What the parades are for | Dorktown

This is the second episode of our seven-part docuseries, THE HISTORY OF THE MINNESOTA VIKINGS. Episode 1 is here if you’d like to catch up: • 56 pounds of beer | Do...
For the Vikings, the 1970s were so full of comedy, drama, and doomed snowmobiling expeditions that we had to split this decade into two episodes. And we STILL had to leave stuff out! What a team.
Written and directed by Jon Bois
Written and produced by Alex Rubenstein
Rights specialist Lindley Sico
Secret Base executive producers Will Buikema and Jon Bois
Known goofs:
• It’s difficult to say for sure, but Jon believes he probably got the play-by-play chart of the first quarter of the 1970 divisional round game a little bit wrong. We weren’t able to fully reconcile the difference between what we read in game accounts and what we saw in video recaps, but in any case the score remains accurate.
• In 1973, their loss to the Bengals was by 27 points, not 18
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[@mishi583]

My main takeaway from the first two episodes is that Bud Grant is an amazing human being.

[@TheBrainSpecialist]

The man is a legend in Minnesota and Manitoba for a reason

[@coreyf1204]

His ability to adapt to any situation, in any environment, is impressive.

[@fortynights1513]

Great coach, and a fascinating person.

[@rapsculio8634]

Him and Alan Page both

[@markellzey1531]

He has an amazing story. I remember when I discovered him. A gray haired coach from the 70's that I discovered was still alive well into the 2010's. That oddity led me to look more into him. I'm a Bears fan, but I respect Bud Grant greatly.

[@vonriel1822]

22:07 This segment right here is my vote for why these documentaries are so compelling. Out of nowhere, in the middle of a retrospective about football, we're treated to a brief side story, about a man who made a toy. A two minute tribute to a man who brought a sport to the lives of so many, only slightly related to the larger story at play, and it brought me to tears. It's been evident ever since The Bob Emergency, with the story of Bob Beamon. The ability to seamlessly segue into this content? The ability to find these small vignettes in any overview no matter how buried? The way they tug at your heart? It's wonderful. It's impossibly compelling, and it draws me in like nothing else on this damned site.

[@DrZaius3141]

Not to mention a segment about a guy almost dying about twice a year and still not missing any games. Or a pro athlete who just did it so he can finish his law degree and fight for civil rights.

[@terakahn]

I feel like there are so many untold smaller stories in the larger narrative and these guys will see those and be like, you know what, people need to know this.

[@unkledoda420]

What's with all the question marks? None of those sentences were questions.

[@Stinky_Steven]

@@unkledoda420I believe it’s called a declarative question

[@jupiter--system]

There are no dull stories. The world is full of wonder.

[@theenglishman]

So far, the moral of this story seems to be "if you are affiliated with the Vikings in any way, there is a non-zero chance you will find yourself in a snowstorm and nearly freeze to death"

[@Dr.CaveCurinas]

That's true of most who live in the state of Minnesota. Take it from someone who was born and raised there

[@theboyisnotright6312]

Lol, there is a reason the Vikings record was much better when they played outside. Just the physiological factor is priceless

[@MrThomasJohanson]

"The Vikings stuck together, for the right not to." Beautifully put, Jon.

[@mustbemeech]

Bruh that was a raw quote 🔥🔥

[@luke8054]

Fred Cox's grandson is a regular at my father's deli. When Fred heard my dad is a lifelong fan he sent a signed picture with a thank you note for feeding his grandson. RIP Fred

[@slyfox2022]

Feeding his grandson, thats class

[@rileywern9619]

I graduated with his grandsons and it's very funny to me that all of them played soccer. Whole family is amazing. It was funny at one of their grad parties, every time someone asked him how he was, he'd say "ya know for getting in a car crash 4 times a day for 20 years I'm doing all right!" RIP fred

[@sominboy2757]

freds son commented on a couple of yt vids about his dad. i wish i remembered his username.

[@michaelgerber7302]

@@rileywern9619 Interesting finding you here

[@rileywern9619]

@michaelgerber7302 are you kidding this is like the one video you're guaranteed to find me at lmao

[@timfortune9]

The Wrong Way Run is usually just seen as funny rather than tragic because: 1) it was a regular season game in a year we didn't make the playoffs. 2) Vikes ultimately won the game. And 3) It was because of another Marshall fumble that Eller scooped and scored. And apparently, Van Brocklin was strangely more amused than pissed saying that Marshall had done the "most interesting thing in the game" with it.

[@latinoheateddieguerrero7644]

The play by play commentary on that play was legendary. NFL films used it in an intro. “It’s picked up by Jim Marshall and he’s running the wrong way.”

[@chinesemassproduction]

Yeah I choose to look at it as a funny moment in sports rather than a negative one.

[@mattponikvar4944]

Van Brocklin is honestly the most interesting coach in NFL history. Not in a million years would I think Norm, notorious red ass coach, was amused at one of his players running the wrong way on a fumble recovery. Norm really is an enigma

[@robertwilloughby8050]

@@mattponikvar4944 I think Norm probably thought "This is so mind-numbingly insane - and hey, we won - that me getting on Jim's back would be just plain MEAN. So I won't."

[@tomconneely1361]

The wrong way run was one of the first pieces of American football footage I ever saw. It think it was included in an explainer segment on ITV's World of Sport sometime in the late-1970s. I'm sure I've seen it since, but I'd forgotten about it until this vid.

[@PurpleWolferine]

Watch party on Lake Minnetonka? Who's with me? We can rent a boat!

[@wvu05]

Who's going to make pancakes after purifying themselves in its waters?

[@JWex-jy7sk]

Boat has a good amount of bathrooms right? We won’t have to resort going to shore and using someone’s lawn?

[@greengandalf9116]

Hey hey, that's for the 2000s-2010s episode.

[@donborvio]

Paging Fred Smoot. Fred Smoot to the courtesy phone please.

[@pserndbsj8337]

My Norwegian friend has a big wooden boat, I'll tell him and his buddies to paddle it over.

[@josephmatthews7698]

Holy cow. I was raised to love guys like Tarkenton but my big take away from this installment? Alan Page is a real life superhero. Dude should have a holiday named after him.

[@Rice_Fr1ed_Shrimp]

He’s extremely high regarded in the Twin Cities. He has a school and a park named after him

[@AllAmericanGuyExpert]

Funny thing is ... directly to the right of my comment is a Neil DeGrasse Tyson video ... the two are uncannily similar in some way, but I can't put my finger on it.

[@JoshuaKimbrough]

​@@AllAmericanGuyExpertNeil is pedantic, Alan isnt

[@rustyslug2943]

Superhero? I mean, he was impressive, but so was everyone else on these Supreme Courts.

[@tesseract2144]

@@rustyslug2943 How many guys in the supreme court could send 170kg criminals flying 3 meters if they need to ?

[@CadChamberlain]

Jim Marshall's career is honestly incredible and its a shame hes defined by one play. He should without a doubt be a hall of famer.

[@unkledoda420]

Without a doubt.

[@frozennorth3426]

@@CinemaDemocraticaHe is not. He is widely seen as one of the greatest of all time, and he is not in the Hall of Fame.

[@jingallsthestud]

Screwed over by one play.

[@AYoungAdultOnYoutube]

It would’ve been even more humiliating if the Vikings lost that game to the Niners by one or two points

[@frozennorth3426]

@@CinemaDemocratica Jim Marshall Years in American pro football: 20 Browns: 1960 Vikings: 1961-1979 …plus 1959 pro w Saskatchewan Roughriders, back when that counted (and today the 4th-oldest pro football team in the world) Games Played: 282 Games Started: 277 Consecutive Started: 270 Sacks (per PFR): 130.5 Fumble Recoveries: 30 NFL Championship (pre-merger): 1969 2x probowl 3x 2nd team all pro Records (still held as of August 2023): Most seasons played by a defensive player: 20 (tied w 2 others) Most complete seasons played by a defensive player: 20 Most consecutive games played by a defensive player: 289 Most consecutive regular-season games played by a defensive player: 282 Most consecutive starts by a defensive player: 277 Most consecutive regular-season starts played by a defensive player: 270 Most fumbles recovered: 30 Most opponent's fumbles recovered: 29 Current age: 85 Residence: St. Louis Park, MN

[@kalindastrome2182]

Alan Page still plays the sousaphone every year at the twin city marathon on his porch to cheer on the runners. My dad ran a marathon for the first time in his life just to see that. A really amazing guy.

[@the_kelvinator_]

The monologue at the end is pure poetry. I'm very thankful to live in a time where I get to hear and watch Jon Bois do his damn work!

[@redapplefour6223]

yea i just went audibly ‘fuckin hell jon!’ at the end

[@PSpencer]

@@redapplefour6223 i spoiled myself somewhat by reading the original comment partway through the video. even knowing it was going to happen, i still sat there silent for a minute before just uttering "wow." jon bois is a fucking treasure and he deserves so much more.

[@FrenzyFreak05]

I can't believe he's just giving this quality of writing away for free on KZbin

[@gpglicious]

AMEN

[@CagedMan69]

That was the dumbest thing I've heard. Ww2 deserters? These guys are so full of themselves.

[@RetroBaseball]

If I did the math right this video will premiere exactly when my in-laws come over. a perfect distraction! Jon never fails!

[@sethrussell6393]

Tell them I said hi

[@lukebsharah6866]

You lucky!!

[@lukethegamer007]

impeccable timing

[@Surberus_]

Did you time it right?

[@teen_laqueefa]

Watch with em bond

[@jacobjones3916]

KZbin channels like these put FS1 and ESPN to shame. This is far better written and produced than anything I've seen on either network for years

[@Official_Kings_Versus]

Without a doubt !

[@latinoheateddieguerrero7644]

The NFL network has all the best football documentaries but the old NFL Films was my favorite. ESPN 30 for 30 and E60 have also produced some masterpieces.

[@DepravedCoTApologist]

​@@latinoheateddieguerrero764430 for 30 is probably the only great thing ESPN has anymore

[@Prederick]

I barely knew who Alan Page was before today. And wow, is that ever an indictment on me. Wow. What a player, and what a life.

[@Hawkmanuno]

(Written shortly before the video premieres) Well, in the last episode, it was revealed that this was the overall 3rd winningest team in the NFL in the super bowl era. So obviously that means they must have won a fair share of Super Bowls. And I just learned they went to the SB three times in the 70s, so equally obviously they must have won at least one of them, probably two. Stands to reason. So this will be a really happy episode for all Vikings fans, right? Right?

[@squillz8310]

.......right?

[@fredtrunce5931]

As a lifelong Vikings fan.. I have terrible news for you.

[@nirvanabutnomoreideas6534]

Does anyone have the heart to tell him?

[@stacywood2546]

no, I cried...

[@atlassolid5946]

hehe

[@MetalGod999]

My 2 biggest takeaways from this episode about the Minnesota Vikings are as follows: 1: Jim Marshall should've been in the Pro Football Hall of Fame YEARS ago. Sure, he ran the wrong way one time, but it was an honest mistake on his part. Oh, and for the record, the Vikings went on to WIN that game against the 49ers. So...no harm, no foul. 2: Jim Marshall & Alan Page have had Hall of Fame lives. Marshall for being a highly adventurous person on and off the field, and Page for being an incredible intellectual and class act on and off the field. Much love and respect to both of them for having truly great careers.

[@Lep2005]

So you are telling me our kicker problems started 50 YEARS AGO

[@Ben-ql7lw]

I know we all love Jon but can we give some love to Alex? He's criminaly underapriciated.

[@Joshh-uk1ww]

Alex gang

[@calzoneyyy]

ALEX GANG!

[@coletrickle1775]

Jon's the goat, just is what it is.

[@Joshh-uk1ww]

@@coletrickle1775 I mean he still only plays a singular roll in it though. Alex is has much a stat guy has he is, even more so arguably. His voice is just not has soothing. It also doesn’t help that Alex bits in these series are only the math bits, everyone else gets to tell emotional moments or comedic side stories but Alex gets math, and not even the cool math with giant charts usually just math. Anyway Jonis the goat but that doesn’t mean Alex shouldn’t get his flowers

[@loafy2]

Big Alex Fan

[@baracksays9401]

Imagine you’re freezing to death and then Jim Marshall says “The Grim Reaper isn’t getting you tonight”

[@goldlion9066]

Minnesota is a very young and promising franchise! I really see them winning, let's say, three superbowls in the next 20 years. 👍👍

[@dirtylaundry022]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@LoganLS0]

Lol.

[@GermanShepherd1983]

Put the bong down and back away. Vikes will never win a SB

[@barretscholl2760]

I said that 20 years ago

[@rodgerjontre7563]

@@GermanShepherd1983I need that bong to cope with being a Vikings fan

[@alarson1976]

I'm in line to become a supervisor for the first time sometime in the next month. Having watched the first 2 episodes, I'm now using Bud Grant as my model of how to manage.

[@stevenperry9762]

Bravo.

[@theboyisnotright6312]

That certainly is a good plan!

[@SuperNuclearUnicorn]

The way that Jon romanticises football is incredible lol. Makes me think of the AFL here in Australia and its 150+ year history and the feelings of Grand Final day

[@donaldmacisaac8479]

It’ll never happen, but as a fellow Aussie I can only dream of a Jon Bois video on the AFL

[@MrDevilRays]

My dad used to work as a landscaper for Dr Gary Cuozzo at his estate here in Jersey. He used to let my dad bring me over so I could go in his pool. Great guy.

[@coverkillernation]

The transcripts for these long form, multi-episodic series could be assembled and sold as books and would probably become some of the best-selling sports literature of the 21st Century. There's more than facts and figures, there's also heart, humor and genuine admiration. Love you, Jon and Alex. See you in part 3.

[@musyarofah1]

Jon congratulating Super Bowl winners seems to be the new 'putting Urban Saxman on team's rival'

[@an0gr0br]

Urban Saxman’s gotta be coming though, right? We’re two episodes in and I don’t think Green Bay has been mentioned once 😂

[@fortynights1513]

@@an0gr0brUnless you count when they mentioned them winning the first two Super Bowls, they haven’t been mentioned. They probably aren’t coming up again for awhile; they weren’t very good in the 70’s and 80’s.

[@philluso]

I always thought it was strictly a Jazz theme for New Orleans.

[@fortynights1513]

@@phillusoMaybe we could hear it when we get to 1987, 2000, or 2009.

[@genoesposito2895]

I think Urban Saxman is the unofficial theme of the Saints, not just whatever rival the team has.

[@chunt7343]

I maintain that Jon Bois is the best storyteller of this generation. An unbelievable gift to intertwine sports history with the most human of moments, the ability to make an unknown person become my new favorite player in a matter of minutes, the instinct to deliver a life-altering message in the middle of a bout of goofiness. Jon, your content will always be my favorite.

[@austinworyn3775]

“They stuck together for the right not to” WOW what a quote

[@thecorbohole3637]

This series has been absolute unabating agony so far. This is one of the most likeable teams I have ever met but I know how this ends, so every time they win a playoff game, every time they look like they're going to do it this time, I get heartbroken all over again.

[@lucency]

As a Packer fan I really didn't expect to come out of the first two videos in this series feeling so genuinely sad for the Vikings.

[@Cinerary]

@@lucencywait til the 90s and 00s videos. 1998 alone is the alpha prime soul killer. If you are a fan, you go numb, if you’re an outsider, you can’t help but feel awful

[@SimuLord]

@@CineraryI remember exactly where I was for that 1998 NFC title game-my then-girlfriend's parents' house, watching the game with her dad. Which is kind of strange because I'm a Patriots fan and had no emotional stake in the outcome of the game, and it wasn't some watershed moment in the relationship, just a "we're going out after but the game's on" average day. That's how mind-blowing that game was.

[@colonialstraits1069]

Relax, you couldn’t possibly imagine real agony, that of a Lions’ fan.

[@timpietz2279]

​@@colonialstraits1069 there are different kinds of agony. The Lions refuse to give you a glimmer of hope. The Vikings bring up your hopes year after year only to crush them when it matters most. I'm not sure which is worse. 😂

[@SkilesHasFun]

Thank you and rest in peace to Fred Cox. The unsung hero of the game of football, especially to wimpy-ass kids like me.

[@prodbyANT]

I never knew Bud Grant existed until a week ago but I would take a bullet for him.

[@user-kh1xr4wz3s]

this goes so hard i cried at the nerf monologue

[@e.j.blaker5753]

As a Packers fan it kills me that the next phenomenal series from these guys is on the Vikings. It hurts even more that I’m loving every second of it

[@trutwijd]

As a MN I would totally enjoy a history of GB from these guys. Both very interesting teams

[@fortynights1513]

@@trutwijdI doubt Green Bay would occur to them. No knock on their team, but it’s been too successful to the point where the mainstream has probably covered it a lot.

[@Sukuun]

Don’t count on ever getting one, you have 3 Super Bowl trophies. I think Secret Base does this only for teams with no happy ending, the Cavs being the only exception.

[@fortynights1513]

@@SukuunAnd even in the Cavs case, they covered everything leading up to that first championship, the bulk of which was probably not that well known

[@vandad13]

@@fortynights1513could make a series focused on the teams dark age

[@stuartdollar9912]

I was at that 1973 NFC Championship Game. It was my first live NFL game. I was pulling for Minnesota, with a bunch of Dallas fans.

[@fortynights1513]

In that year, we saw what were probably the four best teams in the 70’s on the NFC side in the same bracket: Minnesota, Dallas, Washington, and Los Angeles (the Rams that is). It’s not talked about much, but home field advantage up through the 1974 season was determined by a rotation among division winners, and the winner of the Vikings’ division got the wild card that year. Under today’s rules I think Los Angeles would have hosted Washington and the NFC Championship matchup would have occurred in the divisional round.

[@Mclarenboy100]

The whole monologue from 48:43 on is poetry. It's one of the *best* readings, interpretations, depictions and analysis of sport I've ever heard, and I've seen your videos about Bobs and the Mariners. The links you drew to the desire to conquer, to be celebrated, to be victors, within culture and imperialism within America, all to relate to a team born from an imperialist adjacent myth and a game with defined markings on a field. Not to mention the perfect lead-up into that with the labour struggles the team went through in a similar war of their own. Jon & Alex are part of the rarified few that truly makes sense of football, of baseball, of *sport* in general, in this world and the lives we live on it.

[@lackedshark9]

Couldn’t agree more

[@Odin314]

Damn right. I got chills listening to that. Bois and Rubenstein really are some of the best storytellers today.

[@fortynights1513]

Very well put

[@Cordova2Pro]

The ending essay is beautiful, connecting the dots of the NFL to American culture and identity so succintly. Amazing work.

[@fortynights1513]

Very creative connection, and this was a very good video in my opinion. Whether I’ll end up calling it my favorite part of the series has yet to be seen, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it ends up being my favorite part. Two fun facts about about the 1973 NFL playoffs: First, every Super Bowl from 1969-1984 featured at least one franchise that was in that postseason. And second, seven of the eight teams were coached by a future pro football Hall of Fame head coach. On the AFC side: Chuck Noll, Paul Brown, Don Shula, and John Madden; and on the NFC side: Bud Grant, Tom Landry, George Allen, and the one non Hall of Famer, Chuck Knox. Knox himself is probably one of the most accomplished coaches who will likely never be in Canton.

[@legostarwarsrulez]

The Vikings may have never won the big game, but they’ve won a huge court case, which is more than other NFL teams can say.

[@Ryan-ei7te]

I love Dorktown titles because they are clearly written with active contempt for SEO

[@thefutureofcontent9816]

god, you guys might have truly perfected telling the stories you want to tell throught this medium. I cried at "he just loved seeing his guys stick together." Such a subtle line that makes you reflect on everything. Beautiful work, to every single person involved

[@MihitsTilozi]

It's incredible how you can find inspiration almost anywhere you could look. The invitation of Grant to the union meeting as a guest sends chills down my spine.. imagine that, people treating one another with respect and an open mind, on the players part to share such a meeting and on Grant's part, to be humble enough to simply watch.

[@thenumberquelve158]

Their play is at an "astronomically high level" under Neill Armstrong. Wow, dude xD Kudos for getting that line out with a straight face... er... voice. Those numbers for the Purple People Eaters are ASTOUNDING. Never knew just how good they were. I also have to say, given that I grew up in San Diego.... going over a bunch of extremely consequential missed field goals was quite unpleasant.

[@petermclellan5392]

I'm a lifelong Packer fan, raised in Minnesota. While I have still not been made sympathetic to the Vikings, this series has already convinced me that Bud Grant's teams had the best defense in history.

[@Two-ToneMoonStone]

As someone who has been enjoying Jon's work for 10 years now, it never fails to amaze me how compelling he, Seth, Alex, and Kofie can make almost any subject, even the fictional idea of basketball talent being sapped from the sport until its eventual oblivion. Love to the whole Secret base team. You guys deserve the world.

[@phoenixtylewitters5442]

"crunch time field goals turn out to be there krypotonite" this will surely not be a recurring theme

[@pepperypeppers2755]

"But if we beat Miami, we fan always come back here and cut down the net" had me in stitches

[@taari1]

I mean we all know Jon is a genius, but shoutout to Alex, love you, too. never forget that. You're part of this and we, or at least I don't want to miss you. Your voice is a nice changeup and fits really well for these videos. Glad you're in it. And of course thanks for all the research and time that has gone into it.

[@redgreen82]

My dyslexic ass read this title as "What are the Padres for?"

[@neutralamity]

that's a valid question

[@lacanm1554]

Masterclass of an ending, im so glad i caught the premiere of this

[@theprofserb]

This is the coldest cliff hanger I've ever heard in a sports documentary. My goosebumps are ascending

[@SimuLord]

The '72 Vikings and 2010 Chargers need to get together and go bowling.

[@SkolneyVikings]

If the Vikings had any kind of quality QB play in 70 or 71 they would have had a great shot at a super bowl win.

[@ferrousallotrope]

The outro is a literary masterpiece. The analogy of football and war games is spot on

[@fortynights1513]

As well as Super Bowl victory parades to celebrating winning a war, and the territory being conquered to the amount of yardage gained on a play. The outro here is definitely one of Jon’s best narrations.

[@Weneedaplague]

The absolute speed of these guys with the videos. Don't burn out, the graphics are sick but don't die over it

[@Weneedaplague]

I hate that KZbin can't half the frame rate at 1080p so I can watch it on my tv in a good resolution though

[@jjmav9]

What do you think hurt Jim more, the broken leg or the self ball-kick?

[@northstarjakobs]

Don't forget the snapped arm

[@just_gut]

These documentaries are just incredible. I wish there were more of them more often, but I would never sacrifice the quality and beauty of these for quantity. Thank you.

[@ericford7778]

The kid from the Montana snowmobiling incident at the beginning, Bobby Leiviska, is the grandfather of professional disc golfer Cale Leiviska, who is the nephew of Twins legend Paul Molitor!! Everyone in Minnesota is related!

[@ryankeeler1377]

It’s so crazy how talking about the history of my sad, sad team has got me emotional. Maybe validated for every hurdle we’ve tripped over. So grateful for both Jon, Alex and everyone involved in this tastefully made masterpiece. I’m 2 episodes in and falling in love all over agin with my silly purple Norsemen

[@christianstough6337]

Two more miscellaneous points. 1) Cuozzo was well regarded by a number of teams. He had tutored with the Browns- who were considered QB graduate school by many and the Cardinals traded Gilliam for him to replace Jim Hart- who was one of the best quick release drop back passers in the game. Sadly, Cuozzo never translated this regard into success on the football field. 2) A huge shout out for the Vikings play against Dallas in 1971. The Dallas Offensive line was elite (4 players were former or future all pros/pro bowlers) and had two years to work out the kinks as a line. In fact, every member of that Dallas offense was great (5 HOFers, 7 pro bowlers/all-pros- would have had one more , but Neely was injured), except for Ditka and Turax- who were both older and a bit hobbled, yet still dangerous and great blockers. An overlooked feature of that game was that Dallas was using Duane Thomas at fullback and Calvin Hill at Tailback- both phenomenal runners and among the leagues best in 1970-71. In the two previous games, where Dallas used the Hill and Thomas backfield, Hill/Thomas had combined for 233 and 272 yards from scrimmage and 9 TD's (against the NYG and NYJ). The Vikings held them to 107 yards from scrimmage combined and 1 TD. An outstanding job by the Vikings defense.

[@cliffcelado2191]

Man from 48:45 to 53:04... The Framing of everything..Fantastic! 😊 The work that Jon and Alex and everyone at Secret Base continually commit to isnt just charts, graphs, or awesome history lessons of sports and Beyond...Its FUCKING ART! ❤ Especially for a crazy Sports nut like me its amazingly Fantastic and Therapeutic. Continue your Beautiful and Amazing work fellas. Because of you guys, more than ever actually, I Love Sports and the writtten and unwritten stories it tells even more. Thank you ❤

[@timmyd24601]

I feel like it doesn’t need to be said, but I’ll say it anyways…. The way that y’all frame football around life is downright beautiful… there are not many presumably seven hour series that are appointment viewing for me, but you’re darn right that this series is…. And I’m a Lions fan to boot…. Love what you guys do, thank you, sincerely…

[@lebradyskywalker5761]

How is Jim Marshall not in the Hall of Fame

[@Michaelonyoutub]

Didn't think I could like and respect Bud Grant any more than I already did, then I hear he quietly supported his player when striking for better terms even though them winning could potentially significantly negatively affect the future of his career.

[@zachwells5049]

35:31 bro I lost it because the chart is in sync with the music that stuff always makes me laugh for some reason

[@nathanhunter6201]

We saw this during the Falcons series too: the refs of the 1970s postseasons were basically bonus members of the Dallas Cowboys.

[@jacks_alt]

Had an existential crisis 10 minutes before the video went live. You are my savior.

[@PuckADV]

First 5 minutes of this video hit hard, you almost think this guy is crazy for flying a home made plane but then realize he’s a hero for his actions, safe to say Marshalls spirit saved those people

[@HeyItsAJOmega]

16:41 - as someone who didn't know the story and had no idea what Jon was about to say, when he paused after 'His name...', I instinctively said '...is Fran Tarkenton' in a sort of 'heck, it would be really cool if that was what happened. Then a second later I genuinely cheered when that's *exactly* what Jon said. :)

[@christianstough6337]

This video is awesome. I've been obsessed with how NFL teams were built from 1967 to1980 for a bit and this video scratched that itch very well indeed.Great visuals, voice overs, graphics and info. Well done! I kind of wish you guys had split the video into two parts- 1969-1971, 1972-1975 as they represent two distinct shifts for that team. The Vikings offense was horrible , but starts to change when Tarkenton and Foreman come onto the team; especially Foreman. After Foreman, the Vikings become truly dangerous. However, the Vikings of that eras are facing the challenge of maintaining an aging defense while trying to build a potent offense- and they never quite get the mixture right. They are also facing the challenge of a changing game as the NFL switches from a run based game to more pass oriented game. To me, this is what makes the Bud Grant era so remarkable- the fact that he is able to maintain a winner for so long despite these two exceptional challenges. Granted, the NFC Central was happy to oblige by being a very weak division, but still, the Vikings run in this era is so impressive. Grant was struggling mightily to replace parts while building an offense and he just couldn't pull it off well enough for the Vikings to be completely dominant for one or two seasons. But, lord of mercy, how close the Vikings came year in and year out.

[@fortynights1513]

I would generally agree with most of that. The 69 team was pretty darn good offensively, but they were worse on that end in 70 and 71, and as you said, the defense declined a bit while the offense improved in the mid 70’s. If Tarkenton was there the whole time, they may have had a better shot to win it all. I would agree with what you said, with one caveat: We still saw run oriented offenses have success for awhile afterward. In 1985, while the Chicago Bears obviously had a historically great defense, they had an offense built around Walter Payton that ranked second in points, and six years later, Washington had a number one offense while passing the ball the least. The real big change was the Mel Blount rule in 1978 which made contact beyond five yards from the line of scrimmage illegal, and enabled offensive linemen to extend their arms when blocking. The eleven seasons before that rule change (1967-1977) in my opinion are the Golden Age of NFL defense. We had several excellent defensive teams during that span (Purple People Eaters, Doomsday Cowboys, No Name defense of the Dolphins, the Red Wood Forest Chiefs, the Over the Hill Gang in Washington was good defensively, as were the Fearsome Foursome and 70’s Rams, Denver’s Orange Crush defense, and the 70’s Raiders to name several) and all told about 40 or so defensive Hall of Famers made at least one all pro team in that span.

[@christianstough6337]

Agreed! The 1967-77 era is just so wonderful. I love all the running backs- there were so many god ones. And the Mel Blount rule changed everything. I may be mistaken but I think there were some minor changes before that, that loosened up the pass a bit as well, but I might be misremembering. Thanks for your reply and great job with the videos. @@fortynights1513

[@Crowald]

This is without a doubt one of the most compelling pieces of KZbin media I've ever seen in my life. Jon's ability to convert nearly any plot point into a teachable, raw human moment of victory and perseverance is just awe-inducing. I don't even know that much about football, nor am I some super-fan, mostly because my state's team is awful (god why, Lions) but all the same these videos are deeply entertaining the most cathartic of ways. I finally understand why it is so many people who are older than me love the Vikings now, and once again, Secret Base proves their ability to construct a narrative from bare raw materials to comment on the greatest moments of sports history, and some of the coolest people to ever exist in it. Alan Page is truly fascinating, and my biggest takeaway from this entire video was the line "So, no, I don't think he's full of shit." Far too funny to be wrong, I absolutely love that Page is such a shining example of a person. Completely bucking the conception that football players are just dumb, uncomplicated brutish semi-trucks that crash the fuck into each other all game, he becomes a state Supreme Court judge. Just beyond an incredible guy. Didn't even know him before I started this video, and now he's one of the people I think I respect most in the world. Same thing with Bud Grant. A benevolent, caring coach who is just that kind and compelled by watching HIS team stick together. What a line to finish on, too: "The Minnesota Vikings stuck together for the right not to."

[@Newbobdole]

I KNOW, I KNOW... the first Gibbs era in Washington DESERVES a breakdown like this, but I don't anticipate that coming to pass anytime soon :(

[@ItsDylanMan]

the history is beginning to look a lot more Vikings than I anticipated

[@fortynights1513]

Part 1 was good. Can’t wait for the second installment!

[@DaveSouthorn]

I cannot stress it enough, I am so damn happy not just that these guys exist...but they're doing it on the Vikings. Franchise started the year my parents were born and it's an incredible way for me to talk with them about games they watched, related stories of those years, all of that. And the Vikings are extremely fascinating, from start to finish. So much crazy stuff coming up and I cannot wait.

[@northstarjakobs]

I showed my dad (a born and raised Minnesotan and big sports guy) the Seattle Mariners and Dave Stieb documentaries and I'm definitely showing him this one, though I haven't gotten the opportunity to yet. Sadly I'll be leaving to go back to college before the series has finished coming out, but hopefully we'll be able to watch at least one or two beforehand. One thing that makes me very excited to see what he thinks is that he's told me that he doesn't want to hear about anything from this series before he watches it. This means I haven't been able to tell him about the three wild drinking stories from the first video or the nerf football story from this one, but it's a good sign because he usually tries to go into something he's looking forward to with as little information as possible.

[@henrystickmin8661]

I shed a few tears at the Nerf Football part. Beautiful as always

[@Ninopheen]

Jim Marshall lived a life. What a guy.

[@astrostar49]

Chuck Foreman is one of the most underrated runningbacks in NFL history.

[@johnchedsey1306]

I'm just old enough to remember Bud Grant on the sidelines of the Vikings. As a kid, he always seemed like precisely what a coach should look like. White hair, stoic, thoughtful. And I wasn't even a Vikings fan. Alan Page is still one of my all time favorites from that era, but mostly because of his accomplishments after football. Pretty amazing life.

[@ScholarlyHiccup]

I still cannot get over how incredible thIs video is. Every segment is incredible. Incredible football, incredible people, incredible stories, incredible insight, incredible emotion this entire series was beyond amazing, by still, episode 2 stands out. This video is my favorite individual piece of media, of any variety, and it’s not close. Appreciate you guys for bringing this into our lives.

[@TigerofRobare]

"In Football the field general marches his troops down the field, fighting for every yard of territory with a combination of long bombs and rifled short passes while defending against the blitz. In baseball, the players are all trying go home and be safe." -- George Carlin.

[@jamesbarnhart3642]

Hey guys. My father grew up as a huge viking fan and watched this era growing up. I loved watching Ichiro and Griffey Highlights and I wanted you guys to know that seeing my dad just as interested as i was in watching an SB documentary was fantastic. Just wanted to say thank you for letting me share a great experience with my dad.

[@BrettKolman]

These guys should be getting awards for this stuff. Just really great writing and fascinating storytelling.

[@mikedrop4421]

These stories are phenomenal. You guys paint a beautiful picture with words.

[@cadensauerbrey9005]

The way John Bois puts together words is nothing short of incredible. I love the poetry John, and I have definitely stolen some of those things for my everyday use.

[@Matatabi6]

Oh my god the amount sympathy I have for Jon, as a tiny handed football obsessed child I also struggled to throw a regulation football but my solution was just to keep trying and eventually I could throw a spiral while only getting my hand a quarter of the way around the ball

[@purplepainforums]

_"the Vikings stuck together, for they're right not to"_ has a _"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it"_ ring to it👍

[@ignatiusjackson235]

I love these deep dives so much, especially because I've never been a fan of the NFL. Everything is new to me, so I'm constantly on the edge of my seat. And the context adds a whole 'nother layer of humanity to it all. God bless you, Mr. Bois and other guy.

[@isaacshaver6218]

Hey thank you guys. The stuff you do is always great, but this is another level. Sports, history, & personal interests all in one video. 😊 👏

[@MrScottie652]

Every NFL team , please. I can't get enough of this. Fantastic

[@rotomwash0355]

Watching these back to back is more enjoyable than I can describe. Jon Bois reading, talking, joking, being serious, it's my favorite sound. Pretty good.

[@haugy.]

Thank you for combining my two passions of history and football with this series. Please keep on doing what you do Jon and Alex

[@brycekeaton862]

Jon, you put to words exactly the kinds of things I have thought and felt about football for the past several years now in that closing monologue. I'm sure I don't have to tell you this, but it is always emphatically encouraging to see and hear artists like yourself affirming that my private thoughts and feelings are not insane in the slightest.

[@alonectorch7877]

that ending monologue is one of the best things i've seen in a long time

[@jgreenberg]

I love this channel so much. These series just draw you in and keep you. I've never been an American Football fan but here I am. Following this as though I'm a lifelong Vikings supporter. Jon, Alex and the SB team are incredibly gifted story tellers who spin compelling narratives out of seemingly mundane events, things that are hidden from regular view and things I would never normally be interested in. Genuinely enjoy everything on this channel more than any subscription service I am.

[@filipbujaroski9221]

Literally the best long form sports content on KZbin. Not even a football fan but I am loving this so much

[@shun0011]

Loving the division of the voiceover between Jon doing the history and Alex giving a play by play of the games. I think this fits both of your strengths very well as storytellers.

[@Manimal_Official]

What a beautiful way to wrap up the episode, love this stuff so much

[@bryanjones4444]

This is a great video and I learned a lot. I thought I knew about everything there was to know about the Vikings of this era, hats off to you.

[@EtoGenesis]

Just incredible detail once again! Can’t wait for part 3.

[@dr.cornwater2886]

Shout out to Alex for his excellent commentary for games. Even if it's a game I already know the ending to, I'm always hoping Alex will somehow change history for a more glorious ending. Those could be very boring sections but they're made so much better with his commentary. Good job to both of you as always!

[@grouchomcgrouch4150]

You guys are a great team and you do incredible work, it's inspirational to see and I really can't thank you enough