​Today, officially, marks a day I honestly never thought I’d see. Twenty years ago today, I published the very first post on this site—the one that launched this entire journey. Back then my hair wasn’t gray, my fingers didn’t ache with arthritis, and my outlook wasn’t as clouded with cynicism as it has become. The cynicism was there, just not in the same quantity. It tends to grow the longer you stay immersed in all of this, as we’ve learned along the way.
The Minnesota Vikings have traveled a long road since the good folks at SB Nation handed me the keys here. We’ve seen four different head coaches, three different stadiums, more quarterbacks than you can count on two hands, and fewer playoff wins than you might expect. There have been a stadium roof collapse, late-night debates in the Minnesota legislature over stadium policies, and countless other moments that blur together after twenty years.
Personally, I’ve navigated this journey through two different careers, across multiple states, countries, and continents, across countless time zones, and through all the miscellaneous chaos life has thrown my way. There have been podcasts, radio interviews, occasional live streams, and a handful of other moments all in service of delivering the best possible coverage of our beloved football team—the coverage this fan base deserves.
Over the past two decades I’ve been fortunate to work with a host of people who have contributed in meaningful ways to this site, many of whom are far smarter than I am. (I’ll let that joke land where you will.) Some have stayed a short while, some for multiple years, and some continue to contribute today. If you’re reading this—whether you’re a current contributor to The Daily Norseman or you’ve been one in the past—thank you for what you’ve brought to the site. We’ve welcomed a wide range of voices and perspectives over the years, and every one of them has been valued and instrumental in keeping this site going, shaping what it’s become over two decades.
Most of all, I want to thank everyone who makes The Daily Norseman a part of their Vikings experience. Whether you’ve been with us from the start or you joined more recently, thank you for choosing that what we offer matters enough to broaden your perspective and deepen your knowledge of our favorite squad. Without all of you showing up in whatever capacity you do, there is no Daily Norseman. I know that sounds cliché, but it’s true in a world where even the best intentions need the loyal readers and contributors to keep the lights on.