Monday, Sept. 18, 1961: Vikings shock Halas, Bears
Posted on April 24th, 2006 – 6:45 PMBy Ben Welter
Future Hall of Famer Fran Tarkenton hurled one during the Vikings’ first training camp in Bemidji in July 1961. The “Tarkenton” written on the tape on his helmet confirmed his rookie status. (Minneapolis Tribune photo by John Croft) In 1961, the Minnesota Vikings drafted University of Georgia quarterback Fran Tarkenton in the third round. A few months later, the rookie led the expansion team to a 37-13 victory over heavily favored Chicago in the first NFL game played at Metropolitan Stadium in Bloomington.
The Tribune’s game story detailed Tarkenton’s exceptional afternoon in relief of veteran George Shaw: 17 of 23 for 250 yards, four TD passes, one rushing touchdown, no interceptions. Two minutes into the second quarter, future offensive-coordinator-turned-whipping-boy Bob Schnelker scored Minnesota’s first touchdown on a 14-yard pass from Tarkenton. The defense, led by Jim Marshall and Rip Hawkins, “hit savagely up front” and kept the pressure on the Bears all afternoon.
Aside from the disappointing attendance (32,236), the franchise was off to a great start. But reality soon set in for the team laden with rookies and veteran castoffs. The Vikings lost their next seven games and finished 3-11.
Here’s an interesting sidebar published the morning after the big victory over Chicago. Note how classy the Bears were in defeat. No whining, no complaining — just matter-of-fact observations and praise for their opponents.
BEARS’ COACH HALAS SAYS:
‘Never Seen Anything Like It’
By DWAYNE NETLAND
Minneapolis Tribune Staff Writer
George Halas slowly rubbed a vein-line right hand through wisps of white hair and shook his head in utter disbelief.
“I’ve never seen anything like it,” confessed the owner-coach of the Chicago Bears, who had just absorbed a 37-13 National Football league loss from Minnesota’s Vikings.
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| Papa Bear could hardly believe his eyes. (Minneapolis Tribune photo by John Croft) |
“Give the Vikings credit for capitalizing on our mistakes,” Halas said. “But I have never seen so many things go wrong for a football team as they did for us today.
“I’ve been with the Bears for 42 years. In all that time I have never seen a center pass sail 10 feet over a punter’s head in a league game. I saw it today.
“The pass interference call [on J.C. Caroline] right away started us off on the wrong foot. We never did get going. The entire first period was a comedy of Chicago Bear errors.”
Then Halas stopped a moment, as if reminiscing through his own youth. “But how about those Vikings!” he said in obvious admiration. “They went out there with a purpose today. I can only imagine how Van Brocklin feels.”
“The moment the final gun had sounded, Halas shook off his gloom and raced over to shake [Norm] Van Brocklin’s hand. “This is a big day for you,” he boomed. “A big, big day. You’ll never forget it.”
Once over the shock of what happened to them, the Bears were able to offer an account of their dissection:
Rick Casares [fullback]: “I was scared to death before the game, feeling something like this could happen. The Vikings threw a bold challenge right at us in the first quarter, and we failed to meet it.”
Dave Whitsell, defensive back: “On the long pass play on which Jerry Reichow scored, he bent in and then out. I had him covered, but then I lost the ball in the sun. He made a great catch.”
Bob Wetoska, Minneapolis native [and DeLaSalle High graduate]: “I saw Fran Tarkenton get hit really hard several times, and he bounced up and gave it to us again. The guy’s got guts.”
John Adams, Bear punter who watched Ken Kirk’s center fly over his head: “Kirk has never made a bad pass in his life. The first thing I recall was chasing the ball. I think that play gave the Vikings the lift they needed.”
Kirk: “Nobody hit me at the snap. It was just a bad pass.”
Herman Lee, tackle: “You could move a Viking out of a play, and the next second he’d be in on a gang tackle.”
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| Beer and at least one cigarette were the order of the day as coach Norm Van Brocklin, quarterback Fran Tarkenton and the rest of the Vikings whooped it up after the team’s first victory. Defense back Rich Mostardi, far right, had the heater going. And that’s Bert Rose, the team’s GM, in the suit. (Minneapolis Tribune photo by John Croft) |
23 Responses to "Monday, Sept. 18, 1961: Vikings shock Halas, Bears"
I love the article,quotes and pictures!!!Great Job!!
Sincerely,
Kevin
Bowler
I remember this game very well. My friend Jimmy Jestus and I from North Minneapolis, ages 12 and 14 respectively rode the bus to the old Met. At half time we climbed a fence in center field saving us the price of a ticket, which we didn’t have anyway.
It was great fun to be there shared with a fond memory of witnessing Fran Tarkington’s first game as a rookie quarterback.
Ok, now let’s get a stadium built.
The guy’s got a beer and a smoke going in the locker room! Classic! Keep these stories comin!
What a delightful surprise to “find” this article by my old friend Dwayne. His articles on golf were aways outstanding and his books even more so. I hope to read more of his current work. Nancy
I worked that first game as an usher. I was assigned to the Bears Clubhouse. I remember how upset Papa Halas was over that loss to the point of banning the press from the clubhouse.
I was 11 when this game was played, and although there would be many lean years to follow (until Bud Grant stepped into the picture) but that first game was unforgettable.
As I recall, the new teams in the league - the AFL had just started the year before to further drain the talent pool - pretty much got their franchise and not much else, it really was a team of rookies and castoffs. For the Vikings to beat a powerful team like the Bears, was ridiculous.
One other note: until that point, Green Bay had been the ‘home team’ for Minnesota (re the NFL.)
Oh, how I long for the days of outdoor football. Rain, snow, or sleet, outdoor football cannot be beat! Viking football has not been the same since we so foolishly erected the wretched Metrodome. Shame on every last person who lobbied for that disgrace of a football stadium. If the Bears and Packers can play outdoors, why can’t we?
I was working in Chicago as a food chemist when the Vikings played their first game against the Bears. I grew up in Minnesota and followed the Gophers but knew nothing about pro-football. My fellow workers at Swift & Co. were telling me on Friday how bad the Bears would beat the new Vikings on Sunday. Monday morning they were quiet. All they said was that the Vikings were a very “lousy” team. My answer was, Then how “lousy” are the Bears??
Gosh… I love my cousin!!!
I was so proud of my uncle that day!!!
I was with my best friend Ranger Olin that day, and we were sittin right at the 50 yard line. After they scored their 5th touchdown and Ranger downed his 10th Pabst, Ranger took me to the Cardinal for a serious night of drinkin.It was the greatest night of my life. It was as great as watchin them win the super bowl, uh….well maybe not.
Wish I could have been there!
The Vikings got so lucky that day! You see what they did the rest of the season. My dad was so mad that day!
I was at the game to see my uncle, he was a rookie punter with the Bears. It was a great game for the Vikings, and my uncle,who got to punt quite a few times.
How come there aint no brothers on the team? If there was the score would probably be 77-13. You tryin to tell me there wasnt any qualified brothers? Must of been real exciting.
The Vikings had no three million dollars a year players back then when it meant getting a nose in the dirt not in the weed. Hats off to those crusaders.
That’s Tommy Mason standing just behind Tarkenton’s right shoulder - as good a running back, at his peak, as Chuck Foreman, which is to say, these two guys tie in my book for best Vike running backs ever. Mason got some bad knees on him early in his pro career, in the day before surgery could easily repair torn ligaments. He lost the half-step that made him great, but he was still very good. By the way, I suggest to Patrick Reusse that the anticipation for the Vikings opener in 1972 was fully the equal of 1970 or this week. In 1972 the game (vs. the Redskins) was on Monday Night Football, when EVERYbody watched Monday Night Football, and it was the return to Purple of Sir Francis after his unfortunate sojourn in a Giants uniform.
Still my greatest in person sports thrill.Winning their first game. Tark comes off the bench to relieve George Shaw. Thanks Dad for taking me. Note to Coach Childress get us together for a reunion at a Vikes game.Beating the big bad Bears awesome!
I was at that opening game and can remember the shock George Halas was in as the Vikes pulled the major upset of that season. What a thrill for us new Viking fans!
i think this story sucks,dude put us down from the start
People back then were a lot more intelligent and respectful. Just read what they said.
I went to the game with two cousins and my uncle. It was an unforgettable game and memory. I have been a lifelong Viking fan ever since.
i watched game from lower seats end zone. van broklin liked pocket passers not scramblers. when shaw wasn’t getting it done he had to use tarkington. WOW! the bears didn’t know how to handle him. when they left they the field they had to pass directly beneath where i was sitting. their complete exhaustion and frustation was evident. what a game!!
