Sep 22, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Erin Henderson (50) celebrates a sack with defensive end Jared Allen (69) during the third quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. The Browns defeated the Vikings 31-27. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports.
The Minnesota Vikings are just too damn nice. That’s it: their locker room culture consists of too many nice human beings to be any good.
That’s the opinion, anyway, of former linebacker Erin Henderson, who launched a digital crusade on X this week to cast the purple team in an unflattering light.
“Folks don’t want to hear this but as long as the Vikes locker room is filled with nice guys they ain’t gonna win. Attitude reflects leadership and the Vikes are a nice family oriented organization top to bottom,” Henderson tweeted on Friday.
Indeed, head coach Kevin O’Connell is known for his accommodating and friendly personality, but Henderson’s revelation is news to many — that folks with kind souls can’t win football games. “I don’t have to be in the locker room to see tender football being played on the field. N wtf would I be bitter about. Seems like yall bitter I want to root for another team,” Henderson continued.
Henderson also chided Minnesota for Lewis Cine’s role on the team, a former 1st-Rounder who didn’t receive much playing time in 2023, his second year in the pros. He insinuated that Cine was “too mean” for the Vikings’ culture, and such a persona has kept him sidelined. In reality, Cine broke his leg in October 2022, and when he returned, the Vikings had an extraordinarily deep safety room.
The Vikings employed Henderson for six seasons between 2008 and 2013. And the man was quite productive, especially after gaining a starter’s role during the last half of his purple tenure. Henderson, usually a prominent voice on “Vikings Twitter,” also told fans he now cheers for the Houston Texans and generally seems done with Minnesota because of the club’s niceness.
Henderson also tweeted — in a series of Vikings-themed posts that reached well over 20 — “I wanted DeMeco in Minnesota. I rode with the Vikes for 2 more years outta loyalty but I’m over it.” Ryans is the Texans head coach, and Minnesota’s choice to grab O’Connell two years ago apparently irked the ex-Viking.
The brother of E.J. Henderson — also a former Vikings linebacker — recorded 295 total tackles in 64 games with Minnesota, a part of Brad Childress’ and Leslie Fraizer’s defenses. Henderson left the Vikings right when Mike Zimmer took over in 2014 and later joined the New York Jets for a couple of seasons. He encountered some legal problems early in 2014 that might’ve led to his off-ramp in Minnesota.
Henderson’s Texans are forecasted to win 9.5 games in 2024, with Minnesota three behind at 6.5.
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 MIN 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.