There's a funny-yet-painful analogy making the rounds in Minnesota this week. Having to host the Eagles and their often unruly fans for Super Bowl 52 in Minneapolis is like having your ex's wedding — after he or she dumped you — in your backyard and not being invited.
As a native Minnesotan, long-time Vikings employee and disappointed fan after last week’s disaster in Philly, I understand how the local populace is feeling. We're renowned for "Minnesota Nice" and being a friendly, welcoming state. But after hearing stories out of Philadelphia regarding how Vikings fans were mistreated and the team taunted at the NFC championship game, it will be a challenge for the thousands of residents who are Super Bowl volunteers and the rest of the local folks to turn the other cheek and be gracious hosts to the invading Eagles supporters.
The NFC title game is too fresh and painful. Instead of the Vikings being the first team to play a Super Bowl in their home stadium, the Twin Cities and Minnesota are the first city/state to host the NFL's biggest game two weeks after their team was eliminated in the conference title game.
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The last time Minnesota hosted the Super Bowl was following the 1991 season, when the Vikings finished 8-8 and out of the playoffs. When Washington and Buffalo came to town, there were no concerns about the teams and their fan bases other than the Redskins nickname. Who could dislike humble Washington coach Joe Gibbs, the Hogs (Washington's O-linemen) and lively running back John Riggins? The Bills were in their second of four straight Super Bowls. No reason to harbor ill will toward coach Marv Levy and quarterback Jim Kelly's bunch.
It's a lot different this time with these two teams and fan bases … especially those coming from the City of Brotherly Love, a moniker Minnesotans are having a hard time accepting.
The Patriots and their fans coming to town is tough enough to take considering they are an entitled group. They feel there's ample reason for their entitlement considering this is their eighth Super Bowl appearance in the past 17 years and 10th in their history. The New Englanders are highly confident, knowing they have the best coach-quarterback pair in NFL history leading the way.
While Patriots fans are not exactly angels, their behavior is a lot better than that of the "Fly, Eagles Fly" contingent.
As the underdog Eagles were routing the Vikings in the conference title game, Philly fans starting chanting "Foles" to taunt Minnesota fans and their famous "Skol" clap. OK, that kind of comes with the territory. It’s not a big deal.
But dumping beer on Vikings fans at the Linc, berating and picking fights with those wearing purple in the stands, throwing bottles at the Vikings’ team buses and, in one case, punching a police horse? Not OK.
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On road trips during my NFL career, we always were on high alert for trouble in Philly as much as or more than any other NFL city. Judging by last week's crowd, nothing has changed. Hopefully the nice Eagles fans will be more prevalent in Minneapolis, and the neutral site factor can keep the bad seeds more under control.
I was a member of the Minnesota Super Bowl Task Force in 1992 that worked with the NFL on planning for Super Bowl XXVI. We spent countless meeting time talking security and doing whatever we could to make sure it would be a great (and safe) experience for visitors with over-the-top hospitality. We couldn't control the weather — luckily it was a nice weekend with temps in the low-30s and no snow — but we pulled out all the stops to make everything else run smoothly.
This year's Minnesota Super Bowl Host Committee is hoping for decent winter weather, too … and that Eagles fans are coming to town focused on the Super Bowl and the Patriots. But the Vikings surely will still be in some of their thoughts, which will lead to taunts.
It's a recipe for trouble, and Twin Cities law enforcement will be out in force and on the lookout beginning the Thursday prior to the game. Police in Philadelphia also are likely making plans to head off any volatile post-game celebrations in the event the Eagles pull off a third straight postseason upset and knock off the Patriots.
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The slogan for Super Bowl 52 is "Bold North." Minnesotans indeed will need to be bold to handle the influx of Eagles fans. But count on those in the community to grin and bear it as they put their best foot forward and do another great job as Super Bowl hosts.
Perhaps “Minnesota Nice” will rub off on the Eagles fans, and they'll be more hospitable to opposing teams and fans in the future …
Nah. That would be a Philadelphia Miracle.
Jeff Diamond is a former president of the Titans and former vice president/general manager of the Vikings. He was selected NFL Executive of the Year in 1998. Diamond is currently a business and sports consultant who also does broadcast and online media work. He is the former chairman and CEO of The Ingram Group. Follow Jeff on Twitter: @jeffdiamondNFL.
