Trade
The Vikings agree to terms on a trade with the Bills. The Vikings will send Cassel and a draft pick to the Bills in exchange for two undisclosed draft picks. The deal clears $4.75 million in cap space for the Vikings.
Reinstated by Vikings
Peterson is reinstated by the Minnesota Vikings after sitting out Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots. Vikings owners Zygi and Mark Wilf say they will wait to see how the legal system deals with Peterson’s child abuse charges before making a decision on his future with the team. The Wilf’s statement:
To be clear, we take very seriously any matter that involves the welfare of a child. At this time, however, we believe this is a matter of due process and we should allow the legal system to proceed so we can come to the most effective conclusions and then determine the appropriate course of action. This is a difficult path to navigate, and our focus is on doing the right thing.
Super Bowl XI: Oakland 32-14 Minnesota
The Raiders win their first NFL championship before a record Super Bowl crowd plus 81 million television viewers, the largest audience ever to watch a sporting event. Running back Clarence Davis’s 137 rushing yards help the Raiders gain 429 yards – a new record.
Super Bowl IX: Pittsburgh 16-6 Minnesota
AFC champion Pittsburgh, in its initial Super Bowl appearance, and NFC champion Minnesota, making a third bid for its first Super Bowl title, struggle through a first half in which the only score is produced by the Steelers’ defense when Dwight White downs Vikings’ quarterback Fran Tarkenton in the end zone for a safety 7:49 into the second period. Pittsburgh’s defense permits Minnesota only 119 yards total offense, including a Super Bowl low of 17 rushing yards. The Steelers, meanwhile, gain 333 yards, including Harris’s record 158 yards on 34 carries.
Super Bowl IV: Kansas City 23-7 Minnesota
The AFL ties the Super Bowl at two games apiece with the NFL with Kansas, building a 16-0 halftime lead. Dawson, the fourth consecutive quarterback to be chosen the Super Bowl’s top player, plays an almost flawless game, completing 12 of 17 passes and hitting Otis Taylor on a 46-yard play for the final Chiefs touchdown. The Kansas City defense limits Minnesota’s strong rushing game to 67 yards and has three interceptions and two fumble recoveries. The crowd of 80,562 sets a Super Bowl record, as do the gross receipts of $3,817,872.69.
