Vikings – Page 2 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Max Brosmer Makes a Positive Out of Seahawk Performance

Posted on August 11, 2026August 11, 2026 by David Shama

Max Brosmer, the Vikings second-year quarterback, may lead the QB roster in playing time on Saturday when the team opens its preseason schedule on the road against the Giants.

All four of the team’s quarterbacks could see the field, but perhaps only briefly for Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy. Head coach Kevin O’Connell is in the process of choosing between the two as his regular season starter.

Veteran Carson Wentz, 33, is the presumed backup to Murray and McCarthy. That leaves Brosmer, signed as an undrafted rookie free agent last year, trying to make a QB roster that appears already settled.

O’Connell is a fan of the 2024 Golden Gophers starter. “…Might not have more than one interception in camp. Limited reps but he’s been really good,” O’Connell said Sunday.

NFL teams usually carry three quarterbacks on their final rosters. The mindset for KOC this summer may be that he wants to put his 25-year-old QB on the practice squad but to do so Brosmer would have to clear waivers with 31 other organizations.

And that’s pretty iffy, despite a challenging rookie season for Brosmer.

Former Gopher QB Max Brosmer — Max Brosmer photo courtesy of University of Minnesota

He played in seven regular season games and started two. He threw four interceptions and no touchdown passes. His subpar quarterback rating of 53 spoke to the difficulty of his rookie season.

His first start came against the Seahawks, a 26-0 road loss. He threw four interceptions and was sacked four times. He finished the game with a 32.8 rating.

Brosmer knew the game plan but wasn’t prepared for the moments. He rushed his reads and threw a bit too quickly trying to complete passes.

Processing too fast, forcing the ball and rushing decisions under pressure is not unusual for a rookie quarterback, but that doesn’t change the emotions of a difficult experience. Brosmer said it took a few weeks to “flush” his thoughts about the Seahawk game.

Brosmer told Sports Headliners he took a positive learning approach about the game. “You can either decide to look at that as ‘Woe is me. This is a terrible situation.’

‘Or hey, this is the best thing that ever happened to me.’

“And that’s my mindset about it.”

Brosmer is a savant when it comes to attitude and work ethic. He said he is an improved player because of having more time in the offensive system.

Wentz has helped him grow. The two are often on the same practice field and he watches how Wentz calls plays, does things in the huddle and causes defenders to move around. “It’s been really cool. I’ve been doing my best to apply that and it’s going to help me a lot.”

Brosmer isn’t in an ideal situation as he tries to extend his time with the Vikings. But he’s committed to all the physical and mental effort while enjoying the process “because that’s what I love.’

Worth Noting

Two predictions on subjects that interest Vikings fans the most:

Murray, the 29-year-old veteran of seven prior NFL seasons, will be named the No. 1 quarterback in 14 days or less.

Safety Harrison Smith, 37, will not join the Vikings in training camp and won’t play this season.

The Vikings-Giants game, with a noon start Minneapolis time, will be telecast in this market by FOX 9.

Capital Club founder Patrick Klinger has lined up MSHSL executive director Erich Martens and acclaimed Eden Prairie educator and football coach Mike Grant to speak about the state of youth sports at Mendakota Country Club on August 20. For more information about the breakfast club gathering, contact Patrick Klinger, patrick@agilemarketingco.com.

John Anderson, the beloved former Golden Gophers baseball coach who passed away last month, was so admired by University of Minnesota boosters that some thought he would be a terrific athletics director.

Minnesota’s Mark Coyle and P.J.Fleck, working together since 2017, are the longest tenured athletics director and head football coach duo in the 18 member Big Ten Conference.

In two series this season, the Brewers won four times against the Twins, with Milwaukee earning each of its victories by one run.

Tim Murray, the longtime Murray’s Restaurant advertiser with Sports Headliners, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch at Target Field on August 18 before the Twins and Braves game in celebration of his establishment’s 80-year anniversary.

Minnesota baseball hall of famer Paul Molitor turns 70 on August 22. Former Gophers women’s basketball coach Pam Borton will be 61 on the same day.

Retired Star Tribune sports columnist Jim Souhan has relocated to Hilton Head, South Carolina.

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These Vikings Deserve Fandom’s Accolades & Appreciation

Posted on July 28, 2026July 28, 2026 by David Shama

The Vikings have a game for the ages on Friday, September 18.

What?

The Minnesota Vikings’ schedule has them in Chicago September 20 for an NFC North Division game against the Bears.

We’re talking about the Minneota High School Vikings. And the good folks in the small southwestern Minnesota town of Minneota have a circle it date on the calendar for September 18.

Minneota has a citizenry of about 1,500 people, with the farm community’s population similar in size to the number of tailgaters outside US Bank Stadium at 6 a.m. on Vikings gameday. The football public in this state is more than aware where the Purple play on September 20, but folks ought to pay attention to what’s happening in Minneota two days prior.

It’s a compelling story about the town and the school with a grades 7-12 enrollment of approximately 300 students.

On that late summer evening the high school Vikings will host the Canby Lancers in a game that will be the talk of the town. The Vikings carry a 46-game win streak into the season and could set a school record on a night of celebration that includes honoring the legendary Gerhard Meidt. It was Meidt’s Minneota teams from 1986-1989 that won 48 consecutive games and set at that time a new state record for prep football in Minnesota.

Gerhard Meidt Stadium in Minneota — Minneota’s renamed stadiuim (photo submitted by Chris Meidt)

This coming season K.P. Kompelien Field becomes Gerhard Meidt Stadium. Dedication ceremonies on the evening of September 18 will also include celebrations of a new stadium scoreboard, signage and lights.

If that weren’t enough, the Lancers are a rivalry team and it’s Minneota’s Homecoming Game. There will even be fireworks on the big night.

“…We’ll do the whole deal,” said Chris Meidt. “It’ll be a great, great event.”

Chris played quarterback for his dad in the 1980s. Last year he attended a game celebrating the 40^th anniversary of the 1985 team that was the school’s first playoff group. The scoreboard malfunctioned in the second quarter and that embarrassment turned out to be a community changing moment.

Chris had a successful run as St. Olaf football coach, and his football resume also includes two seasons (2008 and 2009) as an offensive assistant coach with the NFL Washington Redskins. Now he’s president and CEO of North Risk Partners, a privately owned independent insurance brokerage and risk management firm headquartered in Minnesota. He understands finances and folks in Minneota turned to him to raise money for much of what the town will celebrate on September 18.

Challenge accepted. “I created a committee of one. I was the committee,” Chris said.

In a period of six months $500,000 was raised in donations. The money came almost entirely from Miinneota citizenry. About a dozen families pitched in for a fundraising effort Chris calls a “fun year” that included hearing stories about how Gerhard impacted the lives of people in the community.

It was an expression, too, of how proud donors are of Minneota. And beyond individuals, Chris said it was a “team effort” that also included help from the city and school district.

Gerhard passed away at age 88 in June of last year. What would he think of what’s going on now?

Chris said: “He would tell me, ‘What are you thinking? Why would you do this?’

“…But he passed away. So, he lost his vote. …”

Gerhard, known to many as Gary, arrived in Minneota in 1981 with wife Karen and his children. His background included a wonderful run of football success at Rothsay where his 1972 team won the first ever nine-man state championship. He moved on from Rothsay to Lyle where he was superintendent of schools.

In Minneota he was school superintendent, football coach and choir director. “He was an interesting guy,” Chris said, speaking for a legion of admirers. “He was a renaissance man probably a little bit before his time. But he did it all.

“He was a music major. He was a math teacher. He got his administrative degree. He loved football, loved the tactical side of it.

“He was ultimately just a team guy. He was all about creating team. Didn’t matter if it was music, band, (or) football. He wanted to collaborate together, cheer each other on. That’s what he instilled.”

It wasn’t just the “plug and play” youth that Gerhard cared about. The students who had what Chris referred to as an “edge” about them were not going to be left out of activities and attention if Gerhard could make a difference.

An educator to the core, he was diligent about finding a role for everyone to play and be successful at. “He never wrote anyone off. Ever,” Chris said.

One of his mantras was: “If you don’t love each other, you can’t win together.”

Chris played quarterback for his dad from 1984-1987. He was a prolific passer who once held the state caree record of 8,533 yards. His 1986 and 1987 teams won state Class C championships.

Minneota Athletic High School Hall of Famers Chris and Gerhard Meidt (photo submitted by Chris Meidt)

As quarterback, Chris was allowed to call his own plays, a demonstration of the commitment his father had in developing decision making and leadership in young people.“He just believed you coach them hard during the week and Fridays were for celebrating and letting the kids run the game,” Chris recalled.

Ron Stolski, the retired Brainerd football coaching legend and still the longtime executive director of the Minnesota Football Coaches Association, first met Gerhard in 1962. Ron followed and admired Gerhard’s career that had multiple stops.

“As a coach, he was very direct, well organized and demanded discipline,” Ron told Sports Headliners via email. “Traits he carried throughout his outstanding career. …

“It was in Minneota that he realized his greatest success. He was a change agent, an innovator who coached and introduced a multiple formations passing game featuring motion and spread formations that literally changed and affected the high school football landscape in Minnesota.”

Chris and his father are both in the Minneota Athletic High School Hall of Fame. This year a bust of Gerhard will be placed in the Hall of Fame as part of the grand celebration of their famed educator and coach. Gerhard was inducted into the Minnesota Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1999.

As for the 2026 Vikings, they’re coming off four consecutive Class 1 A state titles. Chris said good players were lost through graduation, but this year’s Vikings will be “formidable.”

The head coach is Chad Johnston. “He’s amazing. A wonderful man,” Chris said.

Johnston also led the Vikings to state titles in 2009, 2014, 2015 and 2017. “(Gerhard Meidt) was the guy that changed everything in Minneota football and it was his program,” Johnston told John Millea in a Minnesota State High School League story in December of 2022.

“There are shadows of what was done here before, and I think that’s what drives us,” Johnston said in the article. “And a lot of these kids have parents who have played in the Prep Bowl. That tradition means a lot to me, to be able to say that there has been no downslide in this program since the ‘80s. The kids have worked hard to keep us on the map and the credit goes to the kids, it really does.”

Gerhard, who won three Class C state titles at Minneota from 1986-88, had a head coaching record of 236-79 in 32 years at Rothsay, Minneota and Big Lake where he also coached after leaving the Vikings. He and wife Karen were married for 65 years and he was a proud father and grandparent.

He would be humbled and would no doubt deflect praise if present on September 18.

Skol!

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Smith’s Vikings Decision May Come in About 3 Weeks

Posted on July 22, 2026July 22, 2026 by David Shama

With the Vikings opening training camp in a few days, the Harrison Smith watch will prompt even more attention from fans and media. Will the 37-year-old safety and 14-year-veteran play another season in Minneapolis?

Smith and the Vikings leadership have been quiet about his future. A former leader with NFL front offices who knows about Smith and Viking head coach Kevin O’Connell spoke to Sports Headliners about the situation.

While acknowledging he doesn’t know if Smith will retire or join the team in training camp, he believes both Smith and O’Connell know what the decision is. “They’re just not saying,” the source said.

“…I suspect he’ll come back for one more year, but it wouldn’t surprise me either way,” he added.

The source believes if there is a return, Smith will be back in time for the two joint practices with the Ravens August 19 and 20. The Vikings will host the Ravens for scrimmages at TCO Performance Center, prior to their August 22 preseason home game against the Baltimore-based team.

Those practices are important to Minnesota’s preparation for the regular season and the authority referred to them as a “tipping point” during training camp.

The authority, who personally hopes Smith will play at least another season, said it’s clear to him that the Vikings want the six-time Pro Bowler to return, and that despite his age the veteran is still more than capable of playing at a high level. “I think they need him back. I think they’re a little thin at quality safeties.”

Smith is still athletic and able to run with younger rivals. Those skills haven’t deserted him like others who are moving toward their late 30’s.

And then there’s Smith’s high IQ for the game. He’s a defensive professor on the field knowing where to line up and getting his teammates adjusted if necessary. He can jump around and move before the snap, confusing and discombobulating quarterbacks. He’s a football encyclopedia with his knowledge of tendencies and rival players.

Smith may decide he’s still too interested and healthy to retire from the game he enjoys so much. The source wouldn’t rule out even another season in 2027.

“Hard to say. Probably but maybe not. If he plays healthy, stays healthy, I could see him continuing. I know he loves the game and I know he loves O’Connell and (defensive coordinator Brian) Flores.”

If retirement is the decision the factors could start with family. Smith is married with small children. He may decide he’s had a healthy and fulfilling career, and it’s just time to retire.

“He’s definitely a Hall of Famer,” the source said.

Worth Noting

NBA teams often build their rosters to compete with high impact individuals on other clubs who are championship caliber. And now there is a pattern going on in the Western Conference:

Monster talented Victor Wembanyama, 7-4 and 22 years old, has the attention of rivals with a window that has him as a possible league MVP annually and his Spurs team in the hunt for an NBA championship each year.

The 2025 NBA champion Thunder counter with Minneapolis native Chet Holmgren who is 7-1 and 24 years old. And in this year’s NBA Draft it looked like anti-Wemby strategy adding 7-3 Aday Mara who is 21.

The Lakers are rebuilding their roster including with the addition of 7-2 Walker Kessler, also 24. He was drafted by the Timberwolves in 2022, and was part of the trade that brought Rudy Gobert to Minneapolis. Gobert, 34, is 7-1 and is an annual contender for Defensive Player of the Year.

Now the Wolves could be grooming 7-3, 20-year-old center Rocco Zikarsky as a “Wemby Weapon.” The Bulls took him in the second round of the 2025 draft, then traded him to the Wolves where he played in five games last season. The Australian native averaged 2.8 points and 2.8 rebounds.

Arlene and Dick Jonckowski in their sports memorabilia-filled basement.

Minnesota funnyman and legendary public address announcer Dick Jonckowski celebrated his 60^th wedding anniversary with wife Arlene earlier this year. “The Polish Eagle” told Arlene they should get married in a bathtub and have a “double ring ceremony.”

Jonckowski, who turns 83 in October, treasures a lot of memories including the PA work at the first game played at Target Field when the Golden Gophers hosted Texas Tech before the Twins opened the new stadium. At Met Center he was once a last-minute replacement for the Harlem Globetrotters PA voice who was ill.

The other day Jonckowski recalled that famous St. Paul newspaper sportswriter Don Riley struggled remembering names, but recognized faces. His go to introduction with two people who were strangers was this: “Tiger, meet Ace. Ace, meet Tiger.”

There’s ongoing local interest in securing a National Women’s Soccer League team for Minneapolis-St. Paul. Craig Leipold has ownership not only in the Wild but is the principal investor in the new Minnesota volleyball team that debuts next year in Major League Volleyball, and he has a stake in the Twins.

Leipold is on record about this being an attractive time to buy sports franchises. Interested in a Minnesota NWSL franchise?

“I would never say never, but its never been presented to me,” Leipold told Sports Headliners. “So, I haven’t really thought much of it. So, I’d have to see what the opportunity is.”

Sunshine and warm temperatures figure to allow the 3M Open July 20-26 to go on without interruption at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler makes his 3M debut and will draw ticket buyers. Kurt Kitayama, 2025 winner, tries to become the first player to win back-to-back in the eight-year history of the 3M.

Nobody in the local media is more associated with golf than KFAN afternoon radio host Dan Cole. “The Common Man” is not only an avid player and reporter but also was declared long ago by Minnesota governor Jesse Ventura as the state’s ambassador of golf.

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