Star Tribune · Sep 30, 2018
Pregame rituals a must for some Vikings, not others
Call it superstition. A ritual. A routine, or whatever else you like. All Stephen Weatherly knows is it’s an absolute must on game day.
“As soon as I come out of the tunnel right before the game, I run to the opposite 25-yard line,” the Vikings defensive end said. “I kneel down and I say the Lord’s Prayer. Then I go down to the end zone, right next to the right pylon, and I write my mom’s and my grandma’s names in the end zone.”
After he’s written Carla and Dianna, Weatherly goes to his usual spot on the sideline for the national anthem.
“And then,” he said, “I’m ready to play some ball.”
