Any Minnesota Vikings fan knows the taste of defeat and feeling of disappointment all too well. Year after year, football season after football season, Vikings fans have endured many losses and few wins for their purple-and-gold team. In fact, the last time the Vikings even set foot on the turf of a Superbowl game field was in the year of 1977, and they took a bitter loss to the heart, falling 32 to 14 to the Oakland Raiders. Fast-forward to now, 39 years later, and the dry, unlucky spell for the Vikings has remained continuous, much to fans’ and players' displeasure. This, of course, begs the question: how do the Vikings maintain such a passionate and large following of die-hard fans? And more importantly, why do these fans faithfully support such a historically losing team?

I can’t speak for every Vikings fan out there, but I can tell you why I will never cease to support my Minnesota Vikings (and I can assure you, it is not simply because I think purple and gold look good with my complexion), no matter how they perform each time a new football season rolls around.

Foremost, the Vikings are a piece of my home; therefore, they are a piece of me. I’ve lived in the beautiful state of Minnesota for the majority of my life and I still consider it my home. The people of Minnesota truly are “Minnesota-nice” with their friendly smiles and helpful dispositions. In addition, the natural beauty that decorates the state of Minnesota, from the sapphire blue lakes to the vast, evergreen forests, is positively gorgeous. I wouldn’t trade my upbringing in a small town nestled into a corner of what I am proud to say is my home state (and always will be) for the world. Along with that pride I have for my home state, comes the pride I have for my home state’s football team. I’m proud of where I come from; how could I possibly not be proud of the team that comes from the same place?

Secondly, I will always support the Vikings because I don’t believe in jumping ships when the waves are rough. Maybe the Vikings haven’t done well in a long time; so what? Maybe this season will be the season that changes; who knows? When a person simply jumps on the bandwagon and is a “fan” of a team that is suddenly doing well at the moment, it frustrates me. They are not actually supporting that team because they are genuinely a fan of it; they are supporting that team because they want to be part of the “winning” club. They don’t understand the value of loyalty and they will never know the rewarding feeling of watching a team you’ve followed through all the rough patches and countless dry spells go on to succeed and improve over time.

Lastly, I will always support the Vikings because the Vikings are more than just an NFL team and fanbase; they are a family. Vikings fans compose one of the most dedicated, optimistic, and united masses of people I’ve ever known. Vikings fans stick with their team through thick and thin and they stand by their fellow fans with painted faces (and sometimes the less eye-appealing hairy, exposed, beer bellies), singing “Purple and Gold” by Prince with every ounce of air in their diaphragms, and screaming “SKOL” at the tops of their lungs… and they do all of this in -10 degree weather, my friends.

As far as I’m concerned, being a Vikings fan isn’t a burden and it isn’t something I’m ever going to be ashamed of. Being a true Minnesota Vikings fan is an honor, and it’s an honor that is not to be taken lightly. A true Vikings fan knows that loyalty, above all else, to one’s home team is essential. Whether a winning or losing season, a true Vikings fan will always wear his or her purple and gold proudly.