Journey of a Minnesota Vikings Superfan - Ryan's Story

We have an awesome episode lined up for you today with our guest, Ryan, a die-hard Minnesota Vikings fan. Together, we'll be exploring his journey of fandom, starting from his childhood days of huddling around the television with his father, rooting passionately for the Vikings. Hear about his favorite players, including legends like John Randall, Chris Dolman, Chris Carter, and the incomparable Randy Moss. But it's not just about the past, we'll also be discussing the evolution of his relationship with the team, and his thoughts on their current roster.

We're diving deep into the rich history of the Minnesota Vikings, from the highs to the lows, with a special focus on the Bud Grant era. Relive the magic of Randy Moss's unparalleled rookie season in 1998, reflect on the Detroit Lions' struggles, and share in the heartache and hope of every Vikings fan - always on the brink of victory, but never quite making it. That’s not all, we also delve into the world of sports fandom and its relationship with gambling, discussing its impacts on physical and mental wellbeing. And did we mention the quarterbacks? Get ready for a deep-dive into the exciting and often turbulent history of the Vikings' quarterback position.

In the final segment of the episode, it's trivia time! Can Ryan identify some lesser-known players from the Vikings' past? Stay tuned to find out! Plus, we'll be sharing some fascinating tidbits about the Vikings that even the most dedicated fans may not know. And as we wrap up, remember - no matter where you are, you're never too far from your fandom. So whether you're a Vikings fan, a football enthusiast, or just love a good story, join us for this engaging episode of Fandom From afar.

Transcript

Brian: 0:06

Alright, everybody, welcome back to Fandom From afar. Today we have my friend Ryan on. We're going to talk about the Minnesota Vikings. Ryan is one of my oldest friends, not not only age wise, because he is really old, but I've known him since college. So it's it's. It's been quite a long time. So, ryan, thank you for waking up early and talking some Vikings with me today.

Ryan: 0:33

Thank you for having me. It is my pleasure to be here.

Brian: 0:38

You're like. Oh, thanks for making fun of me right away.

Ryan: 0:40

I'm really glad I'm looking for this.

Brian: 0:43

Let's start with your origin story of how you became a Vikings fan that lives in Colorado.

Ryan: 0:49

Sure, so I was born in Minneapolis so I do have that that tie, but I think I think what it boils down to is I was cheering for the same team that my dad rooted for growing up. My dad was born and raised in northern Minnesota. Big Vikings fan, very cynical Vikings fan.

Brian: 1:10

But that's easy to do when the team is oh and four in the Super Bowl.

Ryan: 1:16

Hasn't been to one in my lifetime. Yeah, so I think that that that really that solidified it. I think an interesting aspect to my family is, while my dad was born and raised in northern Minnesota, my mom was born and raised in Green Bay, wisconsin. So there was kind of this sort of a battle, you know, between the Vikings and the Packers. Although my mom is much less of a sports fan, so I think just from my dad's enjoyment of watching the Vikings and I think I also was just not really into the Green Bay Packers colors, I, just at six years old, I wasn't into green and gold so I went with the Vikings.

Brian: 1:59

I like it Now. Do you remember about how old you were when you really started sitting down and watching games with your dad? Or was it more like your dad was a huge fan and so you said you were a fan and then it just kind of slowly began the process of you actually knowing the players and watching the games and stuff?

Ryan: 2:19

Yeah, I mean I think it was probably around nine or 10 years old. We had lived in Grand Junction, colorado, from when I was three till when I was eight and I don't remember watching football there, but I remember watching it once I moved to Sheboygan, wisconsin, and so that was ages eight to 13. So I think probably right around that nine 10 was when I really started watching and guys like Anthony Carter was started becoming people that I just loved watching.

Brian: 2:53

Did you have a first jersey or even like a shirsey type thing that you remember buying and just thought it was the coolest thing when you're a kid?

Ryan: 3:02

Not as a kid. I don't think I owned a jersey. I had like generic Vikings shirts, but no jerseys and no specific players. The only I think the only jersey I've ever owned in my life is a Kevin Garnett jersey. There you go.

Brian: 3:18

That's a good one.

Ryan: 3:19

I think that's still hanging in my yeah, yeah, still hanging in my closet. It's live. Only worn it like twice. It's just like this shrine to Kevin Garnett. And I do have although it's got a bunch of holes in it now Brett Farve t-shirt, so it's just a t-shirt. It's not a jersey, but it's. I think it's the only thing I've ever owned that's actually had a name on it.

Brian: 3:44

Okay, oh yeah, we'll definitely talk about the Farve era. So you said you were about 13 years old and just I know you mentioned Anthony Carter, but who are some of other players that kind of stuck out as you were really cementing your fandom when you were younger?

Ryan: 4:05

Yeah, I think you know, thinking back, they had a lot of good defensive players. You know John Randall, chris Dolman, joey Browner, Keith Millard like I was they when I was growing up. I think you know as much as like I you love watching and rooting for offense like they had really good defenses when I was first starting to?

Brian: 4:31

wasn't John Randall the guy that wore, like all the the black face paint?

Ryan: 4:36

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, you have the paint under his eyes and yeah. So I think those are the kind of guys I think. I think Chris Carter was probably my favorite Viking. I remember him coming over from the Philadelphia Eagles and at the time they also had Anthony Carter and I was like who is this other Carter, who is this lesser Carter coming, coming and playing for the Vikings?

Ryan: 5:01

But the more I started watching him and you know you're not all that astute as a 14 year old kid watching, but like Chris Carter was not like fast or tall or exceptionally athletic in any of those ways. He was just kind of like Charles Barkley out there, like getting into position and boxing people out and just like creating the small window and he had amazing hands. So I he's probably my favorite Viking if I had to choose one. But he was just so much fun to watch and I think you know he gets he gets some praise, but I feel like he was kind of an underrated receiver Considering what oh yeah, I think from an outsides perspective he's the one that I kind of think about.

Brian: 5:47

During that era and in the old, like when you watch highlights on Sunday night with Chris Berman and Tom Jackson and their, their whole joke every week was all he does Is catch touchdowns like he. He was amazing and I think he's all famous now, isn't he like he's?

Ryan: 6:01

really so yeah.

Brian: 6:02

Yeah, I definitely agree he's under it, especially because he got overshadowed by moss At the end of his career. Yes, yes obviously people think about moss as the greatest receiver, but Chris Carter was. He was legit Mm-hmm.

Ryan: 6:16

And Randy Moss I mean, when I think about great receivers in the NFL, he, when he came out he could just do things that other people couldn't do, so I get, and he was just so flashy, like I understand why he's looked at that way. I think people did start to kind of understand how to play him. But you know, I just I remember Whenever this was the early 2000s, like them being these conversations about who's the best receiver Randy Moss, trello and blah, blah, blah, whoever else is out there there's just like, yeah, these are all really good, really talented people, but there are just things Randy Moss can do that other people physically can't Do.

Brian: 6:57

But on a less flashy way made it look so smooth to he did, he did now, when you guys still lived up in Minnesota, wisconsin or anything, did you go to any Vikings games?

Ryan: 7:10

I've been to a few of them in my life. I Saw them play in Minnesota One year when I was, you know, pro again, probably 1213 and I also remember going to Lambo field when they were, when they were playing in Green Bay, and that was the thing. I you know. That was one of those like negative 20 degree days where people are watching football and Everybody's.

Brian: 7:38

Lambo experience. Yes.

Ryan: 7:39

Yes, it was the full Lambo experience, but it has been a long time Since I have been to professional football game of Any kind.

Brian: 7:50

much you remember when you were younger in watching games with your dad? Do you, do you guys have any sort of game day rituals or game day routines that you would always Do anytime the Vikings were on?

Ryan: 8:04

I don't know that we did. You know, we, I think? Because I've spent most of my life in Colorado and Even when I was living in Wisconsin, they weren't always on TV. I mean, if they're playing the Packers, they were on TV. Having them on TV every Sunday has not been as consistent. As you know, say you, growing up in Colorado, broncos are on every if they're. If they're on prime time, then usually the whole family is getting together. Well, that may or may not be true, but a lot of times it becomes a family event.

Ryan: 8:41

And then I don't I I don't know about rituals it's kind of gotten to the I I mentioned my dad's kind of a cynical Vikings fan.

Ryan: 8:48

So over the over the last 10 or 15 years it's kind of turned into this thing. We're like I can only stand watching it with him for so long Because he's just the kind of guy and I think this is maybe his era where, like you're just complaining about everything, like You're complaining about the rent, I like I just want to sit there calmly and, yeah, I want them to win, but if they lose I'm not gonna let it ruin my day, but it starts to become a little bit much Sometimes to be around him, so like we'll usually watch together and if it's close We'll reconvene and watch the fourth quarter together. We're just like the last five minutes, but I think it ends up being where the bulk of the game. I'm like if we're in the same house, I'm gonna go downstairs and watch it. He can be upstairs and watch it, or he like goes outside and like starts doing yard work while the game is going on, because he just can't stand to watch the mistakes.

Brian: 9:43

That's. That's definitely a fan that's been been beaten down by many years of Vikings history. Yeah, I like those fans that like They've seen so many bad things happen to their team that the first negative thing that happens in a game Even if it's like an incomplete pass or something they're just like oh here we go and it's like yes, you can't expect them to complete every pass like it's gonna be okay. Yes, the other team also has players.

Brian: 10:12

Exactly. Well, man, now I just kind of want the Vikings to Win the Super Bowl, just to give that release to your dad and and let him enjoy the team again.

Ryan: 10:24

Yeah, so he's probably. He'll probably be around for another 20, 25 years, so as long as some time within that window they get pull something out well, we'll play some games later and and We'll see how confident you are in that happening. Mm-hmm. Okay, great.

Brian: 10:44

You mentioned that the team has never made the Super Bowl in your lifetime. I should have looked this up, but when was the last time they did make the Super Bowl?

Ryan: 10:51

Yeah, and I had to look it up too because I wasn't sure if maybe it was just when I was like a baby or something. 77 oh, Wow 79.

Ryan: 11:02

Yes, it has been a bit, and I actually, when we, just when we agreed to do this podcast, I was like man, do I even know enough? Like, do I even know enough about the Vikings history? Or like Current, right, because I've mentioned, I've kind of lost touch a little bit with, you know, keeping track of the offseason moves. Like I really don't do that like I used to and I'm like I don't know the entire roster. I mean, yeah, I know most of it, but like I don't think I knew until months after it happened that they don't have Adam Thieland anymore, right, like I just not keeping up with that, like like I used to. So it actually started.

Ryan: 11:39

There is this seven part Series on YouTube that my nephew told me about, which was kind of weird because he's not even a Vikings fan, but it's about the history of the Vikings and and I didn't know, like I didn't know much about like the Bud Grant stuff and like the origin of the Viking. So I'm only like an episode and a half into it. So they're they're right now where they're at is still like in the 70s. But it's amazing how I think this is maybe the difference between being a Vikings fan and having been, maybe, a Detroit Lions fan, right like, there have been many seasons where I would Before, you know, before I was born and after I was born, where I would look at them and say they are the best team in the NFL, but they either didn't make the Super Bowl or just lost in the Super Bowl. They just couldn't get it done. So and I would I would never look at any season and be like, yeah, the Detroit Lions are clearly the best team.

Ryan: 12:38

That's never been the case this year might be their best shot at that. And, and you know, just seeing their dominance, there is this stat that I saw in this YouTube special that it was just wind differential since the Super Bowl era and there are only two teams ahead of them, which is Pittsburgh and Dallas, and they're right there with New England. You're comparing them to teams that have like four or five, six Super Bowls in Minnesota's got none. But in my lifetime, you know, I look at that year, randy Moss's rookie season, 1998, when they went 15 and one but lost to Atlanta in the NFC championship, I Firmly believe they were the best team in the NFL. Oh, because your Broncos won the Super.

Brian: 13:24

Bowl that year, so like you, might not agree with me. I was gonna say you're incorrect about that, but they should have made it to the Super Bowl and then, far yeah, didn't they miss a field goal in that NFC championship. Yeah, yeah, and that was the year.

Ryan: 13:41

Anderson was their kicker. He had not missed a field goal all season and he misses that kick. And then in 2009 they're far of here I, they were 12 and 4, but that was another year where I just felt like they were destined, like they were, in my mind, the best team in the NFL, and then they, you know, lose to the Saints in that NFC championship. So I, I, it's hard, I know that it's stuff like that.

Brian: 14:11

That is the reason why your dad does yard work.

Ryan: 14:15

Exactly, he's had enough.

Brian: 14:19

Yeah, I remember that 98 team, like you mentioned. It was Moss, I think. Right, that was when Moss was really young and Chris Carter was still at his peak, and then wasn't Robert Smith the running back?

Ryan: 14:32

Was the running back?

Brian: 14:34

I just remember him being so good. He was so good.

Ryan: 14:37

And then he like retired at 28 or something.

Brian: 14:40

Yes, I also who was the quarterback? Was it Cunningham?

Ryan: 14:43

or was it? It was Cunningham. He was Cunningham, yep.

Brian: 14:47

Cause he would just throw those moon balls to Moss and like he would get them every time.

Ryan: 14:51

It was ridiculous.

Brian: 14:53

Yep, that would have been a fun match up in the Super Bowl, but unfortunately the Broncos just had to kill the Falcons and win a ring.

Ryan: 15:00

Yep Well, and I'm happy for you, although we didn't know each other at that point, but-.

Brian: 15:06

That's right. You mentioned that you've kind of lost touch and I think that's actually an interesting part of your story, cause you were worried about not being like a scholar of the team or anything. But I think that's interesting Cause it's your story, it's your fandom, so that's kind of why I wanted to have you on and just listen to that, cause I think a lot of people can relate to that. As before we were recording, you said that we don't really watch football for 10 hours a day anymore and we actually have girls that talk to us and in my case kids that we need to pay attention to and stuff like that, and yard work, yeah, exactly.

Brian: 15:45

So I think that's an interesting perspective on. It is like, yeah, your fandom might have faded away, but that documentary that you mentioned, it could make you appreciate the past a little bit more. Or I would say, wouldn't that be fun to have your dad watch it too, and then you guys can talk about that while you watch games, and it might distract him from the misery that is the Vikings going on on the field that day or something like that so.

Brian: 16:13

I'd love to hear your perspective on, maybe when it started fading away, or if there was a moment when you're just like man, I just don't have time for this or I don't know. Just kind of talk more about that.

Ryan: 16:26

Yeah, I mean I think that is recent, within the last couple of years, because I would say even even three or four years ago I was still watching a lot of NBA. I was watching football Any chance. I got college on Saturday, nfl on Sunday and then if we were getting the Thursday or Monday night games, you know watching those and even still more into baseball. I don't know, I don't think it had anything to do with COVID, but the timeline kind of lines up with that and I'm not sure how to put my finger on that. I do remember kind of that, that following NBA season that was shortened, that I that was when it kind of started Like I was kind of paying attention to it and I watched the finals and some of the other playoff games. But I don't even remember I think that was the year the Lakers won.

Brian: 17:26

In the bubble.

Ryan: 17:27

Yeah, and I remember watching that, but that season my, my, my attention, my attention span, for I think it really went and it had been less so with NFL. I was still watching football, but I don't know, I think part of it might just be. You mentioned responsibilities. I think it's also kind of knowing my body and recognizing how I feel after just sitting on the couch and watching a television set for that many hours, you know, and you just kind of like feel gross and I'm like I gotta, I gotta, stop doing this.

Ryan: 18:10

I'll also say that you know, you and I have both spent our fair share of time in, you know, las Vegas during bowl games and March Madness and all that kind of stuff.

Ryan: 18:22

And I found recently I mean I'll still, you know, legally gamble from time to time but I've also found that that kind of I'll put some money, even if it's just like five or 10 bucks, on a game and I'm just like riveted and then I can't sleep that night, right, Like my emotions have just gone all over the place based on whether or not I'm gonna win $4.50. And but I'm just like there's just a regulation of my body, because I'm a pretty active person and I like to get outside and walk around, go for runs and all that stuff. So on a day when I'm just sitting for so long and staring at a television screen, probably eating more than I would normally do, and then that added piece of like the excitement of maybe having some money on it, I'm just like in my ripe old age of 44, I just know that my body can't deal with that stuff anymore.

Brian: 19:19

Oh man, if the 21 year old versions of us could hear us now.

Ryan: 19:23

But it's true, you guys are so lame.

Brian: 19:27

Cause it's not like you're eating kale salads and celery sticks while you're sitting there watching football. It's delicious fried food most of the time so yeah, it's a lot. That's pretty funny, though, that the gambling has such an impact on your emotions. I like that.

Ryan: 19:44

Yeah, and that's something I'm just recognizing, like maybe in the last year, is that when I do that, especially when it's like the 11 o'clock game well, for you guys, one o'clock games, four o'clock games and then Sunday Night Football it's just this rollercoaster throughout the day, and even if the gain or loss is only due to amount to maybe like 20 bucks for the day, like it's such a toll.

Ryan: 20:10

But it does make the games more interesting it definitely makes the games more interesting and it's hard to stop. I have a fan duel account. I basically have kind of cashed out on it. I put all of my money on things that are probably not likely to happen, including the Vikings winning their division, although I think the best record is one and one. So at 0 and 2, they're still in the hunt. But, like, unless Cincinnati or Buffalo wins the Super Bowl or Minnesota wins their division or the Super Bowl, that account will go down to zero. And I'm just kind of like I'm looking at it from like maybe that's a good thing, maybe.

Ryan: 20:49

I just want to have that money gone and not think about it any more. Be done with it.

Brian: 20:56

No, I agree, because we are not able to legally gamble down here, and so anytime I go out to Colorado to visit the family, I'll just put a few bucks down on futures and then I'm pretty much done until next time I go to Colorado. And so I'm the same way. I just have money on people to win the Super Bowl or to win MVP, and it's not the day-to-day grind like it used to be.

Ryan: 21:24

That's right. I forgot Florida was one of the states that you can't do that in. I'm sorry, man.

Brian: 21:32

It's probably for the best.

Ryan: 21:33

Probably is.

Brian: 21:34

No, it's interesting balance though, because I've talked about it on my past episode. But there's so much information available now and in ways you can become a much more knowledgeable fan and if you want to qualify a better fan, because you can get all the behind the scenes information or see what the actual players are doing day by day, if you follow them on social and stuff like that, and so it would have been interesting to see what 21-year-old version of me would have done with all that information, like you said, when I was just obsessed in watching every game and doing all that stuff. But now we have lives outside of the games and the sports, and so it's a balance you have to find to enjoy the games and enjoy the teams, but not be staring at our phones all day.

Ryan: 22:30

We might also be living on the streets right now If we had access to gambling at 21.

Brian: 22:37

Yeah, Because my $5 bets would have turned into $50 bets and then $500 bets and then it looks like oh, why am I broke living on Ryan's couch now?

Ryan: 22:51

Yeah, I watched my nephew. He turned 21 just a couple of years ago. We went to Vegas for that and he it was on his birthday weekend and he lost a $1,000 that weekend. It was all birthday money, right. So in his mind it was just like an experience and I'm like, oh man, I'm concerned about this, like does he not have any willpower? But I think that was just like for him. It was that birthday experience, because now he shows me bets he's made and it's like $0.50 on some outcome. He's like a very frugal with his gambling. But I don't know that I would have had that kind of restraint as a 21-year-old 22-year-old Maybe. I mean, I'm a pretty cheap guy, so possibly, but I don't know. I know that you and I and some of our other college friends were making trips to Vegas quite frequently. I think we showed some self-control, but definitely not to the level that we have now. So I don't know if it had been that widespread, if that would have been good or if that would have been bad.

Brian: 24:04

I'm leaning towards bad, so that probably worked out best for us and I'm going to put money on what you just said. Yeah. So just to kind of tie it up, is the 98 team the team that you think about maybe as the peak of your Vikings fandom, or is there a particular player that, like, is just the top where you're like I liked him more than any other player, or I like that team more than any other player? I just think it's interesting to think about, maybe the peak of everything.

Ryan: 24:40

I think that is one of two. I mean, I think it's the 98, you know, randy Moss, randall Cunningham, chris Carter team and it's the 2009,. Favre, sidney Rice I don't know if one is over the other. I mean, they both made it to the NFC Championship and I don't, you know, they were in the NFC Championship. I think it was 2017 was when they lost to Philadelphia, but you know that was with the Case Canem, minneapolis Miracle, you know, stefan.

Ryan: 25:10

Diggs to get to get into the NFC Championship. They lost to Philadelphia and that was a year that I don't. I don't think they were the best team in the NFL. So even though they made it that far I like, if they would have won that year I'd have been like, well, great, like we, you know you pulled it off, but I wouldn't have had a whole lot of faith in them doing it.

Ryan: 25:32

But differentiating between that 98 and 2009 in terms of the best season or pinnacle, I think maybe the only thing for me that separates it is that I probably was probably watching more of the 2009 Favre team, that 98 season, that Randy Moss rookie season, where they went 15 and one and lost to Atlanta. I was a lot of that fall. I spent in places where I did not have access to watching football, so there was very little of that season that I actually saw until the playoffs started. So I guess I probably would then look at the 2009 Brit Favre season as that, as maybe the pinnacle. I do think the single, the single moment that stands out was that Minneapolis miracle catch that Kenan to Stefan digs. That was just the most insane.

Ryan: 26:32

I remember watching that on repeat the next day a hundred times and just like every time just like, oh, my body was just like the bubbling over, it was just so yeah, it was just so cool and like the crowd, like the celebration after, like it was just amazing. But again, you know, a week or two later, that ended in them getting destroyed by Philadelphia. So that's that, but that stands out as a single moment and I would say 2009, the Brett Favre year, as the season.

Brian: 27:07

But still it doesn't even I don't think it takes away from having that moment and like that's kind of why we watch the games is to have moments like that where, where it makes you feel like that you want to watch it over and over and over again, like it's, it's the best it is.

Ryan: 27:22

It is. I think it was hard like knowing that case Kenan was not an amazingly talented quarterback but that he seemed to have some sort of chemistry with feeling and digs. I was really hoping that they would keep him. And then that was the year that they brought in Kirk Cousin. That off season was when they signed Kirk Cousins, who I think is fine.

Ryan: 27:50

I actually have a lot of respect for Kirk Cousins. I think he's a better quarterback than he's given credit for. I think he is constantly under duress. I think that they have had offensive line issues for a long time and he is just. It's amazing that he is still standing. I think if he had any kind of protection he would be a much better statistically a much better quarterback but also viewed in a higher tier. But I don't know that that changes the fact that I kind of wish I would, they would have seen and kept that case Kenan digs Thelan experiment going, because that was just that was just so much fun to watch. It felt like, even though Kenan maybe lacks some tools, like his balls were just like full odors, but they dropped where they needed to drop and so I don't even remember what your original question was now, but like that.

Brian: 28:48

No, it doesn't matter because you brought up Kirk Cousins. Have you seen that show on Netflix quarterback?

Ryan: 28:54

I have not. It's on my, it's on my list of shows to watch because I've I've heard it's pretty good. I've heard it kind of gives you a different. Have you watched it?

Brian: 29:04

No, but I think we were about to say the same thing. Probably is that I haven't watched it, but everyone that has has come away being like oh, I kind of like Kirk Cousins now.

Ryan: 29:15

Yeah, I'm gonna have to finish up this history of the Vikings YouTube thing and then probably watch that next because it's it's him and my homes. And then is there a third.

Brian: 29:26

Yeah, it's Marcus Marriota. Okay, okay, so it's kind of funny because my homes goes on to win the Super Bowl. Cousins has a pretty good year, but they don't make it, and then Marriota gets benched. So you kind of get a little bit of everything.

Ryan: 29:40

Oh, is that what? Do you know anything about why they chose those, those three quarterbacks? I was surprised when I first saw it that Kirk Cousins was one of the three quarterbacks that they had chosen, and I suppose as an outside observer I'd be. I'm even more surprised that Marcus Marriota was a quarterback that they chose.

Brian: 29:58

Yeah, I have no idea, but I'm intrigued. I need to watch it too. All right, should we play some, some games.

Ryan: 30:05

Okay, I don't, yeah, I don't even know what to expect for this. Is this like going to test my knowledge?

Brian: 30:10

Because no, it's going to make you think about your fandom in a way that you've never thought about it before.

Ryan: 30:17

Okay, all right.

Brian: 30:19

All right, so I have three games for you. The first is called what's More Likely? First question what is more likely? When he retires, justin Jefferson is thought of as a top five wide receiver of all time, or they bring back your second favorite show of all time, the OC. Oh that's not what I thought was coming oh man, I told you we're coming at it from a different angle.

Ryan: 30:52

Yeah, I mean, I think what's more likely is that Justin Jefferson becomes a top five receiver of all time. I could see him in that. I mean, it's his third season, right the start of his third season right now. So he's got a long way to go, but I could see that happening. Could the OC come back though? Like is that even?

Brian: 31:15

Like was it such a perfect show that they don't even want to try and bring it back or remake it? Like they just can't mess with greatness.

Ryan: 31:23

Right, so I, because I even think by the fourth season it was kind of losing its initial, like once you got rid of Marissa, once she she died in that right. She died in a car accident.

Brian: 31:36

So, truthfully, I did not. I don't think I watched it past season two or something like that.

Ryan: 31:41

Okay, yeah, I'm pretty sure, because seasons one and two were great, three was still pretty good, and then I, but I think by season four it was just kind of like, yeah, this is time, this is time for it to go. I will say because I know you and I both watch sports night and this wasn't the question. But if I could ever choose a show to come back, it would be sports night. I think that show is not like. I look at shows like maybe like friends, or even the OC, which was four seasons but didn't, by the time it ended it was ready to end. Sports night did not, did not, did not live its full life, it did not live its best life. Like that show Could have gone on and been successful. So if I had to choose a show to come back, it would be sports night. But I do appreciate the OC, the OC reference.

Brian: 32:33

So to answer your question there with you.

Ryan: 32:35

I'm gonna go with, I'll go with Justin Jefferson becoming a top five court.

Brian: 32:40

I think. I think that's a. That's a good, good answer, and I also agree with sports night. That was a Great show. That didn't seem like very many people watch, but they should. Eli's coming, all right. Question number two what's more likely? The Vikings win the Super Bowl or you would be able to not eat Chipotle for a year.

Ryan: 33:08

All right, so if anybody isn't listening, I lit when we were in college. There's a Chipotle right next to CSU. I Literally ate lunch there five days a week. Probably was not great for my insides, but I did it. I cut down on that drastically, but I still probably eat it a couple times a month.

Brian: 33:35

The Vikings winning a.

Ryan: 33:36

Super Bowl Ever like it, like in my lifetime this year ever ever.

Brian: 33:43

What's more?

Ryan: 33:43

likely. Well, I think it's more likely that the Vikings win the Super Bowl. Law of averages like it's gotta, it's gotta even out at some point. They've had too much talent come in and out To not, and I mean I Probably I got like another 40 or 50 years to live, is that's not happen.

Brian: 34:05

I think that's the the correct answer, because I think there's a zero percent chance that you could ever go a year without eating Chipotle, and I think there's at least a 1% chance of the Vikings winning the Super Bowl.

Ryan: 34:14

So that's good. I think you're two for two now.

Brian: 34:17

Last, last question for this game what's more likely? The Vikings win the Super Bowl or You're finally named the world's sexiest man.

Ryan: 34:31

Well, I will. I will humbly admit I think I have lost too much hair to Be named the world's sexiest man. I think those those days have passed. I'd like to think that I'm still in Pretty tip-top shape for a 44 year old. I think I got that going for me, but I don't have enough hair. I got these weird veins growing on my leg like I just. I just can't. I can't pull that off, especially not in the swimsuit. So Vikings winning the Super Bowl is is more likely.

Brian: 35:08

Okay, well, I disagree. So you went. You went to three. That's not bad.

Ryan: 35:14

And that's why you're my best friend.

Brian: 35:17

Hey, all right, next game. Next game is called Golden Girls. So you are famously a huge fan of the hit TV sitcom Golden Girls.

Ryan: 35:29

Is that true? We what is it Watch?

Brian: 35:34

it all the time in college.

Ryan: 35:36

Yes, it's famous famously.

Brian: 35:39

So we are gonna recast Golden Girls that they're rebooting it, starring you and three Vikings players. So, for those who are not familiar with Golden Girls, if you're not an 80 year old woman or Ryan there was four main characters. There was strong will, dorothea, spacey, rose, the southern bell, blanche and the matriarch, sophie. So, as we've established earlier, ryan's really old, so he will be the matriarch of the new reboot and he's gonna pick the three remaining characters played by Vikings players.

Ryan: 36:19

Okay, so I'm sure is yours right. Okay, so I'm Sophia, so I was gonna actually Sam. I'm kind of a, I'm kind of, in certain ways, becoming a real, a real Cremugian, so I might actually fit like the Dorothea role, but I, yeah, well, I'll be the matriarch, that's fine. Okay, this is really hard because, like, I really want, I really want, but like Brett ferv to be there, I really want Brett ferv to be one of those people, probably blanche, I think he's, he's, you know blanche was a hot older woman right Like blanche was sexy she was doing doing her thing at an age and Brett ferv's from the south, so it fits yes.

Ryan: 37:02

Yes, from Mississippi, right, yeah, so I Think that. But it is is hard because the one I'm looking at it from a historical perspective. I mean I've mentioned that that was probably the pinnacle of my Vikings fandom, but he was only with the Vikings for two seasons, so I don't know if that needs to be a factor or not, but I will cast, I will cast. I'll go ahead and cast Brett ferv as blanche. I think that I've mentioned his name a few times, but I think, because Adam Thielen was a Minnesota boy, is Kind of like the Joe Maurer, the football. You know, joe Maurer was a Minnesota boy for the twins. I feel the same way about Adam Thielen, so I'm gonna have feeling in there, maybe, maybe as a rose, I think. I think he's probably too intelligent, but maybe there's some similar features between Betty White and Adam Adam Thielen similar facial features.

Ryan: 38:07

I think you feel that role.

Brian: 38:10

Similar facial feature yeah.

Ryan: 38:14

And so now I gotta fill the role of Dorothy. I'll go back, I'm gonna go back to. I'll choose Robert Smith, I think, seeing who.

Brian: 38:24

I like it.

Ryan: 38:24

Yeah, I think seeing him doing some commentating on whatever network he's doing that for or has been doing that for, I could see him kind of being being that Authoritative Chirmogeny kind of older woman or a man, I could see him doing that. I could see him pulling that off real rigid if you need it to be.

Brian: 38:46

I love it. Okay, I think you got yourself a hit show there?

Ryan: 38:49

Yes, I think so too. Let's get that on there.

Brian: 38:52

You mentioned. You mentioned it before, but it's just such a fun word to say. So we're gonna have Y'all live in a house in Sheboygan, just so we can hear the word Sheboygan.

Ryan: 39:02

Sheboygan Wisconsin.

Brian: 39:05

All right, well, that was good. Once the rider strike is over, then you can get to work on that show.

Ryan: 39:10

Okay, yeah, I. I've heard optimistic news about that yesterday. I Sounds like it might be oh good. I don't know the details, but it sounds like they might be coming to an agreement soon.

Brian: 39:21

Well, good, Alright. Last game is called Vikings, or Vikings Now let me explain. Okay, I'm going to give you a name and you're going to tell me if they were a former Minnesota Viking or if they were an actor on the hit TV show Vikings.

Ryan: 39:45

I've seen one episode of the hit TV show Vikings.

Brian: 39:50

Well then, I expect you to not do very well.

Ryan: 39:53

Yes, me neither.

Brian: 39:54

But if it's a Minnesota Viking then you can just say Viking, but in the TV show they often said Skoll, which I think is kind of like Cheers. So if it's a character from the hit TV show, vikings say Skoll.

Ryan: 40:14

Okay, got it, okay, yep.

Brian: 40:16

Alright, First one Jordan Patrick Smith.

Ryan: 40:21

I guess I'm going to go. Skoll, I don't remember him as a Viking. If he was.

Brian: 40:25

Skoll. Okay, that is correct.

Ryan: 40:29

Alright, he played Ube.

Brian: 40:32

Ube was one of the sons of the main characters, and he actually turned out to be quite cool himself. So good job. You got one point, okay, cool. Next one, mick Tingelhoff, I would have Mick.

Ryan: 40:49

Tingelhoff I have to remember that name if that was a Viking. So I'm going to go Skoll, again, skoll.

Brian: 40:58

That is incorrect. What that was a Viking? He was a center for the Vikings in the 1960s. Alright alright, so still with one point.

Ryan: 41:11

This is good Education experience we're having here.

Brian: 41:15

Third name, Karlester Crumpler.

Ryan: 41:19

Oh, that's a Viking.

Brian: 41:21

That is correct. He was a tight end in the 1990s.

Ryan: 41:27

Yes.

Brian: 41:27

Karlester Crumpler Good name good name. Alright, so you got two points. You're doing well. Next name Travis Fimmel.

Ryan: 41:42

I don't recognize that name, so I will go Skoll.

Brian: 41:46

Skoll. Well done, sir, well done. He played Ragnar, the main character in the hit TV show Vikings.

Ryan: 41:52

He is awesome.

Brian: 41:57

Alright, last name. So you have three points. You're doing quite well.

Ryan: 42:03

Great great.

Brian: 42:05

Alright, last one, karey Vedvik. Karey Vedvik.

Ryan: 42:22

I'm going to go Skoll. I'm going to go Skoll.

Brian: 42:25

Skoll, I can see why you said that, because that's a very Norwegian sounding name. So fun fact about Karey Vedvik is he was a punter for the Vikings, but he is from Norway, so he's like a real life Viking.

Ryan: 42:41

Oh yeah, so I was excited to find him.

Brian: 42:46

I'll give you half point. So you did quite well. You know your Vikings.

Ryan: 42:51

Yeah, I mean, those were not household names there by any stretch.

Brian: 42:57

No, I didn't want to make it easy on you so, like I said, you probably never have thought about your Vikings fandom from those angles before, but you did quite well.

Ryan: 43:07

Thank you, that was fun. I didn't know that was coming. Very enjoyable.

Brian: 43:12

Hey, yeah, there you go, so that's going to pretty much wrap it up. Is there any final thoughts that you want to share with anyone about being a Vikings fan? Or just words of encouragement for your dad, if he listens to this?

Ryan: 43:24

No, just be kind to any Vikings fans that you see on the street. We've been through a lot. We've had many hopes and dreams dashed when January rolls around, so hug your nearest Vikings fan.

Brian: 43:42

I like it. That's a perfect way to end it. Well, thank you for joining us today, Mr Ryan.