The Vikings (8-5) will host the Bears (5-8) on Sunday at the University of Minnesota.
BROADCAST COVERAGE
National Television: FOX9
Play-by-Play:Kevin Burkhardt Analyst:John Lynch
Sideline:Pam Oliver
Kickoff: Noon CT
Local Radio: KFAN-FM 100.3/KTLK-AM 1130
Play-by-Play:Paul Allen Analyst:Pete Bercich
Sideline Reporter:Greg Coleman
Pre-Game Show:Mike Mussman – 10 a.m. CT
• National Anthem: Marc Roberge of O.A.R. | Roberge is a songwriter/producer and lead vocalist for the American rock band O.A.R. With 13 albums, a string of Madison Square Garden sellouts, USO trips to Iraq and Kuwait, millions of albums sold, and shows around the world, Roberge and O.A.R. continue to cover new ground creatively.
• Gjallarhorn: Sid Hartman, The Star Tribune | Raised in North Minneapolis, Hartman began delivering papers for the Minneapolis Tribune in high school. Hartman received no formal writing training but penned his first column for the Minneapolis Daily Times on Sept. 11, 1945, and continues to report for the Minneapolis Star Tribune today. A widely read sports columnist and regular sportscaster and commentator for WCCO Radio, Hartman is well-recognized around the Minnesota sports scene.
• Halftime: Mascot Game | The Mounds View Youth Football Program will have a chance to compete against a team of mascots during halftime. This year's mascots include the following:
• Goldy Gopher, University of Minnesota
• T-Rac, Tennessee Titans
• Crunch, Minnesota Timberwolves
• Blazin' Bill, Buffalo Wild Wings
• Viktor, Minnesota Vikings
• The Nacho Man, Parts Unknown
• Freddy Falcon, Atlanta Falcons
• Nordy, Minnesota Wild
• Prowl, Minnesota Lynx
• TC Bear, Minnesota Twins
• Heart of a Viking: Eric Pelant | The Vikings and University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospitals honor one courageous individual at every home game. Since he was an infant, Pelant has overcome multiple obstacles. Pelant is currently a defensive lineman for St. John's University.
• Honorary Captain: Former Vikings QB Joe Kapp | The Vikings are proud to recognize Joe Kapp, who quarterbacked the Vikings to the 1969 NFL Championship and the team's first Super Bowl appearance in Super Bowl IV. Kapp is the only quarterback to play in the Super Bowl, Rose Bowl and Grey Cup. He originally joined the Vikings in 1967 after playing his first eight seasons in the Canadian Football League.
• Welcome Back Vikings Legend Robert Smith | Former first-round pick Robert Smith is scheduled to return to Minnesota to attend Sunday's game and support his former team against Chicago. In eight NFL seasons, Smith rushed for 6,818 yards and 32 touchdowns, along with 178 receptions for 1,292 yards and 6 touchdowns. Smith is the second leading rusher in Vikings' history and is currently an ESPN college football analyst.
• Vikings Community Captains | The Community Captain award recognizes outstanding varsity high school football student-athletes around the state of Minnesota that demonstrate strong leadership on and off the field. Each student-athlete honored will receive a $1,000 grant to donate to a charity of his choice. This year's honorees are below:
Zach Behnke, Sr. at Humboldt High (St Paul) Donation to Westside Boosters Youth Football Program
Alex Meidt, Sr. at Becker High Donation to Becker High FCA
Andrew Haldeman, Sr. at St Paul Harding Donating to Children's Hospital
Malik Lofton, Jr. at Hopkins High Donating to Links To Learning
Cameron Lessner, Sr. at Coon Rapids High Donating to Make-A-Wish
Giovanni Green, Fr. at Edison High Donating to The Next Level Foundation
William Bean, Jr. at The Blake School Donating to the Alzheimer's Association
Corey Dixon, Sr. at Patrick Henry High (MSP) Donation to Hopewell Music Cooperative
• The Salvation Army | The Salvation Army serves 186,000 people every year in the Twin Cities. This includes providing 1,200 hot meals each day and a safe place for 900 people to sleep each day. The Salvation Army will be accepting red kettle donations outside the stadium before the game.
