1960s

FRANCHISE FOUNDED - Minnesota was granted an NFL franchise at the league owners' meetings in Miami, FL. on Jan. 28, 1960. The team began play in 1961. The founding group consisted of Max Winter, E. William Boyer, H.P Skoglund, Ole Haugsrud and Bernard H. Ridder, Jr.

ROSE NAMED GENERAL MANAGER - In late summer, 1960, former Los Angeles Rams Public Relations Director Bert Rose was named the team's first General Manager.

TEAM NICKNAMED - In one of his first moves with the team, Bert Rose recommended the nickname "Vikings" to the Board of Directors. The name was selected because it represented both an aggressive person with the will to win and the Nordic tradition in the northern Midwest.

FIRST HEAD COACH - Norm Van Brocklin is selected as the first head coach in franchise history. He retired as a player in 1960 after 12 seasons in the NFL.

FIRST COLLEGE DRAFT - On Dec. 27, 1960, running back Tommy Mason of Tulane was taken with the 1st overall choice and the first-ever draft pick utilized by the Vikings. Also selected that year were quarterback Fran Tarkenton (3rd round) and defensive back Ed Sharockman (5th round).

EXPANSION DRAFT - Following the 1960 season, the Vikings were allowed to select 3 players from the roster of each team after each team was allowed to protect 30 of their 38 players. Dallas was exempt from this process. Among the players selected were guard Grady Alderman from Detroit and running back Hugh McElhenny from San Francisco.

ASSIGNED CONFERENCE - On April 12, 1961, the National Football League assigned the Vikings to the Western Conference. Minnesota joined Baltimore, Chicago, Detroit, Green Bay, Los Angeles and San Francisco in the conference.

FIRST GAME - In the first game in franchise history, the Vikings played the Dallas Cowboys in a preseason game in Sioux Falls, SD, on Aug. 5, 1961. The Cowboys defeated the Vikings, 38-13.

FIRST HOME GAME - The Minnesota Vikings played the Los Angeles Rams at Metropolitan Stadium in Bloomington, MN, on Sept. 10, 1961, in the team's first game in the Twin Cities. The Rams defeated the Vikings, 21-17.

FIRST REGULAR-SEASON GAME - In a stunning upset, the Vikings defeated the Chicago Bears, 37-13, at Metropolitan Stadium in the Vikings' first NFL regular-season game on Sept. 17, 1961. Kicker Mike Mercer scored the first points in team history with a 12-yard field goal. Bob Schnelker scored the team's first touchdown on a 14-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton. In his NFL debut Tarkenton came off the bench to complete 17-of-23 passes for 250 yards and 4 touchdowns.

FIRST PRO BOWLERS - On Jan. 14, 1962, running back Hugh McElhenny and wide receiver Jerry Reichow became the first Vikings to compete in the Pro Bowl. They were part of the Western Conference All-Stars who beat the Eastern Conference squad, 31-30, at the Los Angeles Coliseum.

FIRST ALL-PRO - In 1963 running back Tommy Mason, who was the team's first ever draft choice, was the first Vikings player to earn All-Pro recognition. He was a consensus pick after rushing for 763 yards and 7 touchdowns on 166 carries (4.6 avg.).

FINKS HIRED - In September, 1964, Jim Finks was named the team's second general manager, succeeding Bert Rose, who resigned in June, 1964. Finks previously had served as general manager for Calgary of the Canadian Football League for 7 years.

FIRST WINNING SEASON - Minnesota won its final 3 regular-season games in 1964 to achieve the first winning season in team history with an 8-5-1 record. The Vikings tied for 2nd in the NFL Western Conference behind Baltimore.

MET EXPANDED - A new grandstand was constructed on the east side of Metropolitan Stadium that increased capacity from 41,200 to 47,200. The new seats were formally dedicated on Aug. 20, 1965, when Minnesota played Philadelphia in a preseason game.

NFL RE-ALIGNED - On Dec. 2, 1966, Minnesota, Chicago, Detroit and Green Bay were chosen to make up the newly-formed Central Division of the Western Conference of the NFL.

VAN BROCKLIN RESIGNS - After compiling a 29-51-4 record while leading the Vikings in their first six years of existence, Head Coach Norm Van Brocklin resigned in February, 1967. His best season was 1964, when he led the team to a tie for 2nd place in the NFL Western Conference with an 8-5-1 record.

TARKENTON TRADED - On March 7, 1967, quarterback Fran Tarkenton was traded to the New York Giants for a 1st and 2nd-round choice in 1967, a 1st-round choice in '68 and a 2nd-round choice in '69. With the picks Minnesota selected Clinton Jones and Bob Grim in '67, Ron Yary in '68 and Ed White in '69.

GRANT NAMED HEAD COACH - Bud Grant was named the second head coach in Vikings history on March 10, 1967. He came to Minnesota after leading the Winnipeg Blue Bombers to 4 Grey Cup Championships in 10 years as head coach.

FIRST DIVISION TITLE - On Dec. 15, 1968, the Vikings defeated the Philadelphia Eagles, 24-17, at Franklin Field then retired to the dressing room to listen to the Chicago-Green Bay game on the radio. Minnesota needed the Bears to lose to clinch the Vikings' 1st Division title. Chicago tried to rally from a 28-10 4th quarter deficit but eventually fell 28-17.

FIRST PLAYOFF GAME - On Dec. 22, 1968, in the first playoff game in franchise history, the Colts defeated the Vikings, 24-14, in the Western Conference Championship Game at Baltimore's Memorial Stadium. Minnesota trailed 21-0 in the 4th quarter but a late rally fell short.

SECOND DIVISION TITLE - On Nov. 27, 1969, the Vikings shut out Detroit, 27-0, at Tigers Stadium to clinch the franchise's 2nd division title. The victory over the Lions was the 10th of a 12-game win streak, the longest in the NFL in 35 years. Minnesota finished the season with the NFL's best record (12-2) of '69.

FIRST PLAYOFF WIN - On Dec. 27, 1969, in the first NFL playoff game in Minnesota, the Vikings came from behind to defeat the Los Angeles Rams, 23-20, in the Western Conference Championship Game. Minnesota overcame deficits of 17-7 at halftime and 20-14 in the 4th quarter for the franchise's 1st postseason win.

1970s

FIRST NFL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME - The Vikings defeated the Browns, 27-7, in the NFL Championship Game on Jan. 4, 1970, at Metropolitan Stadium. Minnesota became the 1st modern NFL expansion team to win an NFL Championship Game. The Vikings dominated the game, leading 27-0 at one point.

FIRST SUPER BOWL - On Jan. 11, 1970, the Vikings lost to Kansas City, 23-7, in Super Bowl IV at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans. Not only was the game the 1st Super Bowl in franchise history, but it was the 1st Super Bowl played by a modern expansion team.

THIRD DIVISION TITLE - On Dec. 5, 1970, the Vikings defeated the Bears, 16-13, at Metropolitan Stadium to clinch their 3rd straight division title. Minnesota hosted San Francisco in a divisional playoff game but lost, 17-14. For the 2nd consecutive season, the Vikings had the league's best record with a 12-2 mark.

FOURTH DIVISION TITLE - On Dec. 11, 1971, the Vikings defeated the Lions, 29-10, at Metropolitan Stadium to clinch their 4th straight division title. Minnesota finished the year with an 11-3 mark, which tied Dallas for the league's best record in '71. The Vikings lost to the eventual Super Bowl champion Cowboys, 20-12, in a divisional playoff game at Metropolitan Stadium.

PAGE NAMED NFL'S MVP - In 1971 Alan Page became the first defensive player to be named the Most Valuable Player of the National Football League by the Associated Press. Page headed a Vikings defense that held opponents to fewer than 10 points a game to lead the league in scoring defense for the 3rd consecutive year.

VIKINGS RE-ACQUIRE TARKENTON - In 1972 the Vikings traded Norm Snead, Bob Grim, Vince Clements and a 1st-round choice in '72 and '73 to the New York Giants for Fran Tarkenton.

BOYER DIES - In 1972 E. William Boyer passed away. He was one of the prime forces in the drive to bring an NFL franchise to Minnesota. Boyer was president of the Vikings from 1960-64 and sat on the Board of Directors for the first 12 years of the team's existence. He was replaced on the team's Board of Directors by his son-inlaw Jack Steele.

FIFTH DIVISION TITLE - The Vikings began the '73 season with 9 straight victories and clinched the NFC Central championship before they even lost a game. Minnesota clinched the division crown by defeating Detroit, 28-7, at Metropolitan Stadium on Nov. 11, 1973. The Vikings finished with a 12-2 mark, which tied for the best record in the league that year.

SECOND SUPER BOWL - On Jan. 13, 1974, the Vikings played in the 2nd Super Bowl in franchise history against the Miami Dolphins at Rice Stadium in Houston, TX. The Dolphins prevailed, 24-7. Minnesota earned the trip to Super Bowl VIII by defeating Dallas, 27-10, in the NFC Championship game.

FINKS RESIGNS - After the 1973 season, Executive Vice President and General Manager Jim Finks resigned. Under Finks, who was hired in 1964, the Vikings won 5 division titles and appeared in 2 Super Bowls. He also hired Bud Grant as head coach in '67.

SIXTH DIVISION TITLE - On Dec. 1, 1974, the Vikings clinched the NFC Central crown by defeating the Saints, 29-9, at Metropolitan Stadium, while the Packers lost, 36-14, at Philadelphia. Minnesota tied for the best record in the NFC with a 10-4 mark.

THIRD SUPER BOWL - The Vikings played in their 2nd straight Super Bowl, losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers, 16-6, at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans on Jan. 12, 1975. Minnesota earned a trip to Super Bowl IX by defeating the Los Angeles Rams, 14-10, at Metropolitan Stadium on Dec. 29, 1974.

FRONT OFFICE CHANGES - In the spring of 1975, Max Winter, one of the team? founders and its president since 1965, took over active management of the franchise. In addition, Mike Lynn, who was hired as an assistant to the president on Aug. 15, 1974, is named the team's general manager.

SEVENTH DIVISION TITLE - The Vikings clinched their 3rd straight NFC Central title and their 7th division championship in 8 years on Thanksgiving Day Nov. 27, 1975, when the Lions lost to the Rams, 20-0. Minnesota won 10 consecutive games to start the season and finished the year with the best record (12-2) in the NFL. The Vikings were upset, 17-14, in the divisional playoffs at Metropolitan Stadium on Dec. 28, 1975, when the Dallas Cowboys scored on a last minute 50-yard touchdown pass.

TARKENTON NAMED LEAGUE MVP - Quarterback Fran Tarkenton was named the NFL's Most Valuable Player for 1975 after leading the Vikings to the league's best record (12-2). He led the NFC and finished 2nd in the NFL in passing with a 91.7 rating. He completed 273-of-425 passes for 2,994 yards and 25 touchdowns with 13 interceptions.

HAUGSRUD DIES - Ole Haugsrud passed away in March, 1976. He was one of the prime forces in the drive to bring an NFL franchise to Minnesota. Haugsrud sat on the Board of Directors for 16 years of the team's existence. He was replaced on the team's Board of Directors by his widow Margaret Haugsrud.

EIGHTH DIVISION TITLE - The Vikings clinched their 4th consecutive NFC Central championship and their 8th division title in 9 years by defeating the Packers, 17-10, at Milwaukee County Stadium on Nov. 21, 1976. Minnesota finished the season with the best record in the NFC at 11-2-1.

FOURTH SUPER BOWL - The Vikings played in their 3rd Super Bowl in 4 years against the Oakland Raiders at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA, on Jan. 9, 1977. Minnesota lost, 32-14. The Vikings earned a trip to Super Bowl XI by defeating the Rams, 24-13, at Metropolitan Stadium on Dec. 26, 1976, in what ended up being the last Vikings playoff game at the Met.

KAPLAN NAMED TO BOARD - In 1977 team attorney Sheldon Kaplan was named to the Vikings Board of Directors. He replaced Bernard H. Ridder, Jr., who was one of the team's 5 founders.

NINTH DIVISION TITLE - The Vikings clinched the NFC Central crown on the season's final weekend by defeating the Lions, 30-21, in Detroit on Dec. 17, 1977. Minnesota wrapped up its 5th straight NFC Central title and its 9th division crown in 10 seasons.

FOURTH NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME - On Jan. 1, 1978, the Vikings played Dallas in their 4th NFC Championship Game in 5 years at Texas Stadium. Minnesota lost to the eventual Super Bowl Champs, 23-6.

CHANGES ON BOARD - John Skoglund and Vikings General Manager Mike Lynn were named to the team's Board of Directors replacing Margaret Haugsrud and H.P. Skoglund, who was one of the team's founders. Haugsrud joined the board in 1976, replacing her husband Ole, who passed away.

10TH DIVISION TITLE - Despite losing in the regular-season finale to the Raiders, 27-20, on Dec. 17, 1978, at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, the Vikings captured the NFC Central title when the Packers, who played at the same time as Minnesota, lost to the Rams, 31-14, at the LA Coliseum. It was the Vikings' 6th straight NFC Central crown and their 10th division championship in 11 years.

METRODOME GROUND BREAKING - In December, 1979, ground was broken for construction of the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in downtown Minneapolis. The stadium, which will house both the Vikings and Twins, was scheduled to open in April, 1982.

1980s

11TH DIVISION TITLE - Minnesota clinched its 7th NFC Central title in 8 years by defeating the Browns, 28-23, at Met Stadium on Dec. 14, 1980. It also was the Vikings' 11th division title in 13 seasons. Minnesota lost to the NFC Champion Eagles, 31-16, at Veterans Stadium on Jan. 3, 1981, in the divisional playoffs.

WINTER PARK OPENS - On May 15, 1981, the Vikings moved into a new facility in Eden Prairie that houses the team's offices, locker room and practice fields. The complex was named "Winter Park" after Max Winter, one of the Vikings founders who served as the team's president from 1965-87.

FAREWELL MET - On Dec. 20, 1981, the Vikings hosted the Chiefs in Minnesota's final game at Metropolitan Stadium. The Vikings lost, 10-6. The final points at the stadium were scored on a 33-yard field goal by Minnesota kicker Rick Danmeier. The last Vikings touchdown at Met Stadium was scored on a 6-yard run by Ted Brown against Green Bay on Nov. 29, 1981.

METRODOME OPENS - The Vikings played their 1st game at the Metrodome in a preseason matchup against Seattle on Aug. 21, 1982. Minnesota prevailed, 7-3. The 1st touchdown in the new facility was scored by Joe Senser on an 11-yard pass from Tommy Kramer. The 1st regular-season game in the Metrodome was the 1982 opener on September 12, when the Vikings defeated Tampa Bay, 17-10. Rickey Young scored the 1st regular-season touchdown in the facility on a 3-yard run in the 2nd quarter.

12TH PLAYOFF APPEARANCE - In a strikeshortened 9-game 1982 season, the Vikings won 3-of-their-last-4 regular-season games to earn a post-season berth.

FIRST DOME PLAYOFF GAME - On Jan. 9, 1983, the Vikings defeated Atlanta, 30-24, in a 1st-round game that was the 1st playoff matchup in the Metrodome. Minnesota lost to the eventual Super Bowl Champion Redskins, 21-7, in the NFC semi-finals at RFK Stadium on Jan. 15, 1983.

GRANT RETIRES - On Jan. 27, 1984, Bud Grant retired as Head Coach of the Vikings. In 17 seasons Grant led Minnesota to 12 playoff appearances, 11 division titles and 4 Super Bowls. His career regular-season record was 151-87-5 (.632).

STECKEL HIRED - Les Steckel, who was an offensive assistant with the Vikings for 5 seasons, was named the 3rd head coach in franchise history on Jan. 29, 1984. Steckel, who came to the Vikings in 1979 after working as an assistant with the 49ers, was the youngest head coach in the NFL in '84 at age 38.

GRANT RE-HIRED - On Dec. 18, 1984 Bud Grant was re-hired as the head coach of the Vikings. He replaced Les Steckel who guided the team in 1984 after Grant retired following the 1983 season.

GRANT RE-RETIRES - On Jan. 6, 1986, following the 1985 season, Bud Grant retired as head coach of the Vikings. He originally retired after the 1983 season but returned to coach the team in '85. At the time of his retirement he was the 6th winningest coach in NFL history with 168 career wins, including playoffs. In 18 seasons he led the Vikings to a 158-96-5 regularseason record.

BURNS HIRED - Longtime Vikings assistant coach Jerry Burns was named the 4th head coach in team history on Jan. 7, 1986. He served as the Vikings offensive coordinator from 1968-85, when the team won 11 division titles and played in 4 Super Bowls.

TARKENTON ENSHRINED - On Aug. 2, 1986 Fran Tarkenton became the 1st player who spent the majority of his career with the Vikings to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He retired following the 1978 season with NFL career records for passing yards (47,003), completions (3,686) and touchdown passes (342). He led the team to 6 NFC Central titles, 4 NFC Championship Games and 3 Super Bowls.

13TH PLAYOFF APPEARANCE - Despite a strike replacement unit that saddled the Vikings with 3 losses, the team made the playoffs as a wild-card entrant with an 8-7 record in 1987. It was the team's 1st postseason appearance under Jerry Burns, who was in his 2nd season as the Vikings head coach.

FIFTH NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME - The Vikings played the Redskins in the NFC Championship Game on Jan. 17, 1988, at RFK Stadium. Trailing 17-10, the Vikings drove to the Redskins' 6-yard line with a little over a minute left in the game but failed to get the ball into the end zone. Minnesota upset New Orleans, 44-10, at the Superdome and San Francisco, 36-24, at Candlestick Park in the first 2 rounds of the playoffs to earn a trip to the conference title game.

BOARD ADDS MEMBERS - Four people were added to the Vikings Board of Directors in 1988. Joining Max Winter, John Skoglund, Jack Steele, Sheldon Kaplan and Mike Lynn were Wheelock Whitney, Jaye Dyer, Irwin Jacobs and Carl Pohlad.

PAGE ENSHRINED - On July 30, 1988, Alan Page became the 2nd player who spent the majority of his career with the Vikings to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Drafted by Minnesota in the 1st round in 1967, Page made the Pro Bowl 9 times. In 1971 he became the 1st defensive player to be named the NFL's Most Valuable Player by Associated Press. Page played on teams that won 10 NFC Central titles and played in 4 Super Bowls.

14TH PLAYOFF APPEARANCE - The Vikings won 6-of-their-last-7 games in 1988 to earn a wild-card berth into the playoffs. Minnesota finished with an 11-5 record then defeated the Rams, 28-17, on December 26 in a firstround playoff game at the Metrodome. The Vikings fell the following week to eventual Super Bowl Champion San Francisco, 34-9, at Candlestick Park.

REMAINING FOUNDER LEAVES BOARD - In 1989 Max Winter, the last of the original 5 Vikings' founders on the team's Board of Directors, left the board. He also served as the team's president from 1965-87. He was replaced on the board by Gerald Schwalbach.

WALKER ACQUIRED - On Oct. 12, 1989, the Vikings acquired Herschel Walker from Dallas for Issiac Holt, David Howard, Darrin Nelson, Jesse Solomon, Alex Stewart, a first-round choice in 1992, conditional 1st-round choices in 1990 and '91, conditional 2nd-round choices in 1990, '91 and '92, and a conditional 3rd-round choice in 1992. The final result of the trade gave the Vikings Walker, a 3rd (Mike Jones), 5th (Reggie Thornton) and 10th-round choice (Pat Newman) in 1990 and a 3rd-round choice in 1991 (Jake Reed), while Dallas received all 5 players, a 1st, 2nd and 6th-round choice in 1990, a 1st and 2nd-round choice in 1991 and a 1st, 2nd and 3rd-round choice in 1992.

12TH DIVISION TITLE - The Vikings captured their 12th division title since 1968 by defeating the Cincinnati Bengals, 29-21, at the Metrodome in a Monday night game on Christmas Day in 1989. It also was Minnesota's 15th postseason appearance in the past 22 years. The Vikings finished the season with a 10-6 record but lost to eventual Super Bowl Champion San Francisco, 41-13, at Candlestick Park in the divisional playoffs on Jan. 6, 1990.

1990s

HEADRICK NAMED TEAM PRESIDENT - On Jan. 1, 1991, Roger Headrick became president and Chief Executive Officer of the Vikings. He replaced Mike Lynn as the person in charge of day-to-day operations of the club. In addition Headrick and Philip Maas replaced Jack Steele and Sheldon Kaplan on the board of directors.

BURNS RETIRES - On Dec. 3, 1991, Jerry Burns announced his retirement. In 6 seasons as Head Coach of the Vikings, Burns compiled a career record of 52-43 (.547). He also led Minnesota to 3 playoff appearances, including a division title and an NFC Championship Game.

CHANGES ON BOARD - On Dec. 16, 1991, the team's ownership structure was reorganized. Irwin Jacobs and Carl Pohlad sold their shares to an ownership group consisting of Vikings President and CEO Roger Headrick, John Skoglund, Jaye Dyer, Philip Maas, Mike Lynn, Wheelock Whitney, James Binger, Bud Grossman, Elizabeth MacMillan and Carol Sperry.

GREEN NAMED HEAD COACH - On Jan. 10, 1992, Dennis Green was named the 5th Head Coach in team history. He came to Minnesota after turning around a struggling Stanford University football program as head coach there from 1989-91.

13TH DIVISION TITLE - On Dec. 20, 1992, the Vikings defeated the Steelers, 6-3, at Three Rivers Stadium to earn the franchise's 13th division title. It also was Minnesota's 16th playoff season since 1968. Dennis Green also posted the most victories (11) and the 1st division title by a 1st-year head coach in team history. The Vikings lost to the defending Super Bowl champion Redskins, 24-7, in a 1st-round playoff game  at the Metrodome on Jan. 2, 1993.

17TH PLAYOFF APPEARANCE - For the first time since 1974, the Vikings won their final 3 regular-season games to earn a wild-card playoff berth. It was the team's 17th postseason appearance since 1968. Minnesota lost to the Giants, 17-10, in Giants Stadium in a first-round playoff game on Jan. 9, 1994.

MOON ACQUIRED - On April 14, 1994, the Vikings traded a 4th-round draft choice in 1994 and a 3rd-round draft choice in 1995 to the Houston Oilers for quarterback Warren Moon, who has thrown for more yardage and touchdowns as a professional than any other player. He set team season records for passing yards (4,264) in '94 and for completions (377) and touchdown passes (33) in '95.

GRANT ENSHRINED - On July 30, 1994, Bud Grant was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He coached the Vikings from 1967-83 then again in '85. During his tenure Minnesota made the playoffs 12 times, won 11 division titles and played in 4 Super Bowls. Grant also was the first person to be elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the Canadian Football League Hall of Fame.

14TH DIVISION TITLE - On the final day of the 1994 regular season, the Vikings defeated the 49ers, 21-14, in a Monday night game to earn their 2nd NFC Central title in 3 seasons and their 3rd straight playoff berth. It also was Minnesota's 14th division title and 18th postseason appearance since 1968. Dennis Green became only the 7th coach in NFL history to lead his team to the playoffs in each of his first 3 seasons.

FINKS ENSHRINED - Former Vikings General Manager Jim Finks was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on July 25, 1995. During his decade with Minnesota, the team won 5 division titles and appeared in 2 Super Bowls. Finks passed away on May 8, 1994 and was inducted posthumously, represented by his family.

WINTER PASSES AWAY - Max Winter, who served as the owner and President of the Vikings from 1965-87, passed away on July 26, 1996.  He was one of the prime forces bringing an NFL franchise to Minnesota and was a big factor in the building of the Metrodome and attracting Super Bowl XXVI to the Twin Cities.

19TH PLAYOFF APPEARANCE - On Dec. 15, 1996, the Vikings defeated the Buccaneers, 21-10, in the Metrodome. After a Washington loss to Arizona later that day, Minnesota was guaranteed a playoff berth for the 19th time since 1968 and the 4th time in 5 seasons under Dennis Green. The Vikings lost, 40-15, to the defending Super Bowl Champion Dallas Cowboys in a first-round playoff game at Texas Stadium on Dec. 28, 1996.

20TH PLAYOFF APPEARANCE - On Dec. 21, 1997, the Vikings beat the Colts in the regular season finale to reach the playoffs for the 20th time in team history and the 5th time in 6 seasons under Dennis Green. The Vikings went on the road and came back from 16 points down to defeat the New York Giants 23-22 at the Meadowlands on Dec. 27, 1997. It was the biggest comeback win in team playoff history and the 5th biggest postseason comeback in NFL history. The following week the Vikings lost, 38-22, to the San Francisco 49ers at 3Com Park in the Divisional Playoffs on Jan. 3, 1998.

KRAUSE ENSHRINED - On August 1, 1998, Paul Krause was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Krause played free safety with the Vikings from 1968-79 and the Redskins from 1964-67. He holds the NFL record for career interceptions with 81. Krause was selected to 8 Pro Bowls in his 15-year career.

BOARD AGREES TO SELL - On July 3, 1998, The Minnesota Vikings 10 owners voted unanimously to accept the bid of Texas businessman B.J. "Red" McCombs to purchase the Vikings organization.

NFL APPROVES McCOMBS - On July 28, 1998, the NFL owners unanimously approved Red McCombs' purchase of the Minnesota Vikings, finalizing the change of ownership from the 10 previous owners to sole ownership by McCombs.

WOODS NAMED TEAM PRESIDENT - On August 20, 1998, Gary Woods became President and Chief Executive Officer of the Vikings. He replaced Roger Headrick as the person responsible for day-to-day operations of the franchise.

GREEN GRANTED CONTRACT EXTENSION - Head Coach Dennis Green received a 3-year contract extension on September 5, the day before the 1998 regular-season opener vs. Tampa Bay. Named Head Coach in January 1992, Green was named Vice President of Football Operations prior to the 1999 season, placing him in charge of all aspects of the Vikings' football operation.

VIKINGS 15 WINS BEST IN TEAM HISTORY - The Vikings won their 15th NFC Central Division title and became only the 3rd team in NFL history to go 15-1 through the regular season with their 26-16 win at Tennessee in the regular-season finale. The Vikings also established a new NFL scoring record with 556 points, breaking the old mark of 541 set by the 1983 Washington Redskins.

SIXTH NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME - The Vikings hosted Atlanta in the 6th NFC Championship game in franchise history with a berth in Super Bowl XXXIII on the line. The teams played to a 27-27 deadlock during regulation, forcing the game into overtime where the Falcons claimed a 30-27 win. It was the first NFC Championship game played in the Metrodome.

22ND PLAYOFF APPEARANCE - The Vikings turned their 1999 season around, winning eight of the final 10 games to finish 10-6 and host a 1st-round playoff game vs. Dallas. Robert Smith set a team post-season record with 140 rushing yards in the 27-10 win over the Cowboys. The Vikings fell 49-37 to eventual Super Bowl XXXIV champion St. Louis in the Divisional Round at the TWA Dome.

2000

CARTER NAMED MAN OF THE YEAR - Cris Carter was honored as the first recipient of the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award for civic involvement, charity work and displaying high character on January 29, 2000, in a ceremony during Super Bowl week in Atlanta. The award was re-named after Payton, a Hall of Fame running back who died in 1999.

KELLY NAMED TO EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT POSITION - Former team lawyer Mike Kelly was named the team's Executive Vice President in February 2000. His duties include overseeing all business related matters for the team and serving as the team's point person in the drive for a new stadium.

SMITH BREAKS TEAM RUSHING RECORD - Robert Smith surpassed Chuck Foreman's 20-year-old-career rushing record in the team's 28-16 win at Chicago (10/15/00). Smith ended his career with 6,818 yards. He also established a new team record with 1,521 rushing yards on the season and holds the team record with 29 career 100-yard games.

40th ANNIVERSARY TEAM ANNOUNCED - The Vikings celebrated their 40th season of NFL football in 2000, highlighted by a luncheon on November 30 to introduce the Vikings 40th Anniversary Team. That night the Vikings topped Detroit 24-17 and Cris Carter caught his 1,000th pass on a 4-yard TD from Daunte Culpepper.  Carter was only the 2nd player in NFL history to record 1,000 career receptions.

15TH DIVISION TITLE - The Vikings overcame every critic's expectations in 2000 to post an 11-5 regular-season record, win the franchise's 15th NFC Central title and made the 23rd playoff appearance in team history, ending in the team's 7th NFC Championship game at Giants Stadium.

YARY ENSHRINED - On August 4, 2001, Ron Yary was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Yary played 14 seasons with Minnesota and played in 4 Super Bowls and 7 Pro Bowls during his career.

TICE REPLACES GREEN - On January 4, 2002, Mike Tice replaced Dennis Green on the sideline for the Vikings. Tice coached the 2001 regular season finale at Baltimore. Green assembled a 97-62 regular season record at the helm of the Vikings. Green led the team to 4 NFC Central Division titles and twice played in the NFC Championship game. Green's teams made the playoffs in 8 of his 10 seasons as Head Coach.

TICE NAMED HEAD COACH - On January 10, 2002, Mike Tice was named the 6th Head Coach in Vikings history. Tice is the 3rd of the 6 Vikings Head Coaches to be promoted from within the team's coaching ranks but is the 1st Head Coach to have played for the Vikings.

VIKINGS LEAD NFL IN RUSHING - The 2002 Vikings led the NFL in rushing for the 1st time in team history with 2,507 yards for the season, an average of 156.7 yards per game. Second-year RB Michael Bennett ranked 2nd in team history with 1,296 rushing yards and earned a berth in the Pro Bowl. The Vikings set team records for rushing TDs (26), average per carry (5.3) and total first downs (350). The team also established an NFL mark by becoming the 1st team to make a successful 2-point conversion to win a game when Daunte Culpepper scored on a 2-point run with :05 remaining in the game to give the Vikings a 32-31 win at New Orleans on December 15, 2002. Culpepper proved to be a dangerous runner himself in 2002, setting team records for attempts (106), yards (609) and rushing TDs (10) by a QB.

VIKINGS COACHING HISTORY

Years: 1961-66
Head Coach: Norm Van Brocklin
Total Games: 84
Regular Season (%): 29-51-4 (.369)
Playoffs (%): 0-0-0 (.000)
Overall (%): 29-51-4 (.369)

Years: 1967-83, '85
Head Coach: Bud Grant
Total Games: 281
Regular Season (%): 158-96-5 (.618)
Playoffs (%): 10-12-0 (.454)
Overall (%): 168-108-5 (.607)

Years: 1984
Head Coach: Les Steckel
Total Games: 16
Regular Season (%): 3-13-0 (.188)
Playoffs (%): 0-0-0 (.000)
Overall (%): 3-13-0 (.188)

Years: 1986-91
Head Coach: Jerry Burns
Total Games: 101
Regular Season (%): 52-43-0 (.547)
Playoffs (%): 3-3-0 (.500)
Overall (%): 55-46-0 (.544)

Years: 1992-2001
Head Coach: Dennis Green
Total Games: 171
Regular Season (%): 97-62-0 (.610)
Playoffs (%): 4-8-0 (.250)
Overall (%): 101-70-0 (.591)

Years: 2001-02
Head Coach: Mike Tice
Total Games: 17
Regular Season (%): 6-11-0 (.353)
Playoffs (%): 0-0-0 (.000)
Overall (%): 6-11-0 (.353)

TOTAL
Regular Season (%): 670 345-276-9 (.545)
Playoffs (%): 17-23-0 (.425)
Overall (%): 362-299-9 (.547)

Norm Van Brocklin - Named Vikings Head Coach in 1961...The former quarterback had retired from the NFL following the 1960 season after 12 professional seasons with the Los Angeles Rams (1949-57) and Philadelphia Eagles (1958-60)... "The Dutchman" led the Eagles to the NFL crown in 1960 and was the League MVP...Set an NFL record with 554 passing yards in the 1951 season opener...Threw for 23,611 yards and 173 TDs in his NFL career and played in 10 Pro Bowls...Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1971...Coached 84 games with the Vikings with a 29-51-4 record....Went on to coach the Atlanta Falcons from 1968-73...Born March 15, 1926 in Eagle Butte, SD...Died May 2, 1983...Attended the University of Oregon where he was an All-American.

Bud Grant - Named Vikings Head Coach on March 10, 1967...Came to Minnesota following a successful coaching career in the Canadian Football League with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, leading the team to 4 Grey Cup championships and playing in the game 6 times...Coached the Vikings in 281 total games, retiring after the 1983 season only to be coaxed back to coach the team again in 1985 before retiring for good...Former standout athlete at University of Minnesota where he earned 4 letters in football, 3 in basketball and 2 in baseball from 1946-49..Played with the NBA's Minneapolis Lakers for 2 seasons, winning the NBA title each season...Played for the Philadelphia Eagles in 1951 and '52, ranking 2nd in the NFL in 1952 with 57 catches and being voted to the Pro Bowl...Went on to play end and defensive back in Winnipeg from 1953-56 where he led the CFL in catches 3 times and posted 5 interceptions in a game...Led Vikings to Super Bowl IV, VIII, IX and XI...Won 11 Central Division titles and made 12 appearances in the playoffs...Member of both the CFL and Pro Football Halls of Fame, inducted into the CFL Hall of Fame on 1983 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1994...Born May 20, 1927 in Superior, WI...Resides in Bloomington, MN...An avid outdoorsman who travels the world hunting and fishing.

Les Steckel - Named Vikings Head Coach on January 29, 1984...Coached the Vikings for the 1984 season, finishing 3-13...Served as an offensive assistant with the Vikings for 5 seasons prior to taking over head coaching duties...Came to Minnesota in 1979 after working on the San Francisco 49ers staff...Was the youngest Head Coach in the NFL in 1984 at age 38...Born July 1, 1946 in Whitehall, PA...Began his playing career at Kansas as a walk-on, playing 4 seasons for the Jayhawks as a running back...Worked for Senator Robert Kennedy's campaign as a volunteer following his 1968 graduation...Joined the Marine Corps and served as an infantry Lieutenant, seeing combat in Vietnam...Left the service in 1972 and began his coaching career at Colorado, working with the Buffaloes from 1972-76, the US Naval Academy in 1977 and the 49ers in 1978.

Jerry Burns - Named Vikings Head Coach on January 7, 1986...Served as Vikings offensive coordinator from 1968-85, guiding the team to 4 Super Bowl berths and 11 Central Division titles...Served as Vikings Head Coach 6 seasons, 1986-91...Coached the team in 101 total games, going 52-43 in the regular season and 3-3 in the playoffs...Led the Vikings to the NFC Championship game in 1987, earning upset wins at New Orleans and San Francisco along the way before falling to the Redskins 17-10 in Washington...Won the NFC Central in 1989...Coached in 6 Super Bowls, 4 as Vikings offensive coordinator and 2 as the Green Bay Packers' defensive backs coach in Super Bowls I and II...Played QB for Michigan on the 1950 Rose Bowl team...Began his coaching career in 1951 at University of Hawaii...Head Coach at the University of Iowa from 1961-65...Born January 24, 1927...Resides in Eden Prairie, MN.

Dennis Green - Named Vikings Head Coach on January 10, 1992...Came to Minnesota after reviving the Stanford University football program, serving as Head Coach from 1989-91, the only Vikings Head Coach to come directly from the college ranks...Coached 171 total games in 10 seasons with the Vikings, leading the team to 4 Central Division titles and the NFC Championship game twice...Vikings made the playoffs 8 of Green? 10 seasons and the 1998 club set the NFL single-season scoring record at 556 points, averaging 34.8 points per game...An advocate of community involvement, Green initiated Community Tuesdays, which had players active in the Twin Cities on their day off, a concept that spread to the entire National Football League...Born February 17, 1949 in Harrisburg, PA...Named NFL Coach of the Year in 1992 by the Washington Touchdown Club and in 1998 by Sports Illustrated and the Maxwell Club.

Mike Tice - Named Vikings Head Coach on January 10, 2002, after serving as the team? coach for the final regular season game of the 2001 season...Became the 1st Vikings player to go on and serve as Head Coach...Enjoyed a 14-year NFL playing career as a TE, including 1992-93, ?5 with the Vikings...Played in 177 career games with Seattle, Washington and Minnesota...Originally signed by Seattle as a rookie free agent QB in 1981...Born February 2, 1959 in Bayshore, NY...Began coaching career with Minnesota Vikings as TE coach in 1996...Coached offensive line from 1997-2001 and added title of Assistant Head Coach in 2001.

VIKINGS ALL-TIME ASSISTANT COACHES

Norm Van Brocklin 1961-66
Walt Yowarsky, Darrel Brewster (1961-63), Harry Gilmer (1961-64), Stan West (1961-63), Tom McCormick (1963-66), Marion Campbell (1964-66), Lew Carpenter (1964-66), Jack Faulkner (1965), Jim Carr (1966).

Bud Grant 1967-83
Buster Mertes, John Michels, Jim Carr (1967-68, 1978-81), Bob Hollway 1967-70, '78-83), Jerry Burns (1968-83), Neill Armstrong (1969-77), Jack Patera (1969-75), Jocko Nelson (1971-78), Buddy Ryan (1976-77), Murray Warmath (1978-79), Floyd Reese (1979-83), Les Steckel (1979-83), Tom Cecchini (1980-83), Jed Hughes (1982-83).

Les Steckel 1984
Tom Batta, Raymond Berry, Bud Bjornaraa, Dean Brittenham, Jerry Burns, Ross Fichtner, Bob Hollway, Bob Leahy, Buster Mertes, John Michels, Dan Radakovich, Floyd Reese, Dick Rehbein, Mike Sweatman.

Bud Grant 1985
Tom Batta, Jerry Burns, Pete Carroll, Bob Hollway, John Michels, Floyd Reese, Dick Rehbein, Marc Trestman, Paul Wiggin.

Jerry Burns 1986-91
Tom Batta, John Michels, Dick Rehbein, Paul Wiggin, Pete Carroll (1986-89), Bob Hollway (1986), Monte Kiffin (1986-89, ?1), Floyd Peters (1986-90), Bob Schnelker (1986-90), Marc Trestman (1986, ?9-91), John Brunner (1987-91), Rollie Dotsch (1987), Jerry Brown (1988-91), Maxie Baughan (1989-91), Tom Moore (1989-91).

Dennis Green, Mike Tice 1992-2001
Richard Solomon, Steve Wetzel (1992-01), Tom Batta (1992-93), Jack Burns (1992-93), Brian Billick (1992-98), Tony Dungy (1992-95), Monte Kiffin (1992-94), John Michels (1992-93), Tom Moore (1992-93), Willie Shaw (1992-93, 2001), John Teerlinck (1992-94), Tyrone Willingham (1992-94), Mike Wolf (1992-94), Chris Foerster (1993-95), Carl Hargrave (1994-2001), Foge Fazio (1995-99), John Levra (1995-97), Chip Myers (1995-98), Ray Sherman (1995-97, ?9), Jeff Friday (1996-98), Tom Olivadotti (1996-99), Mike Tice (1996-2001), Dave Atkins (1997-99), Wade Harman (1997-98), Hubbard Alexander (1998-99), Andre Patterson (1998-99), Dean Dalton (1999-2001), John Kasper (1999), John Tice (1999-2001), Alex Wood (1999-2001), Charlie Baggett (2000-01), John Fontes (2000), Chuck Knox, Jr. (2000-01), Daryl Lawrence (2000-01), Sherman Lewis (2000-01), Emmitt Thomas (2000-01), Fred von Appen (2000), Brian Baker (2001), Gary Zauner (1994-01), Trent Walters (1994-01), Keith Rowen (1994-96), Jerry Rhome (1994), Mark Asanovich (1995).

Mike Tice 2002-03
Charlie Baggett, Brian Baker, Pete Bercich, Dean Dalton, Jay Hayes (2002), Chuck Knox, Jr., Daryl Lawrence, Scott Linehan, Steve Loney, George O?eary, Jim Panagos, Willie Shaw (2002), John Tice, Steve Wetzel, Alex Wood (2002), Randy Hanson (2003), Kevin Ross (2003), Rusty Tillman (2003).