Bears @ Vikings 1/1/2012 Vikings 13 Bears 17
Another division game and the Vikes blow another 10 point lead and endure a final loss of a very disappointing 3-11 2011 season.
The weather was cold with some snow on this New Years weekend, still had a great time though.
I attended KFAN's 50th Friday Football Feast with Paul Allen & Paul Charchian and it was packed and Viking's fan fun per usual. PA, Charch & KFAN are really great!
Here are pictures from my trip...
Heading out from Denver
KFAN's 50th Friday Football Feast / Buffalo Wild Wings, Savage MN 12/30/2011
The Captain of the RUBE ship / Paul Allen, Voice of the Vikings, and KFAN's elite Football Mind!
With PA
With your Friday Football Feast Host's, Paul Allen & Paul Charchian
With Mike Wobschall. You can visit Mike here: blog.vikings.com
A packed BBW's on a Friday at 10am no less!
(L-R) Wobby (Mike Wobschall), Charch (Paul Charchian) & PA (Paul Allen)
Wobby doin' his bit as Charch looks on
Wobby goin' off!
Wobby, Charch & PA thank the Viking Faithful for their attendance and non-stop support of the team through this tough season!
Hence a 50th BBW show.... you go Viking's faithful!! I Love Minny!!
Open mic with the rubes
Duh...
Kevin Gorg joins the Feast
Kevin's final segment
Beating the Bears finale
I always stop by my favorite Minnesota Sports Bar Senser's www.sensers.com. The Roseville location this time.
Downtown Minneapolis
Early morning New Years Day
Cold morning in downtown Minny 14 degrees....aah feels good
Tailgating
Metrodome Plaza West
Miller Lite End zone / Autograph Alley
The Three Vikings alumni signing early
RB Oscar Reed & LB Matt Blair
With RB Oscar Reed
Oscar signs
With DT Doug Sutherland, who went on to replace Gary Larsen of the original Purple People Eaters
The best Vikings coverage!
KFAN's Vikings Football Sunday Live host Mike Mussman warm's up
The Bear's Rubes arrive ... unfortunately.
You mean #3...in the division
Inside Mall of America Field
One of the first Rubes to the field to catch all the pre-game action! Yes I'm listening to KFAN!
FOX's sideline reporter Tony Siragusa
(L-R) FOX's Kenny Albert, unknown Clergyman and Daryl Johnson
Former Vikings Player & Head Coach Mike Tice (R) chats with former Viking & Director of scouting Scott Studwell
Former Vikings LB & current KFAN color man Pete Bercich (R) joins in
QB Joe Webb
Percy warms up
Percy Harvin comes over to greet Lorenzo Booker's son
CB/KR Marcus Sherels
The longest tenured Viking Jim Kleinsasser plays in his last game as a Viking
Offensive Coordinator Bill Musgrave
QB Sage Rosenfels
Running backs huddle up
TE Kyle Rudolph
DL Jared Allen & Kevin "Big Ticket" Williams warm up
Kevin "Big Ticket" Williams
Stud Vikings DE (& soon to be Vikings all time sack leader with 22 surpassing the great Chris Doleman) Jared Allen
WR Devin Aromashodu
The very good & up and coming DE Everson Griffen
The Struggling Rookie QB Christian Ponder warms up as Offensive Coordinator Bill Musgrave (L) looks on.
LB Chad Greenway
LB EJ Henderson
Bears OL Coach Mike Tice & EJ
LB Erin Henderson
Linebacking Brothers
OL Brandon Fusco
The team huddle's up for the last time this season
The GAME
Player Introductions
Vikings fan's Gene & Paul make an apperance
Coin Toss / Jim Kleinsasser is the lone rep
Bears win the toss and will receive
QB Josh McCown leads the Bears
QB Christian Ponder leads the Vikings
Vikings score first as K Ryan Longwell kicks a field goal
Ponder goes down, aggravating his hip pointer
QB Joe Webb takes over for Ponder
Longest tenured Viking Jim Kleinsasser retires
That's a wrap
Bears win this one
Head Coach Lovie Smith
Former Vikings Head Coach & current OL Coach Mike Tice
OL Roberto Garza
K Robbie Gould & P Adam Podlesh warm up
Offensive Coordinator Mike Martz. This guy moves around a lot for good reason.
The "Great" KR/PR/WR Devin Hester
WR Dane Sanzenbacher & WR Earl Bennett warm up
CB DJ Moore talks with Percy Harvin
Viking beater QB Josh McCown
Boo, Hiss!!