In January 1977, I eagerly waited for the Minnesota Vikings domination of the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl XI. In the build up to this clash, I discovered something quite shocking. This wasn't nearly as shocking as the actual outcome of the game. It also wasn't as shocking as the Vikings inability to get back to the Super Bowl. It was still kinda shocking. The Minnesota Vikings were initially set to break bread in the American Football League. The reason that this unsettling news popped up in the week before Super Bowl XI is simple. The Oakland Raiders were in the AFL because the Vikings weren't.
In the latter half of the 1950's, the NFL's footing had become much more sure. The tireless work of commissioner Bert Bell had a lot to do with that. Several people wanted in the NFL's little party. Perhaps due to the nearly 40 years it took to get to that point, the NFL liked their exclusive little party just the way it was. 12 teams was enough. They told everyone "NO". Lamar Hunt was one of those turned away. He wasn't one to accept rejection too easily. He got a few of his rich, crazy friends and formed the American Football League. They would present a challenge the NFL had never seen.The Minnesota Vikings were set to be one of those teams in the new league. The ownership group was there and the Vikings mascot was selected. This was all set to be presented to the public. When the threat became a reality the NFL had to act quickly. They grabbed Dallas and welcomed the Cowboys to challenge Hunt's Dallas Texans (now the Kansas City Chiefs). Both George Halas and Paul Brown have taken credit for the Minnesota Vikings heist. I'm sure that both played a part, but I believe that Halas had extra motivation to take out a midwestern AFL threat to his Chicago Bears. Plus, he had a history with one of the members of the Vikings ownership group. Ole Haugrsrud owned the Duluth Eskimos in the 1920's. He may have saved the NFL when he signed Stanford great Ernie Nevers. Fans flocked to see Nevers play, increasing the interest in and finances of the struggling league. When the Eskimos folded, Haugsrud was promised a part of any future NFL team in Minnesota. Now was the time to make good on that promise and throw a shot at the AFL. The old league, with heavy support from Halas and Brown, stole the Vikings from the new league. There was never a question whether the Vikings owners would bolt to the established NFL if offered the chance. This was just days, perhaps hours, before the AFL was to present themselves to the world. The reeling newbies quickly settled on Oakland. Thanks to the Minnesota Vikings, we have Al Davis to humor and terrify us. Actually, I'm certain that an Oakland team would have happened at some point. They just wouldn't have been an AFL original. The Raiders, Chargers, Chiefs and Broncos do make up a nice division. All former AFL teams with a shared history of on the field batttles and a near decade war with the NFL. It's even harder for me to imagine the Vikings not linked with the Packers, Bears and Lions. The NFC North just feels right.
I know that I am commenting on a four-year old entry, but I just discovered this blog today.
ReplyDeleteNot only was Minnesota almost an AFL city, though, Seattle and Miami were, too. Willard Rhodes (the prospective Seattle owner) couldn't get use of Husky Stadium, so that was out.
As for Miami, Ralph Wilson was going to put his team there, but couldn't get use of the OB, so he went to Buffalo instead.
Instead of the Pats, Raiders, and Bills as AFL teams, we could have had the Seattle Pilots, Minnesota Vikings, and Miami Dolphins as original teams instead.