As if things hadn't been going bad enough for the Minnesota Vikings this year now they have a sex scandal to deal with. After being picked by most "experts" to finish in first in the weak NFC North Division the Vikings are off to a 1-3 start. Many factors from injury, player suspensions, and the loss of Randy Moss have contributed to the rough start. Not to mention that QB Daunte Culpepper has already thrown 10 interceptions in 4 games. (Compare this to last year when he threw 11INT's in 16 games.) No wonder players on this team needed to find a way to relax.
On Thursday October 6th Vikings players alledgedly threw a sex party on two rented boats. Of apparently 90 guests on 2 boats 17 of these guests were Minnesota Vikings. (Keep in mind 17 is roughly 1/3 of an active NFL Roster.) There are reports that photos were taken but none have surfaced to this point. Also it was leaked that free agent newcomer Fred Smoot was the Viking who organized this entire get together. When asked by reporters about the incident Smoot denied organizing the event and even threatened legal action.
"I'm looking into it. I'm done with the media." stated Smoot.
Should any of these allegations come as a surprise to any NFL fan? No not really. These kinds of things happen with NFL players and other athletes all the time. Hell this is a team who had a Running Back (Onterrio Smith) suspended this season when a prosthetic penis called The Whizzinator was found in his carry on bag in an airport. It's purpose was to help him beat a drug test. The entire team has trouble keeping its penis zipped up and out of the public eye.
The more pertinent question here is what will the damage be? It's no secret that Vikings coach Mike Tice was on a short leash to begin with and this instance is not going to help his case. If anything it might just supply new owner Zygi Wilf the oppurtunity he needs to push Tice out the door. The largest problem is that the Vikings had been working to get a deal in place for a new stadium. When your team is off to a 1-3 start it's hard enough to convince politicians and taxpayers to build you a new place to play, now your players are throwing wild orgies on boats.
Take this quote from Viking season ticket holder Bruce Berneice for example. "My wife and I talked about it, and it's over," Burniece said. "Back in 1985, tickets were $18. Now it's $98. I can deal with that as long as I'm being entertained and I feel the guys are trying and I think they care. I don't think they do. They get their clock cleaned in three of four games and this is what they did on their off-week? If they don't care, I don't care."
Things are ugly for the Minnesota Vikings right now and it doesn't look like times are going to get easier anytime too soon. The Vikings players may have been better off staying on the boats in question. The waters of Lake Minnetonka are probably a lot smoother than the water they will have to sail their Viking boat through now.
The first test will be this Sunday in Chicago against a struggling Bears team. If Mike Tice and the Vikings want to get this story behind them as quickly as possible the best way is to start winning. This Sunday is a good a time to start as any.
(Special thanks to the Minneapolis Star Tribune)
3 comments:
Mike Tice can't control what his team does off the field. He isn't that type of coach that strikes the fear of dealing with consquences that players will get if they screw up off the field. Minnesota needs to decide right now where they want this franchise to go. With the possiblity of a stadium looming, people want reason to help fund one built. They don't want THIS Minnesota Viking team. One that causes numerous problems off the field, is 1-3 thus far on the field, and no longer has the big playmaker in Randy Moss. They want the former Pro Bowl QB Daunte Culpepper to return the Vikes to playoffs. Luckily, their division is up for grabs this year. None of the teams want to win the NFC North. But if Tice stays on board for the rest of the year, bet your ass if he doesn't win the division, he's out of Minnesota.
The fact that this is even an issue is ludicrous. These are grown ass men who like women. This is a complete non-story. They get paid multiple millions to entertain us. I am not looking to raise my kids on how the 2nd string right tackle handles himself on monday-saturday. I really don't care.
Make that, "off to a 1-4 start".
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