Confirmed: One Vikings Player … Actually Looks Like a Viking
Dustin Baker
|
Fans have called it out since the middle of the 2022 season. His nickname is The Logo. And his hair flows accordingly.
Now, though, there’s documented proof that Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson looks like an actual Viking.
Confirmed: One Vikings Player … Actually Looks Like a Viking
In a tweet from Whistle Sports, promoted by State Farm, the Vikings playmaker donned a Viking costume, and well, he resembled a Viking without having to do much besides tossing on a stereotypical Viking helmet.
Whistle Sports is a media publisher, describing itself as “on a mission to build a global sports and entertainment company at the dynamic intersection of media, technology and commerce that elevates and inspires our audience and community of partners.”
Here’s the tweet and video of Hockenson, once-and-for-all proof of the man’s Viking doppelganger status:
Hockenson joined the Vikings via trade on November 1st, 2022, with the Detroit Lions, and he fundamentally changed and enhanced Minnesota’s offense from day one. He didn’t take long at all to become acclimated to head coach Kevin O’Connell’s scheme and playcalling, and with his immediate insertion into the lineup, his production was so vast, so vital, fans wondered, “What did we ever do without this guy?”
Then, last summer, the Vikings’ front office made Hockenson the richest tight end in NFL history, at least for a year, handing the Iowa alumnus a four-year, $68.5 million contract. He’ll remain a Viking through the end of the 2027 season, barring something funky or unexpected.
Hockenson has been mandatory in 2023, too. Reigning Offensive Player of the Year Justin Jefferson was lost for seven games in October to a hamstring injury, and Hockenson’s workload spiked. In fact, after Kirk Cousins was injured for the season — yes, it’s an infirmary in Minnesota — newcomer quarterback Joshua Dobbs developed a favorite-target chemistry with Hockenson. Minnesota fired off a 5-2 record during Jefferson’s absence, and that mark likely wouldn’t have been possible without Hockenson in the middle of the field.
PurpleForTheWin first notably uplifted the Vikings doppelganger connection 13 months ago:
The Whistle tweet and video serve as an after-the-fact confirmation. Hockenson quite literally looks like a Viking, or at least what pop culture claims Vikings from Norway looked like centuries ago.
Next up for The Logo and the Vikings are the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday. Minnesota has a 6-6 record entering Week 14 and has a coinflip’s chance of reaching the playoffs. The aforementioned Jefferson will return from injured reserve, Dobbs was tabbed as QB1 by O’Connell, and if the Vikings prevail, their playoff probability will creep over 60%.
Hockenson is on pace for 113 receptions, 1,114 yards, and 7 touchdowns in 2023.
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 Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
You must be logged in to post a comment.