The Minnesota Vikings will induct former CB Bobby Bryant into the club’s Ring of Honor during halftime this Sunday, September 22. The ceremony will cap the Legends Weekend’s festivities that will bring approximately 100 former Vikings to the game against the Houston Texans.
Bryant, who spent 14 seasons with the team from 1967-80, notched a combined 57 regular season and playoff interceptions in his career, which ranks first in Vikings history. His six playoff picks remain a team record, and he ranks second in regular season interceptions with 51. Despite missing his rookie season in 1967 and playing in just one game in 1974, Bryant’s 160 regular-season games played and 128 starts (174 games, 141 starts including playoffs) are second among Vikings cornerbacks.
A starter in both Super Bowl VIII and XI, Bryant played on 10 division-winning Vikings teams. He earned Second-Team All-Pro honors in 1969 and was named to the Pro Bowl following the 1975 season. In his career, Bryant scored six defensive touchdowns, including the Vikings longest playoff interception returned for a touchdown with a 63-yarder at Dallas in 1973. He also scored on a 90-yard blocked field goal return in a 1976 playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams, the longest playoff touchdown in team history. Bryant was a key part of Vikings defenses that ranked first in the NFL in pass defense five times from 1969-76.
Bryant is the first cornerback to earn his place in the Vikings Ring of Honor. His addition brings the Vikings Ring of Honor to 28 members. Current members include Fran Tarkenton, Alan Page, Jim Finks, Bud Grant, Paul Krause, Fred Zamberletti, Jim Marshall, Ron Yary, Korey Stringer, Mick Tingelhoff, Carl Eller, Cris Carter, Bill Brown, Jerry Burns, Randall McDaniel, Chuck Foreman, John Randle, Scott Studwell, Chris Doleman, Matt Blair, Joey Browner, Ahmad Rashad, Randy Moss, Dennis Green, Steve Jordan, Kevin Williams, and Jared Allen.
Along with the induction ceremony, fans will see the following game elements this Sunday:
Legends Walk
At 10 a.m., fans will have the opportunity to welcome Legends and guests as they walk through the Medtronic Plaza and enter U.S. Bank Stadium.
Legends Autographs
From 10:30 – 11:30 a.m., Vikings Legends Jesse Solomon and Alfred Anderson will sign autographs at the Medtronic Plaza.
Pre-Game Presentation – MVC Alumni
200 current and former Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders will perform during the pre-game presentation as a tribute to Legends Weekend.
National Anthem
The national anthem will be performed by Vikings Legend Esera Tuaolo. The former defensive tackle for the Vikings from 1992-1996 has sung the national anthem at multiple sporting events and auditioned for Season 13 of The Voice in 2017, making it to the final six contestants. Tuaolo has been an LGBTQ+ advocate and leader in the NFL community, raising awareness on how to create safe and fair spaces for all. Vikings Legends will join Tuaolo on the field for the national anthem in the west end zone.
Gjallarhorn
As part of his Ring of Honor induction, Bobby Bryant will sound the Gjallarhorn prior to kick off.
The Classic Uniform
The Vikings will wear The Classic uniforms for this game. Designed to pay homage to the Vikings squads from the 1960s and 1970s, the uniform features a deeper purple hue, traditional lettering and numbering, gold trim accents and gold and white sleeve stripes. The look, which was unveiled in 2023, also includes a helmet with the vintage Vikings horn and gray facemask and white pants featuring a gold stripe flanked by purple stripes, the style worn by the Vikings through the team’s first 45 seasons.
Hometown Hero
This week’s hometown hero will be Tracy Byrd, 2024 Minnesota Teacher of the Year. After leaving his career in the financial field in 2017, Byrd began his teaching career as a hall supervisor and coach in Wayzata before earning his teaching license. Byrd continues to make an impact at his alma mater Washburn High School in Minneapolis both in the classroom and on the track while also serving as Washburn’s track and field coach.
Miller Lite Military Moment
SFC Kristopher Janke, Manager of the Suicide Prevention Program for the Army Reserve, will be recognized as Miller Lite’s Military Moment during Sunday’s game. Each year, the program provides training to educate Army Reserves on the importance of mental health and provides resources for units covering Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Nebraska and the Dakotas.
(info courtesy of Vikings)
