Inside The Vikings

Vikings Unveil Fran Tarkenton-Era Classic Throwback Uniforms

In 2023, the Vikings will wear throwback jerseys for the first time in over a decade.
Will Ragatz|
Vikings Unveil Fran Tarkenton-Era Classic Throwback Uniforms
Vikings Unveil Fran Tarkenton-Era Classic Throwback Uniforms

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Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings have throwback uniforms again.

During a virtual season ticket member event on Tuesday, the team announced and unveiled a new uniform that's a throwback to the late 1960s, early 1970s Vikings — the "Purple People Eaters" era. They're calling it "The Vikings Classic" uniform. They'll be wearing them during the season opener at U.S. Bank Stadium against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on September 10th.

The jerseys may not look drastically different, but there are quite a few details that stand out. The purple color is a bit different, the gold trim and style accents honor the franchise's jerseys from that era, and even the helmets and pants have some distinctive details. The number lettering is also different.

The Vikings haven't worn throwback jerseys in over a decade. In 2013, the NFL mandated that teams wear only one helmet for safety reasons, but they dropped that rule in 2022 after conducting additional research. That paved the way for the Vikings to release this new uniform, which features a different helmet.

The first season of Vikings football took place in 1961. From 1968 to 1980, the franchise won the NFC Central 11 times and made four trips to the Super Bowl, led by several iconic Hall of Fame players.

These uniforms pay tribute to that era. It's going to be great to see them in action in Week 1.

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Will Ragatz
WILL RAGATZ

Will Ragatz is a senior writer for Vikings On SI, who also covers the Twins, Timberwolves, Gophers, and other Minnesota teams. He is a credentialed Minnesota Vikings beat reporter, covering the team extensively at practices, games and throughout the NFL draft and free agency period. Ragatz attended Northwestern University, where he studied at the prestigious Medill School of Journalism. During his time as a student, he covered Northwestern Wildcats football and basketball for SB Nation’s Inside NU, eventually serving as co-editor-in-chief in his junior year. In the fall of 2018, Will interned in Sports Illustrated’s newsroom in New York City, where he wrote articles on Major League Baseball, college football, and college basketball for SI.com.

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