Superstar

Ever since I was a wee lad, I have loved football. In fact, prior to 1961, I was a hard core Packer fan. After all, who would not have been back then? The great Vince Lombardi as head coach, historic Bart Starr as quarterback, the most colorful Paul Horning as running back, the robotic Boyd Dowler as receiver, and Fuzzy Thurston on the line. There were more, many more that made this team fun to watch. I was fine being a Packer fan - they were our next door neighbor and they were very, very good. Then in 1961, something happened - Minnesota was awarded an expansion team, and the Minnesota Vikings were born.

It did not take me long to wean my loyalty off the green and gold and onto this new bunch of rag tag players. Like most expansion teams, they were not very good. However, in the first game out of the shoot, they beat the Monsters of the Midway! Yes, they showed from the start they could play in cold and spartan surroundings, and play with the best of them. The local fan base grew to love these Purple People Eaters in very short order.

The years past and the team legends grew. After Norm left, we had a new coach named Bud who along with his steel grey eyes, changed the nature of our club. We had a young, skinny quarterback named Fran who would run 20 yards to gain 5. It was great. Fran left to go to New York for a while and we had some Canadian named Joe who only threw "ruptured ducks". But Joe knew how to win. He led the Vikings to their first Super Bowl in 1969 against the Chiefs. The Vikes lost, but in eight years they had gone from a starter club to playing in the big dance. The years continued to go by and Fran came back, we had Chuck "44" Foreman, Bill "Boom Boom" Brown, Randy Moss, Chris Carter, "Two Minute" Tommy and a host of others. We made it to the big dance four times, only to walk away jilted. It has been frustrating as well as fun, and the journey continues.

With all the talent, all the personalities we have had on this bunch of purple warriors, possibly the biggest superstar is playing for us right now. Yes, Adrian Peterson is a true superstar - in fact, almost super human. In a world filled with prima donnas, there is someone who is so special, yet so humble. He is a young man who is not all "inked up", does not have hair hanging a foot below his helmet, and prays before every game. In short, he is someone who not only can play for Coach Leslie today, but also the very strict Bud Grant of yesterday.

None of us could forget last season when Adrian suffered what should have been a career ending injury. After the hit, his leg looked like something made out of a pipe cleaner rather than flesh and bone. I for one, thought it was over. Too bad - so much promise. However, Adrian did not think that. He wanted to know how soon he could go under the knife and then start rehab. He made a decision to come back this season and come back he did. Not only come back, but he rushed within nine short yards of setting the all time record. And he did it in the most humble of ways.

In a world short of true heroes, I believe we have one in our own number 28. Yes, he can play football as well. To me a hero in not what he can do on the field, but more so what happens off the field. What a role model! Who would not want their son to grow up to be like Adrian? Humble, giving, and very, very good. We are blessed in our long legacy of fine players to have maybe the best of the best in our midst right now. The season is over, Adrian got us to the playoffs, but with this young man, I believe the thrills are just beginning.