Vikings-Packers Guide to Gameday Week 11

In a nod to the 2016 U.S. Bank Stadium opening, which featured a halftime performance by the Minnesota Orchestra, the Vikings partnered with the Minnesota Orchestra for the grand reopening. This offseason, keyboardist and former member of The New Power Generation Tommy Barbarella composed “Symphony of the North,” which was then conducted by world-renowned Music Director Osmo Vänskä and performed by the Grammy Award-winning Minnesota Orchestra for use in the Vikings pregame show. Vänskä is in his final year as music director in 2021-2022.

The piece is part of the new “Showtime” sequence that features new dramatic team introductions prefaced by Vikings Ring of Honor member Jim Marshall’s “Odin Story.” The ironman and longtime team captain who started a franchise-record 270 consecutive games will lead other Legends in a video.

Note: The Vikings strongly suggest fans try to make it to their seats by 11:45 a.m.

A quartet from the Air Force Band Singing Sergeants, the official chorus of the U.S. Air Force, will perform. The Singing Sergeants became the first military chorus to include women in 1973.

Color Guard & Full-Field American Flag

The colors will be presented by a Joint Services honor guard, and members of the Air Force, Army, Marines and Navy will unfurl and display a full-field American flag during the National Anthem.

Donald “Doc” E. Ballard, who served in the Navy and the National Guard, will sound the Gjallarhorn. While treating a group of Marines on May 16, 1968, in Vietnam, Ballard’s company came under fire and a grenade was thrown in their direction. Ballard covered the grenade, putting himself in harm’s way to protect others. The grenade did not explode, and Ballard returned to treating Marines. He was awarded a Congressional Medal of Honor on May 14, 1970.

Multiple generations of military members from Minnesota, including National Guard units who have recently returned and veterans of World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam War will be honored.

Signs of Support from Polaris

Today’s Vikings-Packers game is presented by Polaris, which is enabling fans to share messages of support for veterans and service members.

“I Salute … ” posters will be available Sunday at tables on concourses. Tables will be located near the Legacy Gates, the Verizon Gate, the escalator landing by the Skyway, and the Gold and Purple lobbies. Fans are encouraged to fill out a poster in honor of service members.

In continuing its history of recognizing those in the military, Polaris is proud to welcome the Boyle family to today’s game. The Boyle family epitomizes the tradition of military service.

Timothy retired from the Army Reserves in 2008 after 26 years of service. His sons, Michael and Matthew, are currently serving. Matthew is in the Army Reserves and has previously deployed to Afghanistan. Matthew is currently deployed with the Minnesota National Guard’s Task Force 1-194.

Miller Lite Soldier SpotLITE

Miller Lite is recognizing five brothers from Appleton, Minnesota, whose service in the Minnesota National Guard has spanned the past 43 years.

Col. Bruce Jensen enlisted in September 1978 and retired in December 2013 with 35 years and three months of service. Sgt. Maj. Brad Jensen (August 1980 – May 2018) served 37 years and nine months before retiring. Maj. Brian Jensen (January 1981-June 2011) served 30 years and five months before retiring. CWO-5 Brent Jensen enlisted in April 1985 and is still serving (36 years, seven months and counting). CWO-5 Kevin Jensen enlisted in October 1987 and is still serving after more than 34 years.

Crown Royal Purple Bag Project

The Purple Bag Project is an ongoing commitment by Crown Royal to provide care packages for our active American military heroes around the world. Fans can visit the Medtronic Club from pre-game through halftime to join them in their mission by sending branded purple bags and personalized notes to those currently serving.

Sleep Number, the Vikings and Eric Kendricks teamed up this week to improve the quality of sleep for Brittany Otto, whose husband Jordan has been serving a yearlong deployment to Kuwait since April. The couple has a 5-month-old daughter that Jordan has not gotten to meet in person.

Sleep Number presented her with a king-sized Sleep Number 360 ® smart bed and FlexFit ™ 3 adjustable base, as well as temperature-balancing pillows and new bedding.

The Otto bedroom received a complete makeover from interior design specialists, as well. Kendricks was there for the reveal and surprise video call placed to Jordan.

Two Gold Star families who know the pain of losing soldiers and American heroes — husbands and fathers — were chosen for this year’s Hy-Vee Veterans Voyage.

They were invited to tour the Minnesota Vikings Museum with former linebacker and coach turned analyst Pete Bercich on Nov. 12 and to attend Sunday’s game.

Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer delivered the surprise news that the families will receive free groceries for a year from Hy-Vee.

DJ Skee returns with a set-list composed of players’ favorite warmup songs. The SkeeTV host, Dash radio founder and St. Paul native is widely considered a leading voice in the hip-hop community.

Jake Reed will be interviewed by Greg Coleman during a break in the action.

The following Vikings Legends plan to sign autographs from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Delta Sky 360° Club — Leo Lewis

Medtronic Club — Carl Hilton

FMP Club — Esera Tuaolo

Polaris Club — Erin Henderson

Little Six Club — Mistral Raymond

Mystic Lake Club Purple — Stu Voigt

Split the Pot for the Minnesota Vikings Foundation

Split the Pot is a new raffle program that will give one lucky game day winner a chance to share the jackpot with the Minnesota Vikings Foundation. Raffle tickets of one, 10, 70, 200 and 500 can be purchased, ranging in price from $5 – $100 with a debit card from sellers outside on the Plaza and in the Commons and inside U.S. Bank Stadium. Sales will end at the 2-minute warning of the fourth quarter, and the winner will be posted on the Vikings Table Twitter account and online by 5 p.m. Monday.

In-stadium kiosk locations are near Sections 101, 107, 113, 124, 136, 301, 314, 327 and 342.