Former Vikings RB Defiant over Draft Speech
When the Minnesota Vikings selected cornerback Andrew Booth from Clemson in the 2022 NFL Draft, the new defender had to wait a few minutes before hearing his name read aloud.
Former Vikings running back Ed Marinaro was tapped for duty in announcing the pick, and he immediately made headlines with his speech. In fairness to Marinaro, he didn’t do anything wrong or vile — but he did use about three minutes to filibuster before the Booth announcement.
As onlookers realized Marinaro had no interest in brevity, a woman approached the podium, presumably telling the ex-Vikings to just read the pick, please.
Marinaro did, and the Vikings chose Booth, fruit of a stunning trade with the rival Green Bay Packers.
The digital stratosphere relished the Marinaro experience, applauding him for the entertainment and skewering the 72-year-old for maundering.
But after the Marinaro Experience, he took to Twitter the following day, telling folks to lighten up. He said:
“To all u bitching about me talking to long last night. It was THREE minutes!. You wanna have me arrested! Come out of you’re basement. The sun is healing.”
– Ed Marinaro
And here’s the official tweet:
Marinaro played four seasons for the Vikings, notching 51 games played, 2,015 yards from scrimmage, and 11 touchdowns. This was the Purple People Eater era for the defense, with Fran Tarkenton in the saddle on offense.
He was even a participant in Super Bowl VIII when the Vikings lost to the Miami Dolphins, 24-7.
After football, Marinaro became an actor and was cast as a coach in 39 episodes of Blue Mountain State.
It is unclear if Marinaro will be back to represent the Vikings in future NFL drafts.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sally from Minneapolis. His Viking fandom dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).