Over the last 40 years, the Minnesota Vikings have consistently been at the top of their division. During this same period, only the Dallas Cowboys have made more playoff appearances. In addition, only four teams have played in more Super Bowls than Minnesota, who participated in Super Bowls IV, VIII, IX, and XI. Pro Football came to the Twin Cities in August of 1959 when five local businessmen were awarded a franchise in the new American Football League. Five months later in January 1960, the same ownership group made up of Bill Boyer, Ole Haugsrud, Bernie Ridder, H. P. Skoglund, and Max Winter first forfeited its AFL membership and then was awarded the National Football League's 14th franchise. Our Minnesota Vikings took the field for the first time in 1961. Perhaps no team in history ever had a more spectacular debut than the Vikings. During the franchises first game on September 17, 1961, rookie Fran Tarketon came off the bench to toss 4 touchdown passes and ran for another to lead the Vikings to a 37-13 victory over the Chicago Bears. 25 years later in 1986, Fran Tarketon became the first Viking player to be elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.