Fans Fly To See Vikings Face Giants In Detroit
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- During Saturday's blizzard, Vikings fans eyed the skies with uncertainty until the call was made that the New York Giants wouldn't be flying into Minneapolis in time for Sunday's game. Then, in a metaphor for deflating spirits, snow collapsed the roof of the Metrodome.
But one fan's roof collapse becomes another's opportunity. Nearly 700 fans flew Sun Country's charters to get to the game in Detroit. The $250 deal came with guaranteed free seats at the game and hopefully, a flight back by midnight.
It looks like they're going to have a blast. Vikings cheerleaders took the flight, along with Ragnar, the mascot.
"Those that are on my flight, they won't forget it," said the man who plays Ragnar, Joe Juranitch. "We're going to have a good time."
Fans on the flight agreed.
"Diehard. Loud," said season ticket holder David Flowers. "Going to have to turn around, pump everybody up, get it going. Definitely."
It turns out, they were really hot tickets. Fans stood in line for the freebies in Detroit, and once they were gone, scalpers reportedly sold them for as much $75.
At the Minneapolis-St. Paul International airport, there were various versions of purple and gold and every number on the roster waiting to board the flight. Even a few Giants fans, like Deana Whittman and her fiancé.
"My fiancé is a huge Giants fan," she said. "So we've been to a lot of the games and we had tickets for this game and so yesterday when the charter came up we were like, 'We're out of here, we're going, we want to see the Giants this year.' So if it takes us going to Detroit, that's where we're going.'"
There was even a representative from WCCO-TV, though she had been scheduled to work that day.
"I saw the deal for Sun Country," said reporter Rachel Slavik. "I asked the bosses for the day off, and they said OK."
WCCO-TV's Mark Rosen Reports
