The Purple-Clad Boys of Winter

Experience all the playoff wins of the 1970s Minnesota Vikings, with stories and perspectives from the players themselves.


Whether you were a football fan in the 1970s or are relatively new to the sport, you probably know the names of the former Minnesota Vikings greats and have heard about their legendary games. Hall-of-fame coach Bud Grant and his teams from that decade captured the hearts and minds of fans throughout Minnesota and across the nation. Millions of spectators tuned in to postseason football in late December to hear their favorite sports announcers say, "You're looking live at Metropolitan Stadium in Bloomington, Minnesota." It was from this unforgettable stadium that a host of dedicated, colorful, and selfless players ushered in a Golden Age of Vikings football.


In The Purple-Clad Boys of Winter, debut author, award-winning sportswriter, and lifelong Vikings fan Rick Bowman shines a spotlight on that era's biggest games and greatest achievements: all nine playoff victories between December 27, 1969, and December 26, 1977. Along the way, Rick shares incredible insights and unbelievable stories from the players who suited up and led Minnesota to victory. He interviewed almost every former player from the 1970s for this book!


Learn more about






The star wide receiver who almost refused a trade to Minnesota
Origins of the team's popular uniform and helmet design
The shrewd general manager who orchestrated the team's astronomic rise
Players wearing mismatched home jerseys for a 1973 playoff game




These moments and more are described in amazing detail, as you follow a generational National Football League team through its most monumental wins. The Purple-Clad Boys of Winter is a must-have for anyone who loves Minnesota sports. Score a copy for yourself, and you can give it as a winning gift too.