Record 3–11–0 Playoff finish did not qualify Head coach Norm Van Brocklin Home field Metropolitan Stadium | Division place 7th NFL Western Start date 1961 General manager Bert Rose | |
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The 1961 Minnesota Vikings season was the first year of season play for the expansion franchise and the 42nd regular season of the National Football League. The Vikings finished with a record of three wins and eleven losses under head coach Norm Van Brocklin. The team's first ever regular season game was a victory against divisional rivals the Chicago Bears, 37–13. In that game, rookie quarterback Fran Tarkenton came off the bench to toss 4 touchdown passes and ran for another.
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The Vikings' defense surrendered 5.41 rushing yards-per-attempt in 1961, the fifth-most of all time.
Offseason
Although the NFL had no interest in expanding, after Max Winter and Bill Boyer agreed to start an American Football League franchise in Minnesota, the NFL approached them to change leagues. After they accepted to join the NFL for the 1961 season, the Minnesota group joined Ole Haugsrud in the new team's ownership group, with Haugsrud dubbing the team the Minnesota Vikings.
Week 1: vs. Chicago Bears
This was the first regular season game in Vikings history. George Shaw started the game at quarterback for the Vikings, but he was soon replaced by rookie quarterback Fran Tarkenton. Tarkenton threw four touchdown passes and ran for another as the Vikings won 37–13. They were the last expansion team to win their first game until the 2002 Houston Texans.
Standings
Note: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings until 1972.
Postseason
Both halfback Hugh McElhenny and receiver (end) Jerry Reichow were voted to the East-West Pro Bowl game, played January 14, 1962, at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The coach for the West squad was Vikings head coach Norm Van Brocklin. McElhenny scored a third-quarter touchdown on a ten-yard pass from West teammate Bart Starr, and the West won a close 31-30 contest.