2023 Week 3

Minnesota Vikings vs Los Angeles Chargers

By Tim Coveney

Why do we put ourselves through this?

Week after week of Sunday night stress and anxiety…almost to the point of nervous breakdown…to follow a group of men in purple throwing a pigskin around…taking the game right to the wire and then, this season at least, losing it.

Why?

Because it is so, so, SO much fun.
Following the Vikings, especially last season, and this, is a rollercoaster better than anything Alton Towers, Thorpe Park, Disney World, or any other theme park of your choice can provide. An adrenaline rush that excites, terrifies, thrills, and exhilarates, finally leaving you collapsed on your seat with a throat raw through screaming, your heart pounding out of your chest and your limbs shaking like jelly.

Does the result change that? Well, yes it does. I can’t pretend otherwise. The moment the game is won or lost determines whether the thrill continues or dies immediately. However great the game, a loss always sucks. But it doesn’t mean you didn’t have the best time along the way.

 

Week 3

This week, with Vikings v Chargers becoming the Sky Sports game, the Minnesota Vikings UK and Ireland Fan Club arranged a last-minute meetup at the Hippodrome Casino in London. And what an evening we had.

For those who don’t know, the Hippodrome shows every Sunday NFL game in one of bars dotted around the Casino. For my money, outside of seeing a live London game, there is no better place in the UK to watch the NFL. The different fan groups who gather are all friendly, the energy in the room is electric and everyone gives full throated support to their team, as well as the J. E. T. S. JETS JETS JETS (Everyone joins in with the Jets fans, it’s traditional there – a Jets fan is responsible for setting the event up in the first place).

When you get to be there with the UK and Ireland Minnesota Fan club members, it’s a level above. From Skol chants, spontaneous singing of the Vikings fight song, screaming at the screens together and trying to keep everyone’s heart functioning despite the best efforts of the team to do otherwise. Mattison’s runs – cheered to the rafters! Hockinson losing the ball – resigned slump. Josh Oliver scores – eruption! Hicks gets the turnover – Mad screams of “Ball”! Mattison stopped then fumbling – guilty looks all round and commiserations with the Chargers fans there (that was a terrible call. If it had gone against the Vikes, we would have gone mental). Then as the tension winds up we have fans unable to watch, as 4th and goal goes incomplete with under 3 minutes left. Then the D gets the stop on 4th and 1. Dare we believe? And then… well. We know what happened.

Sharing all that with fans from all over the country and indeed the world at the meetup made the game so much more enjoyable than watching alone (as I would otherwise have done).

 

The result?

So, the Vikings lost? Yes, there is heartbreak. But it doesn’t erase the excitement and good times getting there. Of course, we want our team to win. If we didn’t it wouldn’t be a thrilling experience watching the game. But any sports fandom, especially in the NFL, can’t be based solely on winning the ultimate prize, Superbowl or failure. Yes, the prize is the aspiration but for the fans you need to enjoy the fun of the journey as well. The quote “Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing!” is often wrongly attributed to Vince Lombardi (He used the saying, but it was originated by UCLA coach Red Sanders). However, the quote that Lombardi wanted people to remember is this:
“Winning isn’t everything, but wanting to win is”

At 0-3 the season looks tough to come back from. But even so, there are 14 more games to come (and still an outside shot at the playoffs – never say never until the maths does!) and 14 more evenings to fill with the highs, lows, and total exhilaration that only Vikings football can provide. Whatever happens it will be a fun time. Even more fun if you can share it with others. Try it if you haven’t. Hopefully you’ll get to get that extra special sprinkle of the game ending with a W!

 

Written by: Tim Coveney
Edited by: Tommy Beauchene, Richard Dawson, Jacqui Melrose