Vikings Fan Spotlight: Brian Heintz
Lindsey Young
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Brian Heintz is no stranger to unforeseen challenges and obstacles in life. However, he is just as familiar with a determined, positive attitude. Maybe it’s the combination of these things that make Heintz such a well-suited and dedicated fan of the Minnesota Vikings.
Heintz grew up in Minnesota, a product of the East Side of St. Paul. He recalls his earliest memories involving the Vikings:
“My mom was always a big Vikings fan, and she got me into it,” he explained. “One of her many great parenting skills.”
In fact, the 29-year-old cannot remember a time when he wasn’t rooting for the team; at age five, he owned his first jersey—Tommy Kramer.
Years of memories surround the Vikings, but one stands out to Heintz as more special than the others: a year he attended the Vikings training camp with the Kansas City Chiefs in River Falls.
“As the players were loading onto team buses, Korey Stringer threw his glove out the window right at us. I got his glove and had Chris Walsh autograph it before they took off. RIP, Big K.”
Heintz experienced many great Vikings moments this season, as well. He attended eight games, and the Vikings won all but one of those contests. “Apparently, I should have gone to all of them,” he joked. Heintz went on to emphasize that the team’s final 7-8 record seemed pretty good, considering the challenges on offense.
“Leaving a few wins on the field is always tough,” he admitted, “but good for Teddy [Bridgewater] as far as situational football goes. Finally, a quarterback to invest in and get excited about that’s not [over the hill].”
(photo used with permission)
While he long ago outgrew the Kramer jersey, Heintz has quite the 2015 collection. If he wanted, he could represent a different player at every home game: Harrison Smith, Charles Johnson, Anthony Barr, Christian Ponder, Kyle Rudolph, Teddy Bridgewater and Greg Jennings.
Even with the large collection of respected players, an autographed No. 7 is the most important jersey to the superfan.
“I admire [Ponder] big time. More than just a football player—as a man. He is great—always a professional, took the time to sign my jersey, a great dad—all that stuff. I really look up to him, as far as conducting himself off the field. I’m not afraid to say it. People can love it or hate it. He is my favorite Viking.”
Demonstrated through his reflection on Ponder, Heintz views football, specifically the Vikings, as so much more than a game. It’s a positive focus. Something to believe in. A family.
The largest opponent Heintz has personally faced in his life came not on a field, but in a bottle. It was a difficult experience, but in the end he came away with the win. Over the past 2+ years, Heintz has kept a blog sharing his experience of achieving sobriety after struggling with alcoholism. He says it seems fitting that the last night he had a drink was at a Vikings game.
“It’s been a hell of a journey, but I wouldn’t change getting sober for anything,” Heintz said. “Adversity faces all of us, and the Vikings are no strangers to that. I know more than anyone else that adversity tests you, makes or breaks you. Families stick together, families rise up, families never give in.”
And just like sobriety has opened up an entirely new and exciting future for Heintz, he views the upcoming Vikings season as a blank slate, another year of opportunity.
“Year two of Zimmer. Another draft, another year of free agency. With the effort Zimmer got from the D this year, and when he gets all his guys at each position, the sky is the limit.”
Heintz said he would love to see a bold move, maybe a waiver on Josh Gordon. Although there has been a lot of buzz about Larry Fitzgerald and the possibility of the receiver coming to Minny, Heintz is one fan who isn’t too big on the idea.
“If veteran WR is a need, look no further than Greg Jennings,” he urged. “Great man, great teammate, great mentor.”
Heintz is outspoken about his allegiance, quick to share his love for Minnesota. In fact, he wears a permanent token to his hometown. Heintz has a full-sleeve tatoo on his arm, the artwork containing several snapshots of the Twin Cities: a St. Paul police badge, the infamous “spoon and cherry,” Lego Land, and the Minneapolis skyline, to name a few. The tattoo also includes logos for the Minnesota Twins, St. Paul Saints, and the North Stars. Of course, the Vikings mascot stands out near the inside of his forearm.
The tattoo, jerseys, memorabilia, his Twitter page…it’s clear to anyone who meets him—when it comes to his team, Heintz is much more than a fan.
“Forever bleeding purple and gold. Thank you, Vikings.”
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