angle to the point where outside as he completed the catch and McManis the defender.” [Williams] ducks his head, loses sight of him went diving by. The spin move was one thing, By now, Diggs’ quick-twitch and speed are and misses him.” the acceleration out of it was another, topped established. Listed at 6-feet and 191 pounds, The grandiose stage of the playoffs and only by Diggs’ determination to fight his way strength isn’t what folks first think of when the magnitude of the shocking finish placed through contact for the final five yards of the listing Diggs’ attributes, but he knows how the play at No. 9 in NFL Network’s list of the 40-yard game-tying touchdown with 1:49 TODAY'S ITEM OF THE GAME to maximize his power through explosive 100 Greatest Plays, a collection of highlights remaining in an eventual 23-20 win. movements and continues to refine how to assembled for the NFL’s 100th season. But it Johnson said Diggs repeatedly reminds him make them even more lethal. wasn’t the first time for Diggs to completely about the importance of “always having a plan “I think people don’t think I’m as fast or as make a defender miss and deliver late-game in your head” so that he’ll be able to best use strong as I look, so I try to catch them off guard, heroics for the Vikings. his attributes. and if not, I’ve just got to play ball,” Diggs said. His rookie season, in just his fourth game, “That’s something that he’s been telling me a “I set it up the whole game. I don’t use it, I don’t Diggs ran a short in-breaking route as Bears DB lot and something I need to work on, but Diggs use it, and then we get a big play out of it.” Sherrick McManis trailed. just has a different game than I do or [Adam] ‘47 Petzing said Diggs’ explosiveness shows “And I spun out,” Diggs finished the Thielen,” Johnson said. “It just depends on your at the beginning of plays and at the tops of thought. “[Stuff] like that, people don’t really body type and how you move.” routes when his quick-twitch muscles fire him understand, but I anticipated the defender Diggs already has cracked the top 10 in in and out of breaks. Then there’s a mentality being behind me, and I knew where he was Vikings history in catches, yards and Knit Hat component, too. going to be.” receiving touchdowns, but he “He firmly believes that no one is going to “I had a plan of where I was going to align believes he can keep refining press him and cover him 1-on-1,” Petzing said. my leverage, where I was going to catch the his receiving gifts. ball, and I knew I was going to spin out having a plan at the line of scrimmage because I knew where he was going $ 95 Diggs’ kinesthetic awareness prompted a to attack me from,” Diggs added. slight adjustment to the inside as he went up “That’s something that’s so small, for the prayer heaved by Case Keenum. This but with me playing for a while 19 writer will always believe the move fit for The $ Matrix was the most important aspect of the Was 30 impromptu moment because safety Marcus i think so, too, Williams completely whiffed and took out While supplies last. teammate Ken Crawley. because if i had just “I think so, too, because if I had just kept running — I was trying to position myself to kept running — i was stop, so I was going to try to put both feet on trying to position the ground and fight and get out of bounds,” Diggs said. “But I tried to high-point the ball so myself to stop, so i he didn’t have a chance to make a play. was going to try to “When people think about him missing [me being] all on him, it was me too, because if I put both feet on the had just ran and caught the ball and tried to get ground and fight and out of bounds the normal way, toe-tap or two feet in, it would have been a bang-bang shot,” get out of bounds. he continued. “People think they know football, but i tried to high- but the small things matter the most, and in that moment, it showed.” point the ball so he Diggs kept his balance, turned and ran for the didn’t have a chance final 34 yards of the 61-yard Minneapolis Miracle. Petzing said Diggs consistently aligns himself to make a play. in practices to land on both feet to the point DON’T FORGET YOUR that it’s automatic. - stefon diggs

26 2019 vikings playbook OFFICIAL GAMEDAY HATPIN!

dan bailey

nfc special teams player of the week 3x: Week 5 at Giants (14 points) Week 8 against Redskins (13 points) Week 15 at Chargers (15 points)

dalvin cook

nfc offensive player of the week 1x: Week 10 at Dallas (183 scrimmage years, rush TD)

fedex ground player of the week 2x: Week 2 at Green Bay (154 yds, TD on 20 rushes) Week 7 at Detroit (142 yds, 2 TDs on 25 rushes)

by craig peters kirk cousins

nfc offensive player of Players voted to Entering Week Takeaways by the the month for october: the 2020 Pro Bowl; 16, Kirk Cousins Vikings against (4-0 as a starter, 91-of-116 passing, Harrison Smith was had completed at the Chargers in 1,261 yds, 10 TDs and a passer rating of 137.1) selected for a fifth- least 80 percent Week 15, which fedex air player of the week 1x: consecutive year, of his passes was the most Week 6 at Philadelphia Danielle Hunter for a in five separate by Minnesota (22-of-29 passing, 333 yds, 4 TDs, second year in a row games, an NFL defense since 138.4 passer rating) 3 and Dalvin Cook for 5 record for a 7 Sept. 24, 1995, the first time. single season. at Pittsburgh. anthony harris

nfc defensive player of the week 1x: Week 1 against Atlanta Jake Reed (413) in Week 11 against Denver, mike zimmer passed Jerry Burns for (5 tackles, 3 PBU, 2 INTs, 1 FR) the third-most wins by a Vikings head Ahmad Rashad (400) in Week 8 against coach with a victory over Washington Washington and Sammy White (393) in in Week 8. Burns recorded 53 in six Week 6 against Philadelphia. danielle hunter seasons. Only Bud Grant and Dennis harrison smith tied Orlando nfc defensive player of the week 1x: Green have more wins with the Vikings. Thomas and John Turner for seventh Week 14 against Detroit dalvin cook became the second- in Vikings history with his 22nd career (8 tackles, 3.0 sacks) fastest Viking to reach 2,000 career against Detroit in Week 14, rushing yards. He hit the mark in his then moved into sole possession with 27th game. Adrian Peterson (21 games) his 23rd interception at Los Angeles the is the only player to reach the milestone following week. It was the sixth time in faster. Cook became the eighth player eight seasons that Smith has recorded HONOR ROLL in franchise history to rush for 1,000 interceptions in consecutive weeks. or more yards in a season and fourth danielle hunter became the Vikings player to score at least 13 youngest player in NFL history since rushing touchdowns in a season. sacks became an official statistic in stefon diggs posted his second 1982 to record 50 career sacks. He consecutive season with 1,000 receiving reached double-digit sacks for the third yards, becoming the seventh player in time in five seasons. Vikings history to hit the milestone in dan bailey passed 1,000 career more than one season. points in Week 11 against Denver. He kyle rudolph is in fifth place on the has scored 100 or more points in seven Vikings all-time receptions list. He overtook of his nine seasons.

2019 vikings playbook 29 by craig peters, eric smith & lindsey young

rudy’s red-eye express makes annual trip to north pole

Patients and families from University of And of course, a trip to the North Pole vikings 0-line Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital joined wouldn’t be complete without a visit from gives back Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph in boarding Santa and Mrs. Claus. the Rudy’s Red-Eye Express for a festive trip “They may not be able to go to the mall to the North Pole. to see Santa Claus,” said Rudolph. “To get The Vikings offensive line spread some Private jets “flew” – with the help of them out of the hospital and away from holiday cheer earlier this month, as every a little holiday magic – the group to the doctors’ appointments, bring them up member of the unit surprised underprivileged winter wonderland complete with a North to the North Pole, celebrate the spirit of youth at TCO Performance Center with gifts Pole Bakery, Toy Shop, lighted dance floor, Christmas, and just for one night let them and dinner. inflatable slide, larger-than-life snow globe kind of escape the tough times they’re The night featured a dozen linemen, plus and even a pair of live reindeer. going through, that’s what it’s all about.” a pair of coaches, bringing joy to those in need. The young people were from The Link, a program founded by Vikings Legends Jim Marshall and Oscar Reed, that supports families who have been impacted by homelessness, sex trafficking or both. “This is the holiday season and there are families that are less fortunate,” said Vikings center Brett Jones. “It’s in our nature as offensive linemen that we want to protect and care for people. “You want to do it for those kids,” Jones added. “Whether or not they get to open one on Christmas Day, you don’t know. This is pretty special for them. They were able to have a lot of fun, and to know we were able to help them do that means a lot.”

30 2019 vikings playbook for christmas, c.j. ham adopts family

Vikings fullback C.J. Ham, along with emotion at C.J. and Stephanie’s generosity. his wife, Stephanie, and daughters, “They’re God-sent,” Gertha said. “I mean, Skylar and Stella, “adopted” a family you can tell that they’re genuinely sincere from a local Boys & Girls Club and hosted and honest. It just touched my heart.” a Christmas party – complete with Added C.J.: “We know that Christmas is dinner and lots of presents – at TCO about more than just gifts. But for us to be Performance Center. able to help them with that part, and to see Gertha Cochran adopted and currently the joy that they had in their hearts and the cares for five of her great-grandchildren raw emotion about some of the gifts that as well as her sister, who faces cognitive they got, it really means a lot me.” challenges. C.J. later that week partnered with Hy-Vee The group was welcomed warmly and Hormel to hand out approximately 400 by the Hams and overwhelmed with hams to families in North Minneapolis.

rhodes, treadwell continue connection with boys & girls clubs

Vikings cornerback Xavier Rhodes to the group of young people. and receiver Laquon Treadwell share an “I just basically told them it’s always an ongoing commitment to Boys & Girls honor and a privilege to come out here and Clubs. Recently, the two made substantial give back,” Treadwell said. “I tried to give financial donations to provide Christmas them some positive advice and told them gifts for approximately 100 Twin Cities it was important to give back and why families who are part of the program. I’m here, my upbringing. A lot of people Treadwell visited the Southside in the community helped us out around Boys & Girls Club in Minneapolis to the holidays and Christmas, so it’s always held hand out gifts and also spoke good to be that person.”

kirk cousins delivers christmas cheer

Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins, autographed by Cousins, who had Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders, Viktor the represented Boys & Girls Clubs on Dec. 8 Viking and CenturyLink employees visited in the My Cause My Cleats game. the Mt. Airy Boys & Girls Clubs for a special Cousins played ping-pong and helped afternoon of holiday activities on Dec. 20. other young people create holiday Young people who had recently completed cards to send to soldiers overseas. a STEM (science, technology, engineering “ ‘Happy Skolidays,’ I like that,” and mathematics) program offered through Cousins mused. the club were able to walk alongside Cousins In another room, youth piled gobs of and pick out toys, books, watches and items icing on tree-shaped cookies. for family members like hairdryers and “This was a chance to spend time clothing items, then have the gifts with the kids and have fun right before wrapped on site. Christmas, get them some nice gifts The young people also received footballs and share some laughs,” Cousins said.

2019 vikings playbook 31 zimmer surprises hospital patients with shopping spree

Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer provided a holiday surprise to 25 young patients from Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota on Dec. 20. The Mike Zimmer Foundation provided the children with dinner, $300 store gift cards, and transportation to and from the store as the kids and their families went on a holiday shopping spree. “A lot of these kids are struggling with cancer [or other challenges],” Zimmer said. “For them to come out and hang out with some of our players and go shopping and have a nice, fun night, it’s really heartwarming.” A dozen Vikings players showed up to support Zimmer’s foundation and assisted the kids with shopping. The event marked the second time Zimmer and his family have hosted youth for the shopping outing in the past three years.

thielens partner with the salvation army

Giving back is a family affair for the Thielen Foundation. Vikings receiver Adam Thielen, his wife Caitlin and sons, Asher and Hudson, hosted five families who are part of The Salvation Army’s Pathways of Hope program for a Christmas surprise at the Mall of America. The families enjoyed a catered dinner as well as time to casually and comfortably interact with and get to know the Thielens. Three-year-old Asher helped hand out gifts to unwrap, but the group learned that additional gift deliveries were being made to their homes. For many, the news invoked an emotional response. “That’s why we do it – to see the reaction and the emotions over the simplest things,” Adam said. “Even just giving the time with these families and playing with the kids – they have no idea who I am and what I do, but it’s just the fact that I’m playing with them, hanging out, talking to them, it’s so fun for us and for them, as well.” 32 2019 vikings playbook

Inside the Leber home on a damp, chilly day, Louie lounges on a rug near the fireplace. A 140-pound Great Dane, Louie is truly the definition of a gentle giant. The mammoth black dog lifts his head and looks toward former Vikings linebacker Ben Leber with soft, deep-brown eyes. “He’s my baby,” says Ben, joining Louie on the floor to cuddle him. LOUIE, JUNE “He’s the best.” Ben and his wife, Abby, adopted & SIMON Louie from the Upper Midwest Great Dane Rescue, a nonprofit they both passionately support. breeds: The couple has had multiple Great one great dane & Danes, starting with Moose, whom two malshis they had when Ben was drafted by the Chargers in 2002. Then later, big baby: Belle came along. And years after louie is youngest their first two pups passed away, the (& biggest) Lebers adopted Louie. Ben still remembers seeing Louie for family feud: the first time. wrestling matches “Of course, when you go [to a sometimes shelter] and see a puppy, how can you break out not leave with that puppy?” He says. “We saw him, and he was great, and welcome to the zoo: he was really shy. We loaded him up in the lebers are the back of my truck and drove home animal lovers with him that day. It’s been quite a journey with him.” He explains that Louie, who came from a household of domestic violence, BEN LEBER BY LINDSEY YOUNG was initially “terrified” of his new environment. “He was never aggressive, but he wouldn’t those frogs in probably a year. But they do “He just loves to be around you. He loves to even get up off the floor. He’d just lay there exist,” he quips. “We’ve got a zoo, basically, at be affectionate,” Ben explains. “He almost scared to death to move,” Ben recalls of the our house.” loves too hard. He’s the one that will come early days. “So, it took him a long time to kind Don’t be fooled, though. It’s a life that he right up into your face and just start licking of get re-acclimated. Because he was with a wouldn’t trade for anything. and licking and licking. And most of the time, family, then he went to a foster home, then He and Louie have a special connection, you’re not really wanting him to do that. But he was with [our] family, and all within a few but there’s also a bond between Ben and he loves it. months. Now, he’s great. the Lebers’ other two dogs, June and “He’s the one that just likes to cause “Louie’s just Louie. He’s one of the most chill Simon, matching white Malshis with problems,” Ben adds. “He’s the bossiest. He’s Great Danes that we’ve ever had,” Ben said. contrasting personalities. the most food-aggressive. But he can also be Ben and Louie regularly go on walks and It’s somewhat comical to see the former equal parts loveable.” runs together; on Ben’s phone are videos and linebacker, who played for the Vikings from While June is the “old woman” who photos of his three children – Ames, Witt and 2006-10, holding a pair of petite, fluffy, pups. doesn’t join in playtime, Simon is the Wells – curled into the pup’s side or reclining “June is our grandma,” he chuckles, pointing most hyperactive and even will succeed in against his broad back while watching TV. to the older of the two, though she’s only riling up Louie. “He has little times during the day where he about 6. “I thought that getting a small dog Ben explained that Simon, who weighs in at is energetic, and then most of the time he’s was going to get yippy and whatever? [But] a whopping 12 pounds, will leap at Louie and just lying there and hanging out,” Ben laughs. I told my wife, ‘This is the greatest dog ever.’ impishly nip at the larger dog’s jowls. When But Louie isn’t the only dog – or animal, She acts like a big dog even though she’s, like, Louie gets annoyed and knocks Simon down even – that you’ll run into on any given day at eight pounds. with his paw, the younger pup will go after the Leber home. “Most of the time at night, she’ll come Louie’s feet. The interaction lasts about 10 Ben gestures around the living room on and curl up right here,” he adds, patting the minutes until exhaustion. what is a rare quiet morning. arm of the red sofa. “And if I come and sit “Louie will get down and oftentimes tuck his “Chaos. It’s an s-show around here all the on the couch and pet her, she gets annoyed feet underneath his body, so he’s like a big, time, literally and figuratively,” he says. and walks away. She just wants to do her black body with just his head … It’s super cute But he smiles. own thing.” and fun,” Ben says. “Simon is relentless. … I “Three dogs, we had two cats, we have a And then, there’s Simon. think Louie just likes it. He never gets mad or guinea pig, and then we have three frogs …” The youngest of the group, Simon is the aggressive toward the little dogs. It’s hilarious his voice trails off. rambunctious, feisty brother; he often wears to watch this little white dog sort of beat up “Which, I don’t think I’ve laid my eyes on a funny “grin” complete with a snaggletooth. on this big Great Dane.”

“Louie’s just Louie. He’s one of the most chill Great Danes that we’ve ever had. He has little times during the day where he is energetic, and then most of the time he’s just lying there and hanging out.”

- BEN LEBER ON LOUIE

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Contact us for OF OUR OFFICE COFFEE AND WATER a FREE onsite SERVICES demo Phone: 1-952-322-0082 JERRY REICHOW’S STORIED CAREER HAS INCLUDED ROLES AS A BACKUP QB TO MULTIPLE HALL OF FAMERS, A PRO BOWL RECEIVER, IN THE PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT AND AS A COLORFUL STORYTELLER. by craig peters

“Time on the job, I guess,” Reichow shrugged 859 yards and 11 touchdowns that season. He when asked about his storytelling skills. “I know and running back Hugh McElhenny became one thing, all it means is you’re old.” Minnesota’s first two Pro Bowlers. As the Vikings conclude their 59th regular “You look at Jerry Reichow, you see the Vikings,” HIS CONTRIBUTIONS‘‘ season in the NFL, the 85-year-old is wrapping a said Ring of Honor member Jim Marshall, remarkable career with the club. who was acquired by Minnesota in a separate The native of Decorah, Iowa, arrived in preseason trade. “His contributions were not only WERE NOT ONLY ON Minnesota via trade just days before the on the field but in his scouting and the rest of his Vikings shocked the Bears 37-13 in the duties. To me, he was the greatest. He deserves THE FIELD BUT IN HIS franchise’s inaugural game in front of 32,236 to have a retirement now.” on Sept. 17, 1961. It was quite the season for a player who began SCOUTING AND THE REST The receiver — and rookie QB Fran Tarkenton his professional career in 1956 as a backup QB — came off the bench that day. Reichow in Detroit behind Hall of Famer caught three passes for 103 yards, including and Harry Gilmer. With Layne out because of an OF HIS DUTIES. TO ME, a 29-yard touchdown that was one of four injury, Detroit Head Coach Buddy Parker called thrown by Tarkenton. over Gilmer and Reichow to let them know they HE WAS THE GREATEST. “[Head Coach Norm] Van Brocklin [and I] had were both going into the game. played together the year before in Philadelphia, “It took many years later, but I finally figured so I pretty much knew the offense. He called out why Harry Gilmer was throwing me the HE DESERVES TO HAVE up Tarkenton and myself and sent us into the ball a lot. That rascal is trying to make a game. Tarkenton had a great game. receiver out of me so he can play more,” A RETIREMENT NOW.” “We beat the Bears, which didn’t make Papa Reichow said. “So, all of a sudden, I’m a [Bear George] Halas happy,” Reichow recalled receiver. Then they traded for , who with a laugh. “He exploded on the sideline over was a quarterback up at Green Bay. We won there, but it was a great start.” the championship that year, ’57. Bobby broke - jim marshall Reichow led Minnesota with 50 receptions, his leg, and Tobin had a great game.”

2019 vikings playbook 39 HE WAS ONE OF THOSE GUYS THAT HAD AN IMPACT ‘‘ ON THE FIELD, BUT ALSO WAS ABLE TO MAKE THE IMPACT IN THE FRONT OFFICE AS WELL.”

- vikings gm rick spielman

called Reichow in the following winter and over the years, including linebacker Scott offered him the personnel director job. Studwell, a ninth-round selection in 1977. “ ‘Really, who am I going to direct? I’m the Studwell set Vikings all-time tackles Originally only scout,’ ” laughed Reichow, who accepted records for a game, season and career drafted out of Iowa, the job under the condition that the Vikings before joining the personnel department. where he starred in would also join a scouting combine. The Studwell retired after the 2019 NFL Draft. football and basketball, Vikings personnel department has grown over “He and I are still very close and kid each Reichow helped the Lions the years, but the team remains affiliated other all of the time,” Reichow said. “I was win the 1957 NFL Championship. with BLESTO. kind of responsible for him getting into the He landed in Philadelphia in 1960 and Marshall, who played through the 1979 scouting part of it, too. I don’t know if he helped the Eagles and quarterback Norm season, said he “knew [Reichow] was going to blames me for that now or not.” Van Brocklin win the title. be good” in the personnel department. Reichow said Studwell exceeded With Van Brocklin retiring, Reichow thought “He’s a very compassionate person who expectations because of his ability to read he might have the opportunity to return to QB. knows football and deals with people very and react, and the high intelligence that he “I’m watching practice and I see somebody well,” Marshall said. “To me, he was perfect showed as a player prompted his addition over there that can really throw the football, for the job.” to the personnel department. a red-haired guy, , he’s in the Reichow’s first draft as personnel director “We’re always looking for someone a whole Hall of Fame, too,” Reichow said. “Van Brocklin, had the benefit of extra picks gained in lot smarter than we are. He got in there, he he and Bobby are all in the Hall of Fame.” trades, including one that dealt Tarkenton was good at it to start with because he knew Months later, with Van Brocklin preparing to the New York Giants. The 1967 class football,” Reichow said. “He knew players, for his first season as the Vikings head included Hall of Famer Alan Page, Clinton took to it right away, and pretty soon I let coach, Minnesota acquired Reichow. He Jones, Gene Washington, Bob Grim, Bobby him run it. He always gives me heck for when initially again thought he might have an Bryant and John Beasley. I left that part of it, saying, ‘You didn’t teach opportunity to play QB. “The next year, we had the first pick, and the me anything about this.’ “I get there, and here’s Tarkenton, another pressure is on when you have the first pick,” “I’ll say, ‘You should have seen when I got Hall of Famer,” Reichow said. “I finally came Reichow said. “Which way are you gonna go? the job. Nobody was here. You’ll learn.’ He’s to the fact that quarterbacking was out.” We had five guys that we kept talking about, done a great job for us,” Reichow said. Reichow flourished for the fledgling so I went to see all five of them again in the Vikings General Manager Rick Spielman franchise for four seasons until Van Brocklin spring after we had seen most of them and said he has appreciated Reichow’s brought him in to cut him and offer him a job picked Ron Yary. A couple of those guys … experience, understanding of the game and in the personnel department in 1965. didn’t make it big. Yary made it.” storytelling, though he declined to share his “It was late in the fall, and I’ve got a family, After making the future Hall of Fame favorite Reichow story. so I said, ‘I’ll scout this fall and see how I tackle the first offensive lineman ever “I think just the longevity that he’s been like it,’ ” Reichow explained. “We only had selected from the No. 1 overall spot, here and all the people that he developed, one scout, named Joe Thomas. He was the Minnesota tabbed guard Ed White in the from Studwell and all of those guys coming personnel director.” second round in 1969. Both players were through,” Spielman said. “He was one of Thomas, who was the first person hired important in the Vikings making Super those guys that had an impact on the field, on the football side by the Vikings original Bowls IV, VIII, IX and XI. but also was able to make the impact in the founders, was fired that fall. Van Brocklin Dozens of legendary picks followed front office as well.”

40 2019 vikings playbook

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the bootleg play has been a fixture Sternaman and his brother Joey, a but was plenty familiar with Grange. of the vikings offense in 2019. quarterback/kicker, teamed together in 1922 “One of the more influential players in the Quarterback Kirk Cousins is adept at faking and scored 73 of the team’s 123 points. history of football,” Cousins said. “I think handoffs, hiding the football, rolling out and Joey Sternaman then headed to Minnesota he really changed football from what it was finding a receiving option. to coach and play for the upstart Duluth to a much more spread-out, athletic game The play has been successful because of Kelleys in 1923. He led the squad that was because of how dynamic he was.” the Vikings effectiveness at running the named for a hardware store to a 4-3 mark Cousins said the bootleg has stood the football and Cousins’ ability to use play- from Sept. 30-Nov. 25. He then rejoined test of time because it helps an offense action and execute plays with designed the Bears, who played an additional three keep opposing defenses more honest. movement. games from Nov. 29-Dec. 9. The term “bootleg” has nothing to do with Joey finished his NFL career with the Bears cowboys or the way the quarterback arcs (1924-30). after faking the handoff to set up and throw In a 1980 feature, the Chicago Tribune’s a pass. Jeff Lyon wrote that he “MORE or less Instead, the term was coined during originated the quarterback option. He would “The bootleg is a great Prohibition, which coincidentally overlapped run eight yards to the side and if he spotted with the NFL’s first 14 seasons (1920-33). a receiver, he’d throw; if not he’d just keep complement to the run Bootleg describes the quarterback’s effort going until some ‘Too Tall’ of the 1920s got to hide the football from sight of the his hands on him.” defense similar to the way that citizens Lyon added: game to force the backside concealed hooch when alcohol was illegal. “He also originated the bootleg play, faking It is possible that the play’s originator was to the halfback who ran one way, then hiding of the defense to stay the first quarterback of the Chicago Bears, the ball behind his leg as he ran the other. who began as the Decatur Staleys in the “The man he faked to the most was Red NFL’s inaugural 1920 season (the league Grange, the immortal ‘Galloping Ghost,’ home. Almost every played its first two seasons as the American whose reputation as a broken field runner at Pro Football Association). the [University of Illinois] so preceded him play has a play that When the A.E. Staley corn-processing that when he joined the Bears, the other pro plant pulled its sponsorship, Founder/Head teams keyed on him like a swarm of bees. Coach/Player George Halas partnered with That left Sternaman with open field.” complements it to try and “Dutch” Sternaman and renamed the team Cousins ran for a 14-yard gain on a third- the Bears. Halas eventually bought full and-1 play at Los Angeles in Week 15. He ownership. hadn’t heard the backstory of the bootleg keep defenses honest.”

-kirk cousins 2019 vikings playbook 43 “Emerge the Victor” concludes “Emerge the Victor” the three-print series created for Vikings home games against NFC is the final print of North teams to celebrate Nordic heritage. The Purple Print Series features gold foil accents and is a limited-edition ideal for the fan who wants to show Vikings pride in his or her letterpress series home or office in an elegant way. There are only 100 “Emerge the Victor” prints that will be made possible by available at the Minnesota Vikings Foundation kiosk on the main Pepsi in support of concourse near Section 101. The prints are $50.

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44 2019 vikings playbook CASINO • HOTEL • DINING • NIGHTLIFE MYSTICLAKE.COM

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Get to know Maddie HOMETOWN: CHAMPLIN, MN

OCCUPATION: STUDENT

CHARITY YOU ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT?

One charity I am passionate about is the Minnesota Humane Society. I am such a lover of all animals and would love to help contribute to getting those animals their forever homes. I adopted my kitten from the Humane Society, and helping its cause will always have a special place in my heart.

FAVORITE GAMEDAY HIGHLIGHT?

My gameday highlight would be running out of the tunnel before kickoff. Fans are so excited for the game to start, and everyone’s adrenaline is pumping. This is a great moment for us to connect as a team and be grateful for where we are in that moment.

» CHECK OUT MADDIE IN THIS YEAR’S CALENDAR OR ON THE VIKINGS APP GET YOUR 2019-2020 VIKINGS CHEERLEADER CALENDAR FEATURING ALL 33 CHEERLEADERS AT TODAY’S GAME OR ONLINE AT VIKINGSLOCKERROOM.COM. FOR EXCLUSIVE VIKINGS CHEER PHOTOS, DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL VIKINGS APP BY GOING TO MNVKN.GS/APPDOWNLOAD ON ANY DEVICE.

2019 vikings playbook 47 entertainment viktor the viking

Draw a Mustache Masterpiece! In honor of Viktor’s new book, draw yourself (or your favorite Viking) wearing Viktor’s mustache.

Share your finished product with @viktortheviking on social, and he’ll send a copy of his book to his favorite artist.

Viktor The Viking @ViktorTheViking Official Viktor @ViktorTheViking @ViktorTheViking The Viking

48 2019 vikings playbook

u.s. bank stadium skol service

spotlight on keith gagner

ORIGINALLY FROM EDEN PRAIRIE, Keith Gagner always told friends how great it would be to “work with the Minnesota Vikings in some capacity.” After 40 years in the printing business that ended with his retirement in 2016, Keith is doing just that at U.S. Bank Stadium, where he has worked since 2018. Keith works for WESS Security Services and is stationed at the entrance that is used by coaches, players, their family members and friends on game days.

HAVE YOU WITNESSED A SKOL SERVICE TEAM MEMBER GOING ABOVE

“It is great to have the opportunity to “I am just thankful for the opportunity to AND BEYOND? be around guests, players, and fans and work at a job that I enjoy so much,” he added. to make sure that they get in and out of Keith has been married to his wife, Patty, the stadium in a safe and orderly manner,” for 43 years, and they have two children, E-MAIL YOUR STORY TO Keith said. “I also [interact] with other staff Chris and Tina. members when they pass through my area; Thank you, Keith for bringing SKOL Service I ask them how their day is going and say to life at U.S. Bank Stadium and upholding [email protected] something to them to make them smile our most important SKOL Service standard or laugh. of safety!

50 2019 vikings playbook

STANDS | u.s. bank stadium CONCESSIONS 1ST & FRY 129, 143 612 BURGER KITCHEN 339 AZ CANTEEN 341 favoritesfavorites GLUTEN FREE WILD ROASTED TURKEY 124, 329 SANDWICHES AZ CANTEEN ROTISSERIE 121 BUBBLE WAFFLE 124, 329 MARKET BBQ 122, 324 111, Upper Concourse Legacy GRILLED CHEESE 138 Gate 108 WINGS CARIBOU COFFEE 106, 112, 130, 131, 134, 347, HOT DOGS CURDS & CAKES 114 CHEESE CURDS Endzone Grill West Endzone 114, 129, 143 103, 105, 106, 111, 112, 113, 114, 118, ENDZONE GRILL WEST 124, 129, 130, 131, 132, 143, 304, ENDZONE (Event Level) DIPPIN DOTS desserts 311, 313, 317, 328, 336, 341, 345, HEGGIE’S PIZZA 114, 134, 307 129, 307 349, Endzone Grill West Endzone & treats MILL CITY CLASSICS 311, 317, MAC & CHEESE BRATS BOMBOLINI 341, 349 108, 111, 116, 310 103, 106, 112, 118, 124, 130, 131, 121, 344 MINNEAPOLIS COCKTAIL MINI DONUTS 132, 304, 311, 313, 317, 328, 336, FROZEN HOT CHOCOLATE 101, 130 111, 318 341, 345, 349, Endzone Grill 121 West Endzone NORTH STAR GRILL 103, 118, NACHOS A LA MODE ICE CREAM 124, 132, 304, 313, 328, 345 105, 106, 112, 113, 117, 122, 130, PEANUTS 124, 329 REDZONE GRILL 106, 112, 130, 132 131, 310, 311, 317, 341, 344, 349, All concession stands & Endzone Grill West Endzone portables REVIVAL 111 beveragesbeverages RUSTY TACO 105, 113, 122, 310 PIZZA POPCORN 114, 134, 307 103, 113, 122, 124, 304, 311, 318, ALL CONCESSION STANDS & 328, 341, 349 FOOD PORTABLES portable food Bottled Water, Bottled Soda food PRETZELS stands 110, 114, 118, 124, 134, 307, 311, ALL CONCESSION STANDS BRISKET SANDWICHES 341, 346, 349, Endzone Grill Fountain Soda, Gatorade, Draft AREPAS 131 324 West Endzone Beer AZ BRAT 317 CHEESEBURGERS PULLED PORK SANDWICHES ALL BEER PORTABLES 124, 329 103, 106, 112, 118, 124, 130, 131, BE GRACEFUL 121, 122, 324 16oz Canned Beer 132, 304, 313, 328, 339, 345, BUBBLE WAFFLE 111, Upper Endzone Grill West Endzone SALAD/WRAPS BLOODY MARYS Concourse Legacy Gate 124, 329 109, 110, 128, 301, 314, 326, 332 CHICKEN TENDERS DIPPIN DOTS 129, 307 103, 118, 124, 129, 132, 143, 304, STEAK SANDWICHES CRAFT BEER WALL & DORITOS WALKING TACO 132, 313, 328 107, 325, 334 COCKTAILS ON TAP Upper Concourse Legacy Gate 101, 130 CUBAN SANDWICHES TACOS FONG’S CHINESE 347 324 105, 113, 122, 132, 310, Upper CRISPIN HARD CIDER GOURMET HOT DOG 111, 130 & Concourse Legacy Gate 124, 329 FRENCH FRIES West Endzone 103, 106, 112, 118, 124, 129, 130, TATER TOT HOT DISH HENRY’S HARD SPARKLING HERITAGE TEA HOUSE 134 118 WATER 131, 132, 304, 313, 328, 345 IKE’S 119, 336 124, 318, 328 FRIED CHICKEN THE KERNEL 103, 318 111 WINE KRAMARCZUK’S 336 110, 130, 138, 301, 314, 325 LOLA’S 334 M ARTISAN PRETZEL 110, restaurant spotlight 311, 346 MAC N CHEESE 116 HOW DO YOU WAFFLE? Bubble Waffles made its U.S. Bank Stadium MARKET BBQ 122 debut at Super Bowl LII, providing fans of all ages with a unique bubble waffle cone, local ice cream, homemade blueberry compote and unique MINI DONUTS 111, 318 toppings and drizzles (like Fruity Pebbles). Make sure to check out these NACHOS 117 made-to-order desserts by the Gold Lobby on the main concourse and O’CHEEZE 108 near Section 301 on the upper concourse. Show us how you waffle! STEAK AND CHEESE 107

52 2019 vikings playbook ’TIS THE SEASON TO GET HOME SAFELY

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