Profiles of History

Profiles of History From the list below, select a topic to learn about the Viking greats from years past and other noteworthy events.

Vikings Timeline | The Super Bowls
Notable Individuals | Notable Events

Vikings Timeline:

• The 1960s:
  The franchise is founded, Fran Tarkenton begins his career only to leave, and Bud Grant and other great Vikings begin to arrive.
• The 1970s:
  Fran Tarkenton returns and leads the Vikings to three Super Bowls, the "Purple People Eaters," and the downfall from greatness.
• The 1980s:
  Bud Grant coaches his last game, long time assistant Jerry Burns finally gets the helm, and playoff thrills and spills.
• The 1990s:
  Dennis Green takes the coaching helms early, and Red McCombs takes the ownership reigns later in an offensively productive decade.

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Super Bowls:

• Super Bowl IV:
  On January 11, 1970, the Vikings played against the Kansas City Chiefs.
• Super Bowl VIII:
  On January 13, 1974, the Vikings played against the Miami Dolphins.
• Super Bowl IX:
  On January 12, 1975, the Vikings played against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
• Super Bowl XI:
  On January 9, 1977, the Vikings played against the Oakland Raiders.

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Notable Individuals:

• The Purple People-Eaters:
  Those fearsome warriors of the 70's of Jim Marshall, Alan Page, Carl Eller, and Gary Larsen.
• Fran Tarkenton:
  Hall of Fame quarterback who scrambled his way into our hearts and memories.
• Paul Krause:
  Hall of Fame safety who stole our hearts away.
• Bud Grant:
  Hall of Fame head coach who symbolized the Vikings spanning three decades.

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Other Notable Events:

• The Dallas Hail Mary Pass:
  The famous pass that destroyed the 1975 season.
• The Cleveland Hail Mary Pass:
  Two-Minute Tommy and Ahmad Rashad save the 1980 season.
• The Wrong Way Run:
  It happened, the unthinkable.
• The Herschel Walker Trade:
  The details of the largest trade in NFL history.
• The Get Karlis Plot:
  Kicker Rich Karlis becomes the hapless target of the offensive linemen.

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