VikingsTailgate.com- Korey Stringer Death of Purple Warrior

Friday, 07/30/2010

Shocked By The Death Of A Purple Warrior

Mookie Anderson
8/2/2001

Right now the NFL, in my eyes, completely sucks. I don't know how to express this anymore except to write that I am completely and utterly overwhelmed with an emotional frustration of angst and mourning.

The death of my favorite NFL Player, Korey Stringer, of the Minnesota Vikings, has brought me to this unwanted conclusion. The NFL sucks because it took his life, and now all the co-workers in my office and fellow Viking fans are calling me, stopping by and e-mailing with their thoughts of mourning.

They all know that Korey was my favorite Viking. Heck, I boisterously professed that to the world several times last year, citing that he was the unsung hero, he was the reason that the Vikings were finally going to win the Super Bowl.

I entered and won an essay contest sponsored by the Minneapolis Star & Tribune, which asked readers to submit their choice for the Vikings team MVP of '00 and to justify their answers in no more than one paragraph. Naturally, I choose Korey Stringer, submitting this entry:

"Korey Stringer! I am big into watching the REAL GAME in the trenches and have just marveled this year at the run blocking, pass blocking and pulling ability of Stringer, especially on the short screen passes. Although the rest of world follows the ball and sees Daunte Culpepper dumping off a short pass to Robert Smith who then runs with ease to end zone, I watch the Big Uglies set up the play. In Y2K Stringer has been absolutely amazing and deserves the recognition that the big stars always get. I don't think we'd be hearing all the talk about Robert Smith for MVP if it weren't for his fellow teammate from Ohio State."

The Vikings most have scored 5 touchdowns in '00 on that little dumpy screen pass to Robert Smith. In every one of those touchdowns, you could see Stringer pulling from his tackle position to go out and level and unsuspecting defender.

I remember in one game at the Metrodome, from our seats way up in Section 205, I saw Daunte Culpepper setting up the play action while Stringer was pulling, and Smith was heading to the right part of sidelines. I was able to identify the upcoming screen pass just by watching Korey, and I immediately stood up and started cheering, "They(Carolina's Defense) bit! This is six! Going to be a Touchdown! That side of the field is wide open!" The words had no sooner left my lips before Smith caught the ball and was set free for a long TD run. Soon the entire Dome was standing and I was calling for Korey's props.

"Did you see that screen play? That wasn't Robert Smith's TD, that was MY boy Korey pulling and smashing anyone who got in his way. Look at the replay. LOOK AT IT! Korey destroyed that guy!"

Undoubtedly, they would watch the replay and indeed see Mr. Stringer doing his job. As a matter of fact, he did his job so well that he was rewarded a trip to the NFL Pro Bowl in Hawaii at the end of the season.

I was there in Hawaii too. I saw Stringer at the NFC practice, laughing it up with teammate Matt Birk and former teammate Randall McDaniel. It seemed like he was having a great time, full of life, full of promise. Undoubtedly, NFL stardom was his future. He was only 27-years old and was already considered to be one of the best in the business.

But that's all over now. The NFL sucks today, because the life of a great player, an up and comer was taken away on the practice field in overwhelming heat as he tried to prove his worth as football player. As I sit at my desk staring at my computer screen, I see e-mails from my friends popping up on my screen, I answer phone calls from friends, and co-workers stop by to offer me their sincerest condolences. They know that Korey was my Viking and they shared their thoughts with me..

Man, the news caught me by surprise this morning when I woke up! I think the trainers and ultimately the organization is going to get sued."If Red is a stand-up guy he will offer to pay the remainder of Korey's contract to his widow as due compensation.", and "I heard Duante broke down at the press conference."

"Just calling because I know that this loss effects every one in the Purple Nation, especially you because he was your favorite Viking."

"I can't believe that. The Vikes suck! How do they not see that Stringer needs to stop? I don't know what to say, I am in complete shock!!!"

"I was thinking about you and remembering talking about Korey Stringer with at the Valley. I am in SHOCK!!!"

"It's a sad day in Vikings country. I woke up to the alarm clock at 6:30 talking about the memory of Korey. I was just in total shock and sick to my stomach. The radio has been non-stop today. I was on early this morning. The news conference was unlike anything I've seen before. When Randy Moss broke down sobbing I think everyone lost it. It's so terrible."

The NFL Sucks today!