Autographs
Minnesota Vikings Museum features shrines to legends Fran Tarkenton, Alan Page, Bud Grant and plenty of purple
EAGAN, MN—As a diehard Chicago Bears fan, it was challenging to even walk inside the Minnesota Vikings Museum with an open mind. Purple was everywhere and I knew there’d be plenty of sights, sounds and souvenirs of this proud NFC North team.
I’ll admit, I have some favorites who are intertwined in the long, rich history of the Vikings, including Fran Tarkenton, Alan Page, Chuck Foreman, Bud Grant and Dennis Green. All were prominently featured in this beautiful 14,000 square football museum that features a 360-degree video theater, multiple interactive exhibits and hundreds of historical artifacts. Fans (and even Vikings foes) can learn intriguing stories and insider details of the franchise’s first six decades in fun, unique and educational ways.
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The museum features a detailed, comprehensive history of the Minnesota Vikings, which won four NFC championships (1970, ’74, ’75 and ’77) and played in Super Bowls IV, VIII, IX and XI).
It also highlights football in Minnesota and a is must-visit for football fans, even those of who prefer to talk about Walter Payton, Dick Butkus, Mike Singletary, Mike Ditka, George Halas, and other Chicago Bears legends.
Even before entering the Museum, there are Vikings souvenirs, such as a super-size East Parking Lot Sign from the parking lot of Metropolitan Stadium, which hosted the Vikings from the inaugural 1961 season through 1981. Autographs on the sign include Page, Grant, Joe Kapp, Tommy Kramer, and others.
Upon entering, visitors are greeted by the Vikings Ring of Honor, which features purple jackets and custom rings that the most honored Vikings legends receive, such as Paul Krause, Jim Marshall, Carl Eller, Cris Carter, John Randle, Joey Browner, Randy Moss, Ahmad Rashad and Jared Allen, among others.
Cases for honorees include priced collectibles, including game-worn uniforms, game-used footballs, vintage trading cards, and more.
The Museum also salutes Pro Football Hall of Famers who have worn the purple, even giving fans the chance to place your hand in the palm imprints of Vikings legends.
The Frozen In Time section spotlights the six jersey numbers that have been retired by the Vikings since the inaugural season.
There were Alan Page artifacts tied to his life on the field and that as a Minnesota Supreme Court Justice.
The 360-degree Theater spotlights players past and present and shows messages of Vikings fans’ favorite memories.
The Home of the Vikings exhibit shines on the stadiums and training camps that have served as homes to the Vikings since 1961.
The Museum, naturally, features the Purple People Eaters, a long legacy of Minnesota.
Next the Museum honors the 50 Greatest Vikings. In this interactive digital book, visitors can browse through the 50 Greatest Vikings that were chosen in celebration of the Vikings 50th season in 2010.
The Minneapolis Miracle gives visitors the chance to relive the moments leading into the Minneapolis Miracle, the walk-off touchdown that lifted the Vikings over the New Orleans Saints in a 2018 playoff game.
Triumphs in Battle spotlights game-used balls.
Coaches Tribute is the area to hear game-day audio and memorable quotes from each Vikings head coach since 1961.
The Bud Grant area showcases the life of Hall of Famer Bud Grant, the team’s most revered head coach.
Also at the Museum: the Greatest Plays shows the best plays in Vikings history on an interactive touchscreen; Dominant Seasons features artifacts from some of the Vikings prominent seasons; and Found Franchise tells the story of early football in Minnesota and the founding of the Vikings in 1961.
Plus, there is Seasons Firsts about the inaugural season, including a shocking upset and the seasons of two Pro Bowl players; and History of Gear, which tells of the history of the Vikings uniforms and how they have evolved over time.
Here’s a look at some of the prized artifacts inside the Minnesota Vikings Museum:
• Game-worn Jim Marshall gloves, not to mention a helmet and jersey.
• Game ball awarded to Marshall in 1963.
• Topps and Upper Deck cards of Page, plus a gavel.
• Korey Stinger autographed football.
• Cris Carter game-worn and autographed cleats.
• Mick Tingelhoff Hall of Fame bust and All-Time Team ball.
• Tingelhoff’s 1965 player contract.
• Fran Tarkenton-signed jersey and cleats.
• Stadium seats, turnstile, yard markers and press passes.
• Football used on the final snap on the final play at the Metrodome in late 2013.
• Oversized scissors used to cut the ribbon at US Bank Stadium.
• Super Bowl souvenirs, including a program, hat and more.
• Photos from training camp.
• Vikings intrasquad game program from 1968, featuring pictures of Grady Alderman, Gary Cuozzo and others.
• Game Ball Wall features balls honoring Brett Favre, Dante Culpepper, Jared Allen, Greg Coleman, Anthony Carter, and many others.
• Splashing purple Gatorade … or so it appears. Ideal for that “I’m The Coach” photo.
• Bud Grant game-worn purple pants and jacket, pennant, program and street sign.
• Letters to Grant upon his retirement, such as one from Herb Brooks and another from Richard Nixon.
• A 1983 JOGO card of Grant from his stint playing in Winnipeg, graded 8.
• A 1950 Lakers Scott’s promo card of Grant, graded 3.
• Team photo of 1949-50 Minneapolis Lakers, featuring Grant.
• Game-worn Randall McDaniel cleats.
• Jim Marshall artifacts, including a hand mold.
• A box of Randy Moss’ Magic Crunch cereal, next to a Moss bobblehead.
• Dennis Green game-worn purple jacket.
• Game-worn jerseys with names of Minnesota legends, such as Browner, Zimmerman, Studwell, Favre, Peterson, Hutchinson, Eller, and others.
• Game-worn Anthony Carter helmet.
• Chris Doleman Hall of Fame bust.
• Time Magazine from Jan. 10, 1977, with the Vikings’ Super Bowl appearance on the cover.
• Paul Krause game-worn helmet.
• Shirt and sweater worn by Fred Zamberletti, the team’s first athletic trainer.
• The adjoining gift shop features a wide variety of Vikings apparel and signed memorabilia. Such as: Moss framed 8-by-10 photo ($414.99); Jordan Addison football ($329.99); and Moss football ($779.99).
