Former Vikings Mascot Dons Cheesehead Before Border Battle

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Ragnar, the former Vikings mascot who used to appear at home games wearing a horned helmet, donned another piece of headwear ahead of Sunday's division-title-deciding game at Lambeau Field – a cheesehead.

On the Fox Sports pregame show Sunday, the former mascot was seen in a video walking through snowy northern woods and opening a present from "the Packers organization." Inside was a yellow foam wedge shaped like cheese, the kind Packers fans wear on their heads with pride.

Ragnar, whose real name is Joe Juranitch, tries on the cheesehead and says, "Kinda got a nice feel to it." He then walks away, uttering the cheesehead cheer, "Go Pack go."

Randy Moss, a former Vikings star wide receiver and a panelist on Fox's show, immediately called out the former mascot.

"I'm not liking that, Ragnar!" Moss said. "You've been with the Vikes...You don't put that cheesehead on and walk through the woods!"

Juranitch was the Vikings' bearded, fur-clad mascot for 21 years before his contract expired before the start of this season. He had asked the Vikings for a significant raise: $20,000 a game up from $1,500 a game.

After he was cut from the Vikings, Juranitch tried to launch an online petition to save his job.

Following Sunday's video, the reaction on social media was mixed. Some Packers fans welcomed Ragnar while others derided him as the mascot embodiment of a fair-weather fan. Vikings fans appeared to either cut ties with their former, disgruntled mascot or shrug their shoulders.

In:
• Green Bay
• NFL Playoffs
• Lambeau Field