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3 Fan Code of Conduct 5 Big Pics: Week 10

game-day guide 8 Today’s Game 11 Today’s Promotions 15 Vikings Snapshot 16 Broncos Snapshot 18 Depth Charts & Rosters FEATURES 21 Timeout with Bailey 24 : All About the Process 31 Purple Pups: Una, Cozy & Bones Spielman 34 Colquitt’s Characters 39 Salute to Service

extras 12 Upcoming Events 42 NFL 100 - Players who Served 45 Cheerleader of the Game 46 Viktor the Viking 48 Foundation 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, Dane Kuhn & Jackie Ramacher PHOTOGRAPHY: Andy Kenutis, Travis Ellison, Dane Kuhn, Kam Nedd & the Associated Press PUBLISHED BY: GameDay Sports; [email protected] ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: WANT PIZZA? POPCORN? BEER? [email protected] ‘ASK ME ANYTHING’ CAN HELP! © 2019 by Minnesota Vikings Football, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in Use the photo app on your smart whole or in part without written consent of the publisher is prohibited. phone to scan & ask a question.

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 QUESTIONS? but are not limited to, the following: • Harassment of visiting-team fans Use the photo 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 smart phone to • Actions that are harmful to or endanger others behavior by anyone using an account owner’s ticket(s) scan & ask a question. • 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 10 big pics

01

at cowboys

The Vikings completed a 2019 sweep of NFC East teams with a 28-24 victory over the Cowboys on Sunday Night Football.

It was Minnesota’s first win in Dallas since Nov. 23, 2000. The Vikings improved to 7-3 on the season.

01 led the Vikings with 97 rushing yards and 86 receiving yards. He scored the decisive 02 and became the second player in the NFL this season with more than 80 rushing and receiving yards in one game. Cook was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week.

02 caught two 1-yard and a critical 2-point conversion pass from Kirk Cousins. His first score was secured with one hand. 03 03 want more? made an Check out ‘Through the Lens’ presented by incredible adjustment on the Andersen Windows and Doors on vikings.com football for a one-handed catch that gained 27 and set up or follow Official Team Photographer a field goal before halftime. Andy Kenutis @vikingsphotog on Instagram.

2019 vikings playbook 5 big pics week 10

04

06

05

04 | Minnesota’s defense swarmed Dallas 05 | recorded a key pass 06 | high-pointed a running back Ezekiel Elliott, who finished breakup on a fourth-and-5 from attempt for an with 47 yards on 20 carries (2.4 yards per the Minnesota 14-yard line with less on the final play of rush) and with a long of 6. than a minute to play. the game.

6 2019 vikings playbook

today’s game is presented by

national anthem Staff Sgt. Jeremy Gaynor, a lead vocalist in the Army’s West Point Band, will sing the National Anthem.

color guard A Joint Services Honor Guard honoring all branches of service will present the colors and be accompanied by a full-field American flag.

Today’s game is the 15th meeting between The Vikings have scored 305 points, and the Broncos have scored 316. Nine contests Denver and Minnesota in the regular season. have been decided by four or fewer points, including the past three in a row that have all The franchises began play in 1960 (Broncos) been three-point wins by Denver. and 1961 (Vikings), but the teams didn’t meet Minnesota is seeking its first win in the for the first time until Oct. 15, 1972. series since Oct. 19, 2003, a day highlighted by Minnesota recorded a 23-20 comeback win Randy Moss’ catch and over-the-head lateral skoldier hats at Mile High Stadium thanks to a 31-yard to Moe Williams for a touchdown on the final The Minnesota Vikings have touchdown pass from Fran Tarkenton to play of the first half. Lance Johnstone returned partnered with Polaris and Gene Washington. an interception 33 yards for a touchdown, Wounded Warrior Project to The series has been remarkably close over and Corey Chavous and Brian Russell also bring you the exclusive Skoldiers the decades. Each team has seven victories. intercepted . Hat. A very limited quantity

CENTER_STACKED_STS_Lockup will be available on the main concourse near Section 101 while supplies last. With a minimum donation of $20, you will receive a free Skoldiers hat. All proceeds will go directly to Wounded The Vikings are proud to host their annual Salute to Service game Warrior Project. to honor active duty, veterans, and brave service members who are on the POW/MIA list and those who have given the ultimate sacrifice. Players and coaches will wear special-edition Salute halftime to Service gear, much of which will be auctioned to raise money. In recognition of the 75th Since 2011, Salute to Service has raised more than $34 million for anniversary of D-Day, we will honor and pay tribute to World military and veteran nonprofit organizations. War II veterans in a special halftime ceremony.

8 2019 vikings playbook AD

promotions

augmented reality During each home game, U.S. Bank and the Minnesota Vikings will recognize souvenir pepsi cups Scan your Pepsi cup with the Vikings individuals who have helped make our community a better place. App to unlock some of our best player celebrations! Share yours with Today’s Hometown Heroes are retired Navy SEAL Mike Ritland, who created the Warrior #SkolCelebrations #Contest for a Dog Foundation, and retired Navy SEAL Benito Olson, who founded Patriot Dog Training. chance to win Vikings tickets and Warrior Dog Foundation is dedicated to serving working military K9s, the special operations other prizes! community and their families. Even though he was critically wounded in Iraq in 2008, Olson served four additional deployments in Afghanistan. If you would like to nominate a Hometown Hero, visit Vikings.com/fans/promos/hometown-hero.

sacksPEPSI_H1_NB_ forSM_4C (FOR USE apps .25” 1.5" ) centurylink boostbox coin toss captain Buffalo Wild Wings brings you “Sacks CenturyLink Boostbox is your connection U.S. Bank is giving you the chance to for Apps” during all Vikings home and to the Vikings. CenturyLink has teamed up receive an exclusive experience to be away games this season! When the with Kirk Cousins to connect the U.S. Bank Coin Toss Captain at an Vikings record 3.0 or more sacks in a you to the Vikings all season long. upcoming Vikings game! Enter to win two game, fans score a free shareable with a Enter to win an exclusive fan experience tickets, pregame sideline passes and a minimum purchase of $5. Offer is valid for three days after each eligible game. including VIP tickets and sideline passes, commemorative game coin. Visit PEPSI_H1_NB_MEDIUM_4C (FOR USE 1.5" TO 4") engraved tablet, signed gear and more! Vikings.com/Rewards to join Vikings Visit Vikings.com/bww for your digital Visit centurylink.com/Vikings to enter. Rewards and enter for your chance to win. coupon and offer details.

opening drive sweepstakes #vikingshairstyle Today’s Kwik Trip opening drive contestant Spalon Montage will be giving away a PEPSI_H1_NB_LARGE_4C (4" AND LARGER) hy-vee #skol is Jeff Schmitz from Owatonna. Jeff will win $100 gift card at today’s game! Show $25 for every yard earned on the Vikings us your game-day hairstyle by tweeting Share a photo at today’s game using opening drive plus a $500 bonus for a a photo @VikingsPromos using #SKOL to see yourself on the video field goal or $1,000 for an opening drive #VikingsHairstyle to enter. board and for the chance to win a $25 touchdown. To enter, see your neighborhood Hy-Vee gift card! Kwik Trip today!

open the vikings app and click the button to find points of interest like ‘ASK ME ANYTHING’ IN THE APP your favorite game day food and beverage options at u.s. bank stadium.

2019 vikings playbook 11 upcoming events winter 2019

VIKINGS COUNTRY nov. 26 | 5:30-8:30 p.m. Join Mike Mussman along with a current Vikings player for Vikings Country presented by Miller Lite on Tuesday, Nov. 26, at Seventh Street Truck Park in St. Paul. You could win great prizes, including tickets in the Miller Lite Lounge at U.S. Bank Stadium! For more info, visit vikings.com/vikingscountry.

WORKOUT WEDNESDAYS* wednesday, nov. 20 Join Vikings Women once a month during the football season for Workout Wednesdays. Classes will be taught by Life Time instructors for all fitness levels. The next class, Gluteus Maxout with Christine Warren, will be held at TCO MINNESOTA FOOTBALL SHOWCASE Performance Center. Register at dec. 7 | u.s. bank stadium vikings.com/womensevents.

Celebrate all things football at the Minnesota Football Showcase presented by Andersen Windows and Doors. Join us Saturday, Dec. 7, at U.S. Bank Stadium for a football-filled day featuring the best high school players facing off in the 47th Minnesota High School All-Star Game. Fans can also participate in a youth clinic and receive autographs from Vikings Legends and current players. Learn more at Vikings.com/Showcase. FRIDAY FOOTBALL FEAST nov. 29 | 9 a.m. - noon Join KFAN each Friday morning from 9 a.m. to noon for a Friday Football Feast presented by Coors Light and KFAN. Paul Allen and Paul Charchian TOYS FOR TOTS will get you set for the weekend’s action, including an in-depth preview dec. 10 | 5:30 a.m. - 6:30 pm of the upcoming Vikings game. Use Join KFAN and the Minnesota VIkings at the Fleet Farm in #MVPTablePromo in your tweets for a Lakeville for our annual Toys for Tots drive on Dec. 10 from chance to win an MVP experience! The 5:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. Donate an unwrapped toy for your next Friday Football Feast wil be at chance to win Vikings tickets, autographed items and more! the Buffalo Wild Wings in Roseville.

*Women ages 18 and up are welcome. 12 2019 vikings playbook

snapshot vikings

2o19 season leaders Passing (Yds) Kirk Cousins 2,437 Rushing (Yds) Dalvin Cook 991 Receiving (Yds) Stefon Diggs 759 Tackles Eric Kendricks 97 Sacks 8.5 3 KOR (Yds) 175 PR (Avg.) Mike Hughes 5.4

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 (7-3) player to watch: 1 9/8 W 28-12 2 9/15 at L 21-16 3 9/22 Oakland Raiders W 34-14 WR STEFON DIGGS 4 9/29 at L 16-6 5 10/6 at W 28-10 IT’S A LITTLE HARD TO BELIEVE, but Stefon Diggs is more than four years removed 6 10/13 W 38-20 from making his professional debut in a game against the . Diggs didn’t 7 10/20 at W 42-30 start on Oct. 4, 2015, but he brought plenty of juice against the eventual 50 8 10/24 Washington Redskins W 19-9 9 11/3 at L 26-23 champs. Diggs was targeted 10 times and caught six passes for 87 yards in the fourth 10 11/10 at W 28-24 game of Minnesota’s season, earning a starting spot the following week. Even though 11 11/17 Denver Broncos the Vikings started five different in Diggs’ first four seasons, he has 12 11/24 Bye Week 13 12/2 at Seattle Seahawks performed well with all. Now with Kirk Cousins for a second consecutive season, Diggs 14 12/8 Detroit Lions has a rating of 113.5 this season on passes thrown his way. Diggs leads 15 12/15 at receivers in his draft class with 343 receptions and ranks second with 4,252 yards. He 16 12/23 Green Bay Packers 17 12/29 Chicago Bears is skilled at tracking the deep ball and also effective on short and intermediate routes because of his agility, quickness and route running.

top 2 against broncos rushing yards 103 Herschel Walker on 12 attempts QUITE A STRETCH: DIGGS BROKE A VIKINGS RECORD SET BY RANDY in Minnesota (Sept. 29, 1991) MOSS FOR RECEIVING YARDS IN A THREE-GAME STRETCH THIS SEASON. 98 Darrin Nelson on 11 attempts in Minnesota (Oct. 26, 1987) HE TOTALED 452 YARDS IN WEEKS 6-8 TO TOP THE HALL OF FAMER’S passing yards 446 IN 2001. 381 on 29-of-47 passing in Minnesota (Dec. 4, 2011) 366 Sean Salisbury on 19-of-37 passing at Denver (Nov. 14, 1993)

receiving yards Diggs has posted 100 or more receiving yards in 14 career regular- 156 on eight catches 14 in Minnesota (Dec. 4, 2011) + season games, the sixth-most in Vikings history. Six of those games with 151 Randy Moss on 10 catches 100 have occurred in home performances. in Minnesota (Oct. 19, 2003)

2019 vikings playbook 15 broncos snapshot

2o19 season leaders Passing (Yds) Joe Flacco (IR) 1,822 Rushing (Yds) Phillip Lindsay 584 Receiving (Yds) 692 Tackles J. Simmons, T. Davis 53 Sacks 5.0 Interceptions Justin Simmons 2 KOR (Yds) 116 PR (Avg.) Diontae Spencer 8.2

2019 schedule preseason (2-3) P1 8/1 at Atlanta Falcons* W 14-10 P2 8/8 at Seattle Seahawks L 22-14 P3 8/19 L 24-15 P4 8/24 at L 10-6 P5 8/29 Arizona Cardinals W 20-7

regular season (3-6) player to watch: 1 9/9 at Oakland Raiders L 24-16 2 9/15 Chicago Bears L 16-14 3 9/22 at Green Bay Packers L 27-16 OLB 4 9/29 L 26-24 5 10/6 at Los Angeles Chargers W 20-13 WHEN VON MILLER GETS GOING, it’s hard for an offensive line to hit the brakes on 6 10/13 W 16-0 7 10/17 Kansas City Chiefs L 30-6 the edge rusher. Miller has recorded 1.5 or more sacks in 24 of his 129 career regular- 8 10/27 at L 15-13 season games, including two so far this season. He has totaled 3.0 sacks in five 9 11/3 W 24-19 contests, stacking effective season after effective season together. The seven-time 10 11/10 Bye Week 11 11/17 at Minnesota Vikings Associated Press All-Pro (First Team in 2012, 2015 and 2016) has had at least 10 sacks 12 11/24 at Buffalo Bills in seven of his first eight pro seasons, which is a franchise record. The lone exception 13 12/1 Los Angeles Chargers was 2013, when he missed seven games. The seven-time Pro Bowler’s best output for 14 12/8 at 15 12/15 at Kansas City Chiefs a season was 18.5 sacks in 2012. He thrives when he is able to use his speed around 16 12/22 Detroit Lions the edge, so quarterbacks must be mindful with the depth of their drop backs, and 17 12/29 Oakland Raiders teams might scheme to provide extra help with a at the line of scrimmage or a running back.

top 2 against vikings rushing yards 158 Gaston Green on 26 attempts ON THE BIG STAGE: MILLER RECORDED 2.5 SACKS AND FOUR in Minnesota (Sept. 29, 1991) QUARTERBACK HITS IN TO CLAIM MVP HONORS. 117 Clinton Portis on 25 attempts in Minnesota (Oct. 19, 2003) HE BECAME THE 10TH DEFENSIVE PLAYER TO GARNER THE AWARD. passing yards MILLER ALSO HAD 2.5 SACKS IN THE AFC CHAMPIONSHIP. 334 on 27-of-36 passing in Minnesota (Nov. 24, 1996) 290 John Elway on 30-of-40 passing at Denver (Nov. 14, 1993)

receiving yards 144 on four catches Miller recorded his 100th career sack in Week 4 against in Minnesota (Dec. 4, 2011) tallying Jacksonville, which was just the 124th regular-season game 123 Steve Watson on five catches of his career. He is Denver’s all-time sacks leader with 102. at Denver (Nov. 18, 1984) 100

* Pro Football Hall of Fame Game, Canton, Ohio 16 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 WR 13 Josh Doctson WR 14 Stefon Diggs WR 19 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 CB Stefon Diggs Kyle Rudolph Brian O’Neill Josh Kline Pat Elflein Riley Reiff Adam Thielen 21 Mike Hughes CB 22 Harrison Smith S vikings offense 23 RB broncos defense 24 Holton Hill CB 25 RB 26 Trae Waynes CB 25 95 98 96 29 27 Jayron Kearse S cornerback defensive end nose tackle defensive end cornerback 29 CB Chris Harris Jr. 59 Derek Wolfe Shelby Harris 58 30 C.J. Ham FB linebacker linebacker 31 Ameer Abdullah RB Von Miller 33 Dalvin Cook RB 45 51 34 S linebacker linebacker 22 Alexander Johnson Todd Davis 31 38 Kris Boyd CB safety safety 40 Kentrell Brothers LB Justin Simmons 41 Anthony Harris S

42 LB vikings special teams 50 Eric Wilson LB 51 Hercules Mata’afa DT 54 Eric Kendricks LB 55 Anthony Barr LB 5 2 58 21 31 kicker long snapper returner kick returner 56 Garrett Bradbury C Dan Bailey Britton Colquitt Austin Cutting Mike Hughes Ameer Abdullah 58 Austin Cutting LS 61 Brett Jones C 64 Josh Kline G 65 Pat Elflein G 69 T ROSTER AND DEPTH CHART 71 Riley Reiff T 73 G 74 Olisaemeka Udoh T MINNESOTA VIKINGS 75 Brian O’Neill T 78 G 81 WR offense defense 82 Kyle Rudolph TE 83 TE WR Diggs B. Johnson LDE Hunter Weatherly 84 Irv Smith Jr. TE LT Reiff Hill NT Joseph J. Johnson Watts 91 DE LG Elflein Dozier DT Stephen Holmes Mata’afa 92 DT C Bradbury Jones RDE Griffen Odenigbo 93 DT RG Kline Samia WLB Gedeon Wilson 94 Jaleel Johnson DT RT O’Neill Hill Udoh MLB Kendricks Brothers 95 Ifeadi Odenigbo DE TE Rudolph I. Smith Jr. Conklin SLB Barr Wilson 96 DT WR Thielen Treadwell LCB Waynes Hughes Boyd 97 Everson Griffen DE QB Cousins Mannion RCB Rhodes Alexander Hill 98 Linval Joseph DT FB Ham SS H. Smith Kearse 99 Danielle Hunter DE HB Cook Mattison Abdullah FS Harris Sendejo

18 2019 vikings playbook BRONCOS ROSTER

2 Brandon Allen QB 41 22 4 QB safety safety 6 Colby Wadman P 42 Anthony Harris 54 Harrison Smith 55 linebacker linebacker linebacker 8 Brandon McManus K Ben Gedeon Eric Kendricks Anthony Barr 11 Diontae Spencer WR 14 Courtland Sutton WR 15 Juwann Winfree WR 26 97 98 93 99 29 17 DaeSean Hamilton WR cornerback defensive end nose tackle defensive tackle defensive end cornerback 19 Fred Brown WR Trae Waynes Everson Griffen Linval Joseph Shamar Stephen Danielle Hunter Xavier Rhones 20 Jr. DB vikings defense 22 Kareem Jackson DB broncos offense 23 Devontae Booker RB 25 Chris Harris Jr. CB 26 Isaac Yiadom CB 27 Davontae Harris CB 17 71 66 60 65 70 82 14 28 RB wide receiver left tackle left guard center right guard right tackle tight end wide receiver 29 Bryce Callahan CB DaeSean Hamilton Connor McGovern Ron Leary Ja’Wuan James Courtland Sutton 30 Phillip Lindsay RB 31 Justin Simmons S 32 Andy Janovich FB 2 34 Will Parks S 32 quarterback 30 36 S Brandon Allen fullback running back 37 Coty Sensabaugh CB Andy Janovich Phillip Lindsay 42 Casey Kreiter LS

broncos special teams 43 Joseph Jones ILB 45 Alexander Johnson LB 47 ILB 51 Todd Davis ILB 8 6 42 11 52 Justin Hollins LB kicker punter long snapper punt/kick returner Brandon McManus Colby Wadman Casey Kreiter Diontae Spencer 54 Josh Watson ILB 57 DeMarcus Walker DE 58 Von Miller OLB 59 Malik Reed OLB 60 Connor McGovern G ROSTER AND DEPTH CHART 65 Ron Leary G 66 Dalton Risner OL 68 Elijah Wilkinson G/T DENVER BRONCOS 69 Jake Rodgers T 70 Ja’Wuan James T 71 G/C 72 Garett Bolles T offense defense 76 Calvin Anderson T WR Hamilton Winfree DE S. Harris Gotsis J. Harris 82 Jeff Heuerman TE LT Bolles Rodgers Anderson DT Purcell Walker 83 Andrew Beck FB/TE LG Risner Schlottmann DT Wolfe D. Jones 84 Troy Fumagalli TE C McGovern Schlottmann OLB Reed Hollins 87 TE RG Leary Wilkinson ILB Johnson J. Jones Watson 92 Jonathan Harris DL RT James Wilkinson Anderson ILB Davis Jewell 93 Dre’Mont Jones DE TE Heuerman Fant Fumagalli OLB Miller Attaochu 95 Derek Wolfe DE WR Sutton Spencer Brown CB C. Harris Jr. Yiadom Sensabaugh 96 Shelby Harris DE QR Allen Rypien CB Callahan Dawson Jr. D. Harris 97 Jeremiah Attaochu OLB RB Lindsay Freeman Booker S Jackson Marshall 98 Mike Purcell DL FB Janovich Beck S Simmons Parks 99 Adam Gotsis DE

*Depth charts are unofficial 2019 vikings playbook 19 — 47th annual minnesota high school — ALL-STAR GAME watch the best players in the state face off in a north vs. south battle at the at u.s. bank stadium on dec. 7 TICKETS AVAILABLE AT VIKINGS.COM/SHOWCASE holder Britton Colquitt, who began his career in that they were doing some really fun stuff, dan bailey had no idea. the Denver and signed with Minnesota just before going up in formation flights, flying an hour kicker was unaware of how 2019. away or two hours away to go eat breakfast. close he was to his 1,000th It turns out that Bailey’s narrow focus has “I got involved with that group, and it just allowed him to stack big numbers. grew from there,” he continued. “Most of career point heading into “Honestly, my goal is to go out there and make them are former military. … I’ve learned so week 10’s game at dallas every kick, but you know that they’re not all much from those guys.” going to go in,” Bailey said. “I think it’s trying to Bailey flew his plane to Minnesota for the against his former team. stack as many good games and years together Vikings offseason program this spring. as you can. Cumulative numbers kind of take On off days or after wrapping workouts, Bailey He also didn’t keep track during Minnesota’s care of themselves. would head over to Flying Cloud Airport in 28-24 victory at Dallas in which he kicked “I don’t know that [scoring 1,000 points] Eden Prairie and quickly and quietly join the a pair of field goals and two extra points, was ever on my radar, to be honest,” Bailey clouds. bringing his career total to 999, which is tied added. “I’m not saying that to sound cliché. I He “kind of buzzed around” northern with Dan Carpenter (2008-16) for 62nd in NFL just didn’t really think of it that way. I’m just Minnesota and also flew over the Apostle history. more concerned about doing it as long as I can Islands in Lake Superior this offseason. He can become the fourth kicker who because I love doing it here.” has ever played part or all of his career When he’s not aiming between the uprights, with the Vikings to record more than Bailey loves taking flight. He earned his pilot’s 1,000 career points. license and eventually bought a small airplane Bailey, who began his career as an undrafted once he found a good deal. free agent in 2011 and played his first seven Bailey then needed to find a spot to store it seasons with the Cowboys, also was oblivious near his home in the Dallas area, which has to the fact that he’s never missed a kick led to a unique bond with a group of flight against the Washington Redskins. enthusiasts who served in the military. It began After making four field goals and an extra when Bailey was paired randomly to play golf point in Week 8 to garner his second NFC with a man who had a connection at an airstrip Special Teams Player of the Week award near Bailey’s home. of 2019, Bailey is now 30-for-30 on field “[Hangar space is] hard to come by and not goals and 37-for-37 on extra points against advertised, but once you’re in it, ‘Well, so-and-so Washington. He credits the operation of long knows so-and-so,’ and it’s like this whole other snapper Austin Cutting, a rookie who is also world that you never knew about,” Bailey said. fulfilling his commitment to the Air Force, and “The more I was out there, the more I learned

2019 vikings playbook 21 we caught up with bailey for a timeout

What is it like to see changes in topography “Being inside is most of it, but what I people are really out there putting it on the Q: and weather happen in front of you on such a A: do like about here is the atmosphere. It line, and a lot of these guys were active duty long flight (from Dallas to Minnesota)? just feels like football. You go other places, and had combat hours during Vietnam. It especially other places inside, they can have puts it in a different perspective for me. … “It was definitely interesting. I had some a tendency to be almost like you’re in a living They have stories where it could have gone A: longer flights before. I flew to Indiana to room or something, just kind of a different either way on living or dying, so it makes me see my buddy and a couple of other ones, but feel, but it just feels like a football game here. appreciate it that much more. It’s a blast to it was really neat to see how the landscape That’s not to take away from anywhere else, be around those guys and makes me thankful changes as you get farther north. Obviously, but I enjoy that. It just gets me more in the that I’m able to fly and have all of this fun it’s mostly flat the whole way, but it was a mood and makes it that much more fun.” because people like them did what they cool experience. It’s a lot faster than driving needed to do so we have those freedoms. I’m up here, too. I enjoyed it. It’s a good time Your grandfather, who served in the Navy, and very appreciative of them, for sure. to kind of clear your mind. You’re obviously Q: your father also flew. What does it mean to paying attention to what you’re doing, but carry-on the family tradition? it’s good therapy, too.” “My grandfather worked for General A: Dynamics — [he did design work on Q: Do you have a favorite time of year to fly? fighters and bombers] — for 30 years, so it was always talked about. … It was part of “i think it’s trying to stack “Up here, when there’s snow on the everybody’s lives. We used to go to airshows ground, it’s cool. I know last year I went A: every year [in Oklahoma and Texas]. ... as many good games and up a couple of times during the season on Everything from going those to reading an off day and it was snowy, so that was books, it’s just always been of interest, a years together as you can. kind of different. It’s kind of pretty in a way, passion, I guess. It’s always been part of but I would say summer, especially down in cumulative numbers kind of our lives.” Texas. Austin and [Texas] Hill Country is really pretty. The only thing is you’ve got to go really take care of themselves.” How has your relationship with the veterans early in the morning or late in the afternoon in your Texas flight group impacted your because it’s just too hot, and my plane Q: appreciation for active military and veterans? doesn’t have AC, so whatever the air outside -dan bailey is, is what you’ve got.” “Some of the stories they have, it really A: makes it more real. I’m sure that’s What do you love about kicking at the same for people who have close family Q: U.S. Bank Stadium? members or friends involved. You realize these

22 2019 vikings playbook

KIRK COUSINS quarterback

24 2019 vikings playbook all about THE PROCESS by eric smith

When Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins hits the quarterback Sean Mannion said with a laugh. field today against Denver, it will mark his 75th “He’s all about the details. He always wants to consecutive start in the . know the answers, and he’s always looking for Not a bad streak for a guy who was a even more information.” fourth-round pick in 2012 and didn’t become a A glimpse of Cousins’ detailed habits can be full-time starter in the league until his fourth found inside a pair of blue tote bins inside the professional season. quarterbacks meeting room on the second floor Cousins’ play has helped him carve out a of Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center. successful career - just look at the fact he’s The bins sit unassumingly on the floor in one of two quarterbacks in the NFL, along a corner of the room but are within reach of with Philip Rivers, with 4,000-plus passing Cousins’ desk so that the quarterback can call yards and at least 25 passing touchdowns over on them when needed. the past four seasons. Among the items Cousins revealed he stores The production is visible, but few publicly know inside are his playbook from his 2012 rookie of the behind-the-scenes preparation work that season under current 49ers Head Coach Kyle Cousins puts in each week, when he analyzes Shanahan, who was Washington’s offensive and scrutinizes every nugget of data possible. coordinator at the time. “When you go into a game, you want that The bins also include weekly notes from peace of mind to know, ‘I’m ready,’ ” Cousins every game he’s played in as a starter, as he said. “How do you get that? Well, I think keeps them neatly tucked away in folders. it’s when you know you have a to-do list, a “He’s got some stuff in there that’s really fun,” checklist, and have checked all the boxes. Vikings quarterbacks coach Klint Kubiak said. “If you’ve checked all the boxes and have In the days leading up to Minnesota’s seen for years that it’s what you need to be Week 9 road game against the Chiefs, Cousins ready to go, then the next game you check recalled bits of information from the 2016 and those same boxes and say, ‘Hey, despite any 2017 seasons when he went against Steve concerns I may have, I’m prepared and ready to Spagnuolo’s defense. Spagnuolo was with the go. Let’s go play,’ ” Cousins added. Giants then, but he now runs the defense in Cousins’ mindset is as dialed-in as any player Kansas City. on the Vikings. His preparation is meticulous. He also pulled out old notes for the Vikings “Yeah, that’s a good word,” Vikings backup Week 8 game on

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26 2019 vikings playbook OFFICIAL GAMEDAY HATPIN! “ I DON’T KNOW ANY OTHER WAY. THIS IS A THINKING MAN’S GAME. bins storage kirk’s i have to prepare and be ready to go. i can’t imagine taking valuable notes from a plan i had prepared for a week, and then just getting rid of them.”

- kirk cousins

against Washington, his former team. “This isn’t just surface-level stuff. … He’s all about the details and all “This year, I’ve pulled out some stuff multiple times,” Cousins said. about preparing. It shows he’s willing to really study and look at all the “Playing [Washington], obviously, I had information saved that I felt tendencies and look at all the things he can learn from. To keep stuff was valuable from going against them for so many years in practice.” from over the years all catalogued, it shows that, No. 1, you have great Cousins said the information also comes in handy when he needs attention to detail,” Mannion added. “And No. 2, you can get a lot out a sense of familiarity with an unfamiliar opponent, such as today’s of studying and are really focused and are stressing the finer points game against Denver. and looking for different tells and things week-to-week that can make The quarterback has faced the Broncos just twice in his NFL career, you successful. To have that focus and commitment to catalog all of with only one start. But even though Cousins may not be overly it, it speaks to his attention and preparation for details.” acquainted with Denver’s defenders, he knows Broncos Head Coach Added Kubiak: “Full disclosure: I really expected it having seen his Vic Fangio’s scheme well. Fangio was Chicago’s defensive coordinator success in the league. You don’t have that kind of success and build from 2015-2018, when Cousins faced the Bears a total of four times. a career without being exceptional in the classroom. He’s exceeded “I have notes from last year playing against Vic Fangio with the Bears those expectations, works really hard at it. … You can see how that I’ll be able to go look up if I want to go find something out about important it is to him. He doesn’t take anything for granted and those two weeks. I have all that information, plus the papers that are makes sure he knows the game plan inside and out.” given to me of the plan we put together,” Cousins said. “I don’t just In addition to the files that Cousins keeps inside the QB room, he recycle them. I take them out and put them in a file folder and then set also almost always has a computation notebook with him throughout them in that bin. And, once we fill up a bin, we just get another one and the week. start stacking them up. It’s about time to get a third bin. The brown-covered booklet is used the most on Mondays because “I don’t know any other way. This is a thinking man’s game. I have to Cousins has a strict routine that is planned out hour by hour. prepare and be ready to go. I can’t imagine taking valuable notes from In weeks where the Vikings play Sunday, Cousins said he arrives a plan I had prepared for a week, and then just getting rid of them,” at the team facility around the same time each Monday and has Cousins added. “That is too valuable of information. Whether or not breakfast before getting in a quick lift. He then re-watches the I call on it every week may or may not happen, but why not at least previous day’s game, jotting down his own thoughts in the notebook. keep it around?” “I’m too impatient,” Cousins said with a smile. “When the game ends, Coaches and teammates who go through the daily grind with I want to see it as quickly as possible, so I watch it on my own first.” Cousins are amazed at how painstakingly detailed he is. Kubiak and He then watches film with a group of Minnesota’s offensive coaches, Mannion are both in their first season with Cousins. including Vikings Offensive Coordinator Kevin Stefanski, Kubiak and “Kirk’s the first one I’ve seen really catalog it that way,” Mannion said. others, so he can hear their thoughts. “But if you’re just sitting on it and stockpiling it, it doesn’t really do you “I think there are few things more valuable as a player than to watch any good. What’s great about Kirk is that he’s willing to go back there live game film and to learn from it. I take that very seriously,” Cousins and look at things in the past. … It shows he’s always learning. said. “Everybody has a different perspective. I have my opinion from what

2019 vikings playbook 27 I saw and how I was playing and what was one who encouraged me to get a going through my mind … and they want to routine, stick to it, have a plan and hear from me and what I was thinking. save my material,” Cousins added. “But it’s vice versa … I want to hear from “I started doing that and took him them and what they were thinking. The seriously, and I think it’s been a game happens so fast that I’m not able to tremendous blessing for me. I really hear why [Stefanski] called a certain play, or credit him with the way I prepare and what he was thinking,” Cousins continued. play the position. I think he had a “After the game, I can hear that more, and major impact on it.” it’s great to have that dialogue back and Cousins disclosed he usually goes forth with the coaches.” through three of those computation Up next is a meeting with coaches and notebooks each season — one for the the Vikings scouting department to get a offseason program and training camp, jump-start on the upcoming opponent and and then one for each half of the their personnel. Cousins then grabs lunch, regular season. records his weekly podcast and heads “But if we get to the playoffs then I’ll home in the mid-afternoon. probably have to start another book But his routine doesn’t stop there, as he because I’ll have run out of space,” then plans a few hours for what he calls Cousins said. “That’d be a great thing.” “body work.” Such opportunity could be there for “There are people who basically put me back Cousins and the Vikings, who currently sit at together again after each game — chiropractic 7-3, in second place in the NFC North and in work and tissue work,” Cousins said. “They line for a Wild Card spot. ⌀嘀䤀䬀䤀一䜀匀䌀伀一一䔀䌀吀䔀䐀 come to my house and spend two-and-a-half Minnesota finished 8-7-1 in Cousins’ first hours with me every Monday.” season in Purple in 2018, missing out on Cousins then heads to team Bible study a postseason berth with a Week 17 loss before he comes home, tunes into Monday at home to Chicago that kept the Vikings Night Football and hits the hay. from playing in January. 嘀䤀䬀䤀一䜀匀 䜀䄀䴀䔀倀䰀䄀一 Cousins said he is adamant about The Vikings 2019 schedule is eerily similar to following the same Monday routine whether the 2018 version, including a challenging road the Vikings win or lose the previous day. His test on at Seattle. Monday schedule was the same during a There is also a tough slate of games perfect four-game stretch in October when against NFC North foes, with another he won the NFC Offensive Player of the regular-season finale at home against the Month, and didn’t alter after a recent loss to Bears on the docket. the Chiefs or last week’s win at Dallas. Cousins knows the schedule is daunting, Much like those notes in the blue tote but doable. But it also offers another chance bins, Cousins said he developed his Monday for the quarterback to prove his doubters routine back in 2015 when he became a full- wrong and help elevate the Vikings to a time starter in the NFL. place they’ve never been before. “My wife and I decided we needed to “It’s a great opportunity to make get more of a true routine to our season. amends for what was a tough ending to … We both knew I needed to have more the season last year,” Cousins said. “In a of a plan,” Cousins said. “We kind of lot of ways, we did some good things and sat down and got it dialed in. It’s been it came down to one final game at home, a good plan for us ever since, and we and we didn’t get the job done. haven’t changed much. “This year, we need to do that, there’s “I also give a lot of credit to Matt no doubt about it. Preferably, sooner Cavanaugh, my quarterbacks coach in than later,” Cousins added. “We’d like to Washington in 2015, [who is now a senior win in such a way where we don’t have it offensive assistant there]. He was the come down to the final game.“

28 2019 vikings playbook

BONES

gentle giant: thinks he is a lap dog

nanner thief: once stole a bunch of bananas & made it across the lawn

UNA

big sister: first of the 3 to A veil of silver fog hovered across the horizon just before the join the spielman warmth of a golden sunrise began dissipating it. family The early June air carried a slight chill, and all around was a peaceful quiet, broken only by the call of an out-of-sight bird. calls dibs: Vikings Rick Spielman walked through the claims sleeping Eden Prairie neighborhoods with his three dogs who trotted calmly alongside him, untethered. quarters at end of The foursome, joined that morning a little after 5 by three the bed visitors, arrived at an intersection. “Show ’em what we do. What do we do when we get to the corner?” Spielman prompted the dogs. He directed attention to the second-oldest of the group, a white-and-gray mix. “ ‘Cozy, what are you supposed to do?’ “ Cozy looked up at Spielman and slowly lowered her

in memory of cozy RICK SPIELMAN BY LINDSEY YOUNG passed away june 2019 hindquarters to the sidewalk, joining her the one [who is most] scared and nervous around So, when it came to adding pets into the fold, “siblings” in the seated position. people. But she’s been a great dog. they approached with a similar philosophy. “Thank you,” Spielman said with a proud “She’s way closer to her brother, Bones, “I think it starts with my wife and the size smile. “OK, let’s go.” than she is to Una, because there’s a lot of heart that she has,” Spielman said. “These are Spielman and his wife, Michele, adopted all [sister rivalry] in that area,” he added. dogs that, I don’t know what happens to them three furry friends – Cozy, Bones and Una – The Spielmans adopted Bones, a boxer-hound if they don’t find a home, and it gives us an that quickly became a part the family. mix that weighed just seven pounds when he opportunity to give them [a second] chance. The early morning walk is a ritual, something was rescued from the streets of Mexico. And “They’re the greatest dogs ever,” he rarely missed throughout the course of a year, now? The sweet pup checks in at close to 100 continued. “All the rescue dogs that we’ve even during the demanding chaos of an NFL pounds and would be a “Hall of Fame therapy taken in have been the best dogs around the season and in the Minnesota winters. dog,” according to his owners. kids, the greatest family dogs and probably the “Zero degrees is our breaking point. Or, “He loves people; he’s by your feet all the most loving dogs we’ve had.” maybe, minus-5,” Spielman said. time,” Spielman said. “No matter what you’re When the group departed the house, before It’s therapeutic. A way to clear his mind, doing, he wants to be there and be involved. It’s the sky had entirely lightened, the trio had gather his thoughts and reset for the day. funny – even if we have [people come to work excitedly run down the driveway but stopped Just a man and his dogs. on the house], they’re downstairs eating lunch short before crossing. As if on cue, all three And each one has a different personality in the basement, and Bones goes down and tipped their heads back to watch for Spielman, and backstory. sits right in the middle of the men. who followed just behind. The first of the three that were adopted from “As big and scary as he looks, he’s probably And then he lifted them up into his arms, Mexico was Una, named for her single ear. the most gentle, kindest dog we’ve ever one by one, over the edge of the driveway She’s afraid of storms and very loving but, as had,” he added. and into the street. Spielman adds, is “the prissiest” of the trio. Just like their “dad,” the Spielman pups are “They think they have a [shock] collar on, “She thinks she is better than all the other creatures of habit and routine. but they don’t,” Spielman explained. “So, they dogs, so she will try to pull that card out on the The dogs are let outside each evening, and it’s won’t go past until they get lifted over.” others since she’s older than them,” Spielman not uncommon for Bones and Una to compete On the walk’s return trip, however, the group laughed. “She’s the one that gets the privilege to be the first one out the door. hurries home and up the driveway toward of sleeping at the bottom of our bed. She won’t “They’ve got their little sibling rivalries,” breakfast without hesitation. let the other ones come close or to that. But Spielman said. “But they never actually fight or “We trained them that if they ever got out she thinks she’s the alpha male. Female.” anything like that.” of the yard, not to be afraid to come back,” The family next adopted Cozumel, which they And they have two-legged siblings, as well. Spielman said. “They think they can’t go out. shortened to Cozy. Rick and Michele have adopted six children – But they know they can always go back home.” “She used to look like the GEICO pig – she had a Juan, Luis, Ronnie, J.D., Omie and Whitney – and Sadly, Cozy passed away shortly after this really tiny head and a big body, and we had to put are passionate about the positive impact that interview and visit. She will forever remain a her on a diet,” Spielman quipped. “She’s probably adoption can have on families. part of the Spielman family.

“All the rescue dogs that we’ve taken in have been the best dogs around the kids, the greatest family dogs and probably the most loving dogs we’ve had.”

- RICK SPIELMAN

32 2019 vikings playbook

by lindsey young

it’s difficult to miss britton colquitt’s locker.

The lockers of most players are fairly non- know he’s a very lively personality,” Brewer hanging in there, overlooking [things].” descript, and – with the exception of Josh said. “He can bring guys together.” It doesn’t take too much imagination Kline’s cowboy boots – the majority use the Interestingly, the childlike collection in to find the match for the Rudolph-the- top shelf simply to hold their helmets and Britton’s locker is a microcosm of the way Red-Nosed-Reindeer plush, which Britton shoulder pads. he does just that, staying connected with explains he added soon after meeting the Then there’s Britton. The top section of teammates throughout his NFL career. Vikings veteran tight end. his locker houses a small community of Each figurine or stuffed animal represents “But it seems that Kyle Rudolph really characters: a plush pirate, a Freddie Mercury a different teammate of Britton’s over his wants to be present in my locker,” he figurine, a blue Gonzo Muppet and a large 10 pro seasons. In some cases, there are quipped. “I actually got the Rudolph [plush], sloth that hangs out past the edge. A toy two characters for one player. Rookie long and I feel like he wanted to be in there even hawk perches on the right-hand wall. snapper Austin Cutting is repped by a little more, so he gave me the Hamburger Helper And that’s only a handful of the friends stuffed bear that wears a military jacket and hand.” who call the punter’s locker home. plays the Air Force fight song. For Bailey, who attended Oklahoma State “This is my office, and I like my office to be But Britton explains an additional University, there’s a Pistol Pete nutcracker fun and just to have good, warm feelings, so connection. with an intimidating mug. these are kind of my little buddies that [have “Austin informed me that, really, his spirit “Some of them make total sense, and then gotten] added to,” Britton said. animal is the sloth,” he said with a laugh. “He other ones, I’m like, ‘I don’t know where he His teammates, current and former, say loves sloths, and we’ve watched a few videos comes up with this stuff or why,’ ” Bailey that Britton’s collection fits his quirky of them. So, I think that sloth is pretty joked. “But it’s good. I think his locker is personality. fitting, the way that he’s kind of just literally the only one that has anything in “It’s definitely unique, that’s for sure,” it, really. Vikings kicker Dan Bailey said of the “It’s kind of good to locker room menagerie. break it up,” he added. Cardinals long snapper “Especially where his Aaron Brewer, who spent locker is – everybody his first four NFL seasons sees it, so it’s hard to in Denver with Britton, miss. I think it’s pretty laughs over the phone. funny.” “You talk to him for one second, and you

34 2019 vikings playbook “This is my office, and I like my office to be fun and just to have good, warm feelings.”

- britton colquitt

2019 vikings playbook 35 “For a while, I just had those three. Then Vikings Special Teams Coordinator Marwan Pioneered with the Pirate the next year, Zane got released, and Greg Maalouf said that Britton’s demeanor So, how did all of this get started, anyway? Joseph comes to the team. Greg happens has been a positive addition to the room, Britton explains that the tradition began in to be Jewish, so during Christmastime, he complementing those of Bailey and Cutting. 2016 when, after six seasons in Denver, he was brought what’s called ‘The Mensch on a “If anything, Britton’s personality brings released. Let go by the Broncos that same Bench’ and put it all around our locker room. out some liveliness in everybody. I think it’s offseason was Brewer, who had just finished his Eventually he just gave it to my locker.” a good thing,” Maalouf said. “He adds a little rookie contract. And then there were four. But the collection bit of a relaxed nature, [and] I think that’s a When the teammates went their separate really picked up steam when Britton came to plus. It kind of keeps everybody even-keeled. ways, equipment staff packed up their lockers Minnesota just before the start of the 2019 “We have fun. We’re with these guys more and shipped the contents to them. Except season. than we are with our own families,” Maalouf someone made a packing mistake, and the In addition to Vikings teammates Bailey, added. “When you can laugh and enjoy being plush pirate that previously had been in Cutting and Rudolph, Britton has since added around each other, that’s a huge positive.” Brewer’s locker ended up sent to Britton, who the miniature Freddie Mercury for Broncos Britton completed just one practice with had joined the Browns. kicker Brandon McManus – “if you look at the Vikings before joking with Twin Cities “I was away from my buddy, I was on a new pictures of him right now, he’s got quite the media members in September about the team in Cleveland, and I missed my friend,” Freddie Mercury ’stache” – and the hawk for difference in temperament between him and Britton recalled. “And I said, ‘You know what? Matt Prater. fellow veteran Bailey. He’s going to be here with me in my locker.’ So “His spirit animal – or ‘totem,’ as he says “Dan is laid-back, he’s quiet. I’m not quiet,” that’s how it started, with the pirate. That’s the – is a hawk,” Britton explained of the kicker Britton said. “We’re like Yin and Yang, but it original character because I just felt like it was now in Detroit. “He’s got hawk feathers works pretty good. I talk a lot. The chemistry sent to me for a reason.” tattooed on his arm. … Really, that should is good.” From there, items slowly were added to have been the first stuffed animal I had.” Bailey concurred with the contrast. the group. “I don’t know if you were trying to get three Zane Gonzalez kicked with Britton in personalities to sync up, if you would pick Cleveland, and his “Gonzo” nickname translated Light and Lively us three, but I don’t know – it just works,” easily to the blue Gonzo Muppet. But Britton In the two months since Britton has joined he said. couldn’t represent Gonzalez without including the team, he’s developed connections across Bailey has twice earned NFC Special Teams his long snapper at the time, Charley Hughlett, the locker room and built a rapport with Player of the Week (both in October) in so he added a Cookie Monster doll because of Bailey and Cutting that has helped the trio two-plus months of working with Britton, Hughlett’s favorite snack. operate smoothly together on the field. despite the two of them never crossing paths previously in their careers. He said that Britton’s experience in the league “has been huge” in catching up and finding a rhythm with each other quickly. “He’s made it super easy,” Bailey said. “He’s kind of a happy-go-lucky, goofy guy, but at the same time, you know he’s going to do his job, and he’s going to have the confidence to do what he needs to do.” At 35 years old, Britton hopes his NFL career will continue in Minnesota – along with his cast of characters. “I think it will keep evolving,” said Britton, who explained that left guard Pat Elflein is vying for an ‘Elf on the Shelf’ this December. “I feel like, who knows? Maybe by the end of my career … hopefully I’m here with the Vikings, and it’s just all [filled in] back there,” Britton added, gesturing to the main locker space. “I mean, there’s a lot of places here “Britton’s personality we could put stuff in the back.” brings out some liveliness in everyone.”

- special teams coordinator marwan maalouf 36 2019 vikings playbook

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Bob Miller’s first time outside of the several other U.S. Military veterans, who were Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Hospital in three hosted at the Vikings Museum in recognition months brought him to the Vikings Museum. of Veterans Day. The men and women were Miller, who is recovering from a stroke, visited thanked for their service by Vikings Legends the museum with his wife, Darlene, and Mike Harris (2014-16) and Gene Washington daughter, Kristina Vollmer. (1967-72), whom many of the guests grew up “It’s been very special to spend time with watching. my dad and mom together, because we’ve all Miller recalled attending Vikings games been visiting separately,” Vollmer said. “Being at Metropolitan Stadium. together as a family and doing an outing is “My dad used to take me there, and we really nice.” had to wear snowmobile suits,” said Miller, Miller served three years as a PFC in the cracking a smile on an especially cold November hy-vee veterans voyage U.S. Army. He was joined on Monday by day in Minnesota.

Five World War II veterans embarked this month on an unprecedented Hy-Vee Veterans Voyage. The veterans, who range from 94 to 101 years of age, visited England and France for free thanks to a partnership between Hy-Vee and the Minnesota Vikings. Fred Apfelbacher and Donald J. Halverson served in the United States Army, and Robert Holmstrom, James R. Rasmussen and William T. Patten, 101, served in the U.S. Army Air Forces, the precursor to the Department of the Air Force, which was established in 1947. The heroes visited Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center for a Saturday practice where they were welcomed by Head Coach and players before making their trip overseas. A videographer from Vikings Entertainment Network accompanied the group on the trip to Europe. The veterans are scheduled to attend today’s game to be honored.

2019 vikings playbook 39 united heroes league polaris & vikings help wounded warrior project

A quartet of Vikings players brought smiles and an afternoon of fun to military families salute to service nominee Tuesday afternoon at Camp Ripley, the military and training facility operated by the Minnesota When U.S. military veterans Brian National Guard. Bergson and Jake Schmidt were invited by Long snapper Austin Cutting, running back Wounded Warrior Project for a day of ATV Alexander Mattison and linebackers Ben trail-riding through Polaris Adventures in Gedeon and Cameron Smith partnered with Vikings Director of Security Kim Klawiter is Northern Minnesota, they jumped at the the United Heroes League as approximately 50 this year’s nominee for the league-wide Salute opportunity. young people participated in football drills and to Service Award. But little did they know, that wasn’t all interacted with players the day after Veterans The former Army Master Sgt. is in his 14th that was in store. Day. season with the Vikings, an organization he’s Bergson and Schmidt were surprised one Cutting graduated from the U.S. Air Force followed since its inception in 1961 when he morning this fall when another ATV came Academy this spring and is fulfilling his was growing up in White Bear Lake. around the corner driven by Vikings tight commitment during his rookie season, and By the end of the decade, Klawiter was on his end Tyler Conklin and Cutting. The two Gedeon’s brother is currently serving in the way to Vietnam, a 20-year old in the Army who veterans were thanked for their service Navy. Mattison’s father and two grandfathers progressed from basic training to advanced and gifted with Vikings and Polaris swag served in the Air Force. infantry training at Fort Polk, Louisiana, to bags as well as tickets in the Polaris Club The United Heroes League is today’s leadership training at Fort Benning, Georgia. for today’s game against the Broncos, nonprofit partner of the game. The United Klawiter was assigned to Cu Chi, Vietnam, an where they will be recognized on the field. Heroes League provides sports equipment and area northwest of Saigon known for a tunnel “It’s quite an honor to be able to come covers fees for camps and youth-league sports, system that posed hidden hazards. out and have some fun and kind of forget as well as coordinates special experiences, for “We had a lot of issues with people popping about my troubles and just have a really children in military families. out of trap holes and ambushing us, so we had great time with some brothers,” Bergson to be extra careful,” Klawiter recalled. said. “It was an incredible day.” May 9, 1969, presented Company D, 1st Cutting and Conklin, who has a close friend Battalion, 27th Infantry with heavy fire from serving in the Air Force, enjoyed the chance machine guns. Klawiter responded and was to show gratitude to Bergson and Schmidt. awarded a Bronze Star medal for heroism. “Going through the Air Force Academy In addition to the Bronze Star, Klawiter teaches you a lot about character and received multiple other awards that included discipline, and being able to follow in the a Purple Heart, an air medal for 25 or more footsteps of those that came before you,” combat assaults by helicopter, an Army Cutting said. “It’s an honor to come out commendation medal and Vietnam campaign here and honor them for what they’ve and service medals. done.” As the Vikings fight for victory, you HELP THEM WIN. As people in our community fight to survive, you can HELP THEM WIN, too.

Sign up to be a volunteer bell ringer. Just two hours at a kettle raises an average of $60. That’s enough money to provide a homeless person with two days of food and shelter.

Register to ring at SalvationArmyNorth.org and join the #FightForGood E. CHARLIE JONASEN TOM HOGAN Aug. 29, 1889-March 9, 1989 Feb. 24, 1895 - April 4, 1937 Played: 1921 Marines Played: 1924 Marines, 1925 Detroit After football: Member of Minneapolis Panthers, 1926 Chicago Cardinals Fire Department from 1928-57 Gone too soon: Hogan enlisted with the Spanish Foreign Legion and later became HONORING PAUL “SHORTY” DES JARDIEN a welfare investigator at Detroit Receiving Aug. 24, 1893 - March 7, 1956 Hospital but suffered a fatal heart attack WWI VETERANS Played: 1920 , 1922 Marines at age 42. in the nfl Hall pass: Listed at 6-foot-5 and 190 pounds, the nickname was in jest, but KEN HARRIS Des Jardien’s ability landed him in the June 26, 1894 - September 1965 Hall of Fame in 1955. Played: 1923 Kelleys Placed in charge of Harris threw the first Numerous players from While serving: Historic toss: German prison camp in Paris in 1918 touchdown pass in team history, a 15-yarder Minnesota-based franchises — to Joe Rooney. ARNIE “PUDGE” WYMAN Minneapolis Marines, Duluth Aug. 20, 1895 - March 4, 1961 LEIF STRAND Kelleys, and Played: 1920 Jan. 6, 1899 - April 26, 1968 Was 5-foot-11 and 172 pounds Played: 1924 Kelleys Minneapolis Red Jackets — in Military timeline: Enlisted in Army at Off the grid: Strand served in the American the NFL’s first decade were Fort Snelling in 1917; Commissioned as a Expeditionary Force in France; he later veterans of World War I. Lt.; 5th Field Artillery; Promoted to Capt. graduated with a degree in dentistry before the 1918 Armistice and was president of the University of The National Football League Historic TDs: The Minneapolis native Minnesota’s Alumni Association in 1957. began as the American Pro scored three touchdowns in his first game FRITZ HEINISCH (two blocked punts and an 86-yard Football Association in 1920 June 22, 1900 - Dec. 22, 1983 kickoff return). 1922-23 , 1924 Kenosha and renamed itself in 1922, Played: BOB FOSDICK Maroons, 1926 Eskimos and Racine Tornadoes just four years after Nov. 11, 1894 - Jan. 30, 1990 Post route: Heinisch was Commander of World War I concluded. Played: 1923 Marines American Legion Post 76 from 1934-35. After football: Fosdick, who served in Join us in thanking these HAL ERICKSON France, and his son later owned a real March 10, 1899 - Jan. 28, 1963 contributors to early estate company for nearly 30 years. Played: 1923-24 , 1925- football and other veterans JOE BRANDY, SR. 28 Chicago Cardinals, 1929-30 Red Jackets for their service. Nov. 6, 1897 - July 20, 1971 Coached: 1924 Milwaukee Badgers Coached: 1924 Marines Two Roses: A pharmacist’s mate during Success after serving: The former Army thewar, Erickson was part of the Great by craig peters Lt. became the head coach and taught Lakes Naval Training Station team that math at St. Thomas (1921-25), winning beat the Mare Island Marines in the Rose three state college titles. He returned to Bowl on Jan. 1, 1919. He later played in the

Sources: Information pulled his hometown (Ogdensburg, New York), game again for Washington & Jefferson, from Pro-Football-Reference.com, where he led a newspaper and founded which had a scoreless tie against California newspapers.com and other sources. WSLB radio station. on Jan. 2, 1922.

42 2019 vikings playbook

Get to Get knowto Graceknow HOMETOWN:Grace PLYMOUTH, MN HOMETOWN: PLYMOUTH, MN OCCUPATION: STUDENT OCCUPATION: STUDENT

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2019 vikings playbook 1 2019 vikings playbook 2019 vikings playbook 145 ENTERTAINMENT VIKTOR THE VIKING

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November is National Native Little Earth is a 9.4 acre, 212-unit housing complex west of Hiawatha Avenue in American Heritage Month, a time to Minneapolis. Founded in 1973, Little Earth is the only American Indian preference celebrate the ancestry and traditions project-based Section 8 rental assistance game-day auctions community in the United States. The Minnesota Vikings of Native Americans. Vikings Table also distributed 200 Foundation will be auctioning meals to the Division of Indian Work’s several signed photos as part The Minnesota Vikings Foundation’s youth leadership group and people in the of today’s Salute to Service Vikings Table charity food truck provided community. The Division of Indian Work initiative. Check out the display hundreds of nutritious meals during two empowers urban American Indians through on the main concourse near separate food distributions that focused culturally based education, counseling, Section 101 and use on helping the Native American population advocacy and leadership development. bidpal.net/vikings2019 to bid this fall. The Minnesota Vikings Foundation from your seats. Vikings Table served Little Earth Boys & launched Vikings Table this summer. The Girls Clubs members before opening it up food truck has sold meals to raise funds for to the community. A total of 150 meals free distributions. were provided at that distribution. Visit Vikings.com/vikingstable for more.

nonprofit of the game: united heroes league

The Vikings are proud of their ongoing partnership with the United Heroes League. Based nearby in Hastings, United Heroes League provides sports equipment and covers fees for camps and youth-league sports for children in military families. United Heroes League also helps deliver sports tickets and special experiences through partnerships with the Vikings and other organizations. Visit unitedheroesleague.org to find out how to help.

48 2019 vikings playbook Hays Companies offers comprehensive insurance for every lifestyle.

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spotlight on stephanie williams

STEPHANIE WILLIAMS IS THE TYPE OF INDIVIDUAL who makes guests immediately feel welcome as they enter U.S. Bank Stadium from her station outside the Verizon Gate. Stephanie’s enthusiasm and outgoing personality is just a small display of how she goes above and beyond to welcome the thousands of fans that she interacts with on game days. Originally from Chicago Heights, Illinois, she became a Vikings fan when she moved to Minnesota. She has worked at U.S. Bank Stadium since the venue opened in 2016 and has never looked back. Her love for connecting and interacting with fans is what drives her to be

HAVE YOU WITNESSED A SKOL SERVICE TEAM MEMBER GOING ABOVE energetic and welcoming. and friends. A big chunk of her off-time “I feel like the Guest Experience employees goes toward working with her Sunday school AND BEYOND? should always go the extra mile to make the class, where her love for helping people and fans happy and enjoy their experiences at the opportunity to be a positive influence is E-MAIL YOUR STORY TO the stadium,” Stephanie said about why she showcased. loves to deliver SKOL Service to fans. Thank you, Stephanie, for being a bright When she is not working, Stephanie is light at U.S. Bank Stadium! We salute your [email protected] either at church or spending time with family effort to provide the best SKOL Service.

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 A La Mode Ice Cream is deliciously nut-free, sesame-free, egg free and MARKET BBQ 122 made with natural ingredients! Make sure to pick up a Partly Cloudy, MINI DONUTS 111, 318 A La Mode NACHOS 117 ICE CREAM Wire, Speed Bump or Vanilla Ice Cream treat at the Be Graceful portable O’CHEEZE 108 locations by Section 124 and 328! STEAK AND CHEESE 107

52 2019 vikings playbook

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