New Vikings’ quarterbackSage Rosenfels grew up in Maquoketa, a small town in eastern Iowa. He won letters in high school competing in football, basketball, baseball, track and tennis before playing quarterback at Iowa State.
Rosenfels said on Friday that he was more of a college than pro fan growing up, although he did follow the Vikings, Packers, Lions and Bears in the “black and blue division.” He said the family watched TV on a 12 inch black and white set that received four stations.
Metropolitan Sports Facilities executive director Bill Lester used the word “daunting” while talking about the likelihood of a stadium bill for the Vikings during this legislative session. He told Sports Headliners, though, that with the franchise’s use agreement at the Metrodome ending in 2011 there is no other option but to push the issue despite the recession and the state’s budget problems.
“We have to at least engage in a conversation. …We have to make a decision,” Lester said. “Do we want to live in a state that does not have a professional (football) team (and) does not have a multipurpose venue? …Having the Vikings allows you to have the facility. Having the facility allows you to maximize the return for the rest of Minnesota, high school, amateur (sports), etc.”
Popular Pioneer Press columnist Charley Walters has been vacationing out of the country and hasn’t written since February 9.