When the Vikings Made the Bengals Tap Out by Halftime

 

 When the Vikings Made the Bengals Tap Out by Halftime

Todd Swank's Diary Entry for September 28, 2025

Luke had his six-month checkup at Mayo Clinic this week, and everything came back stable. These visits always crank up our stress levels like it’s playoff overtime, but this time we got the win—no big changes since last time. Huge relief, and a little reminder that sometimes the best news is nothing new at all. Thank you, God.

Looking out the hospital window at downtown Rochester, it’s hard not to notice the giant crater where Mayo Clinic is busy reinventing itself. This place has been an important part of my life since 1970, when I had thumb surgery at just six weeks old.  All four members of my family have been patients here in recent years. The $5 billion expansion is noisy, messy, and tearing up downtown—but when it’s finished, the new towers will be cranking out miracles. Well worth the headache!

Last Sunday the kids joined me for the Vikings game, and thanks to a season-ticket holder tailgate we even got some family photos outside U.S. Bank Stadium. After the Falcons fiasco, I walked in braced for heartbreak—but let’s just say things went a little differently this time.

We had a new QB starting this game, which always feels like rolling dice with the football gods. Rookie J.J. McCarthy was sidelined with a high ankle sprain—maybe real, maybe just a convenient way to let the kid watch a little longer from the bench before we throw him back into the fire. That meant it was Carson Wentz time. I’ve followed him since his NDSU days, and knowing he grew up a Vikings fan only made me more excited to see what he could do in purple.

When Carson Wentz first ran out onto the field, I had my phone ready to film the moment—and instead of heading straight to warmups, he beelined over to his kids. He knelt down, spent a few minutes with them, and it just hit me: this guy looks like a really good dad. I love rooting for players who seem like good people off the field too, not just stat machines on Sunday.

On the sideline I caught O’Connell talking with Wentz and Jefferson before the game—calm, collected, invested. They call him a ‘quarterback whisperer’ for a reason. He’s got that rare balance of poise + pressure. I trust he’ll get J.J. ready when the time comes—but I’m also itching to see what he lets Wentz do now that he’s got the wheel.

Pretty soon the cheerleaders were out on the field to get everyone fired up for kickoff. The routine was sharp, the energy was high, and let’s just say the lineup looked a little different this year. Either way, they did their job—and the crowd was cheering and ready for football!

We weren’t the only ones playing a backup QB—Cincinnati was rolling with Jake Browning while Joe Burrow recovered from toe surgery. Browning had beaten us before, so I wasn’t ready to get cocky, but there was a quiet hope this matchup might tilt our way.

Watching Carson drop back behind the line, I wasn’t sure what we’d get—Hall of Fame magic or another journeyman cameo. Turns out he was steady and serviceable, which is exactly what we needed. He went 14 of 20 for 173 yards, threw a pair of touchdown passes, and most importantly, didn’t turn the ball over once. For a guy signed just three weeks ago, that’s a pretty solid day at the office.

By the end of the day, it felt good to see the Vikings back on track. The run game was pounding away for big chunks, and the defense flat-out stole the show—two touchdowns on turnovers will do that. After weeks of frustration, this one felt like a reset button. Next up, they head to Dublin to take on the Steelers, and I can’t wait to see if the momentum carries across the pond. Something tells me most of you already know how that went…

Miss Sheri was driving near our neighborhood last night and came across five deer. It’s a pretty common sight around here, but it still feels special every time. There’s something about a quiet encounter like that—it reminds you that even the ordinary can still feel pretty extraordinary if you let it.

@toddswank Carson Wentz preparing for his first start as a Minnesota Viking. Will this be the beginning of an era? #skol #vikings #quarterback #carsonwentz ♬ Lovin Myself - Ava Max

@toddswank Sep 21, 2025 – Vikings 48, Bengals 10! Absolute beatdown today. Defense scoring, Mason running wild, and a record-setting FG. What a day to be at the Bank! #SKOL #VikingsWin #PurplePride #NFLGameDay #MinnesotaVikings ♬ Let's Go - JAXSON GAMBLE

@toddswank This clip is from last week’s game vs the Falcons — Isaiah Rodgers spent 10 minutes throwing balls with kids before kickoff. Fast forward to this week vs the Bengals… he’s scoring pick-6s and defensive TDs. Class on and off the field. #I#IsaiahRodgersV#VikingsS#Skol ♬ Hold My Hand - Jess Glynne

Love, Laughter, and a Lot of Grapes: A Wedding in Pepin

 

Love, Laughter, and a Lot of Grapes: A Wedding in Pepin

Todd Swank's Diary Entry for September 21, 2025

Last Sunday night, Miss Sheri and I found ourselves at a late Vikings game on a school night. Perfect timing, since I was fresh off kidney stone surgery and cranky enough to chew nails. But this was the home debut of our supposed QB savior, J.J. McCarthy, so of course I limped my way into U.S. Bank Stadium. Because nothing says “healing environment” like 60,000 people screaming at a rookie quarterback.

Before kickoff, Miss Sheri and I bumped into a couple of Vikings legends, Daunte Culpepper and David Dixon. Daunte was the guy who once lit up the league with over 4,700 passing yards in 2004 and three trips to the Pro Bowl, and Dixon anchored the O-line for more than a decade. Pretty cool to meet them, even if I’m sure nothing thrills retired NFL stars more than standing in the sun for 90 minutes taking pictures with goofballs like me.

Jared Allen was back in the house getting his Hall of Fame ring, and it was classic Jared—blowing the Gjallarhorn, making cameos throughout the game, and of course riding a motorcycle on the field because walking is for punters. He was one of our favorites during the Brett Favre era, partly because he sacked quarterbacks like he was late for happy hour, and partly because nobody dropped to one knee and mimed a calf-roping better than him. Seeing him again almost made me forget about the stent jammed in my ureter. Almost.

The Falcons came to town, and I’ll admit it—I was feeling pretty good about our chances. We’d just pulled off a wild comeback win against the Bears, and Atlanta had managed to lose to the Buccaneers the week before. On paper, that meant we were set up nicely. Of course, the only thing paper is good for in Minnesota football is lighting it on fire and roasting marshmallows over the ashes of our hope.

JJ McCarthy looked like a rookie who wasn’t ready for prime time, and honestly, who could blame him with an offensive line dropping like flies in front of him? The Falcons smelled blood and never let up, pounding their way to a 22–6 beatdown that felt even worse than it looks on paper. By the end of the night, I was convinced the Vikings might not win another game all season. That’s the beauty of this team—they’ll have you pricing out caskets for the season one week and planning a parade the next.

One afternoon this week we decided to sneak in a boat ride with my mom, because summer’s almost gone and it might be our last chance on the water. Grandma Linda had hinted more than once that we hadn’t taken her out yet, so we finally made it happen. Honestly, I was worried about how we were going to get this 82-year-old into the boat… then she shocked us all by scaling the side of it while it was still on the trailer in my garage. She looked like a spider monkey on Red Bull.  I was pretty proud of her.

Thursday night we gave bingo another go with the Walters. Don’t get me wrong—we always have fun hanging out with them, but I’m getting real tired of walking out without ever getting to scream “BINGO!” at the top of my lungs. At this point, I’d settle for a free appetizer coupon just so I don’t feel like the universe is personally mocking me.

Friday night we hauled across the state to a tucked-away corner of Pepin, Wisconsin, for a wedding at a winery. The vines were beautiful, the backdrop looked like a postcard, and somehow Miss Sheri and I managed to clean up well enough that they actually let us inside. Turns out love, wine, and long drives are a pretty good combo—even if I was secretly wondering how fast I could get back into sweatpants.

The ceremony itself was beautiful. Evan and Sophia read their vows to each other, and they were so well-spoken and emotional that you could feel the love radiating off them. It’s one of those moments where the rest of the world kind of fades out, and you’re just watching two people start something pretty incredible together.

We’ve known Evan since elementary school—he was in the same grade as Luke and Avery—so it was pretty special to watch him walk into this new chapter. The Wolf family is as close as they come and love nothing more than teasing each other, which made their speeches a blast to watch. Later I even tried to dance for a bit… until I remembered I’m still technically recovering from surgery. Let’s just say a ureter stent and a dance floor don’t mix.

We stayed in Wabasha, Minnesota, at a VRBO just a block from the Mississippi and this bridge that shoots you straight into Wisconsin. Not a bad setup—river views, a little small-town charm, and a statue of Chief Wapahasha standing guard like he’s making sure nobody from Minnesota sneaks across the border without paying the cheese tax.

Miss Sheri has always wanted to visit the National Eagle Center, so when we realized our VRBO was basically across the street, Saturday morning plans wrote themselves. She was thrilled—like bucket-list level excited. I haven’t seen her that happy since the Vikings drafted J.J. McCarthy and we all convinced ourselves it was finally our year.

The Eagle Center has five ambassador birds—four bald eagles and a red-tailed hawk—all rescues that can’t live in the wild anymore. Three of them were on display with no cages, just a railing between us and them. Hearing their calls echo through the building was intense, and watching them get fed up close was incredible. Makes you realize how powerful they are… and also how quickly I’d lose in a fight with one.

The two guys running the eagle program were sharp, funny, and maybe just a little too eager to fill every second with words. This one told us he moved to Wabasha right out of college—basically a 20-something dude dropping into a town of 2,500 where the average age is 55. Probably explains why he’s gotten so friendly with the birds.

Tom and Kellie joined us at the Eagle Center, probably just trying to recover from weeks of wedding planning chaos. Honestly, after pulling off an event like that, staring at eagles all morning has to feel like a vacation. We had a great time hanging out with them and their family all weekend—it’s always a gift to share moments like these with friends who feel like family.

@toddswank So Mystic Lake thought: “What if Top Golf and Vegas had a baby?” 🎰⛳ Welcome to LaunchPad! — opening Oct 3, 2025. #LaunchPadGolf #MysticLakeCasino #GolfTok #SwingBig #MinnesotaLife ♬ original sound - Todd Swank

@toddswank Just hung out with real bald eagles on the Mississippi 🦅🔥 Wabasha’s National Eagle Center is pure magic—rescued raptors, mind-blowing facts, and river views that make you want to move here. Honestly? Drop what you’re doing and go. #EagleExperience #MinnesotaAdventures #WildlifeUpClose #BucketListStop #TravelTok ♬ original sound - Todd Swank

A September Wedding to Remember in Iowa

 

A September Wedding to Remember in Iowa

Todd Swank's Diary Entry for September 14, 2025

Luke invited us over for Monday Night Football with his roommates, where the lasagna was hot and the Vikings started ice cold. By the 4th quarter though, JJ McCarthy decided to remind Chicago that he’s not just our QB of the Future, he’s the QB of Right Now. Big comeback, big win, and big hopes for the season. SKOL!

This week threw me a curveball with surgery to blast out some stubborn kidney stones. The pain, the meds, the endless trips to the bathroom—it hasn’t been my idea of a fun time. But I’m bouncing back, and truth is, I’m lucky. I’ve got great doctors, Miss Sheri keeping me in line, and friends fighting battles way tougher than mine. So yeah, it hurts—but I’m blessed.

We spent the weekend in Iowa, which always stirs up old memories for me. I moved to Mason City when I was 7 years old and haven’t been back too often since leaving decades ago. We were really there for a wedding in Hanlontown, but with a few hours to kill Saturday morning we took a drive through my old stomping grounds. Funny how a place can feel both familiar and like another lifetime all at once.

This was home from 3rd through 9th grade—me, my mom, and my two sisters packed into this little house. A lot of wild times happened here. Honestly, when I have childhood nightmares, they usually play out in these rooms. But it wasn’t all bad—there were plenty of good memories too. The place doesn’t look quite the same as I remember, but it’s close enough to stir up a flood of feelings, both the good and the not-so-good.

John Adams Middle School was where I spent 6th through 8th grade, just a few blocks from where I lived. We drove past it this time, and funny enough, everything looks so much smaller than I remembered—especially the distances between places in the neighborhood. Back then it felt huge, but I guess that’s what growing up does. You get bigger, the world shrinks, and the old landmarks turn into quick drive-bys.

I only spent my freshman year at Mason City High before moving to Clear Lake. Back then, we were the Mohawks—a tough, proud mascot that everybody respected. Now they’re the RiverHawks, which sounds like something invented in a boardroom to make everyone feel safe. I never thought “Mohawks” was disrespectful, but apparently, a bird nobody’s ever seen before is less offensive. Whatever it is, I’m still calling them the Mohawks.

This is the ol’ Cannonball 457 in East Park—the same steam engine I used to treat like my personal playground. Back then we climbed all over it, pretending we were stuntmen, spelunkers, daredevils. Yeah, there were plenty of spots that could’ve given you a punctured lung or a lifelong scar—but we didn’t care. Now it’s restored, under shelter, polished up, protected by gates. Pretty sure they’d arrest me for trying the same stunts today. It’s prettier now, but far less dangerous. I kind of miss the danger.

I’ve always been drawn to water, and this stretch of the Winnebago River was one of my favorite spots as a kid. I’d crawl under this bridge and spend hours catching crawfish, frogs, turtles—basically anything slimy enough to freak out my sisters. There’s more graffiti here now, and I may have stumbled across a makeshift bed that wasn’t here in the ’80s, but otherwise it felt the same. For a moment, I was that curious kid again, chasing critters and not a care in the world.

Northwestern Steakhouse is more than just one of my favorite steakhouses—it’s an institution. Started back in 1920 by Tony and Pete (Greek immigrants) to serve tough workers, it still feels like “home” to anyone who waited in line, belt loosened, just to get that filet cooked Greek-style. That filet? It melts in your mouth—olive oil, butter, secret seasoning. Even with reservations, we waited; always do. It looks cleaner now, all polished, but every bite whispers the old stories.

We met up with Ron "Sugarman" Myers, his wife Kristie, and a couple of their kids for dinner. It had been too long, so it felt good to sit down and swap stories over steaks and Greek-style spaghetti. And because we’re gluttons for punishment, we went out for ice cream afterward. By the end of the night our stomachs were stretched to capacity, but the conversation made it more than worth the discomfort.

The whole reason for our trip to Iowa was to celebrate Chris and Kaylea Barragy’s wedding in Hanlontown. It was a gorgeous ceremony on an equally gorgeous day—though I’m not sure anyone expected the thermometer to hit 90 degrees in September. Still, the heat didn’t matter. Two people said “I do,” everyone cheered, and we all walked away reminded that sometimes love really does get the final word.

Scott Barragy was one of my first friends when I moved to Clear Lake, and his family welcomed me into their home countless times in high school. Scott passed away a few years ago, and this was the first time I’d seen his brothers and dad, Joe, in years. We picked up like no time had passed, swapping stories and laughs. It was bittersweet, but I’m so glad we had the chance to reconnect and share that time together.

We had to duck out after dinner, so we didn’t get to close the place down, but it was a joy being there to celebrate with Chris and Kaylea. They’re a great match, and it’s clear they’ve got something strong between them. Wishing them nothing but the best as they start this next chapter—it’s always good to see love winning.

@toddswank A buddy who’s a Bears fan sent me this. Let’s go Vikings!! #bears #vikings #nfl #mondaynightfootball ♬ Monday Night Football (Trap Remix) - Trap Remix Guys

@toddswank JJ McCarthy is excited to get back in the game. #vikings #jump #nfl #mondaynightfootball ♬ Jump Around - House Of Pain

@toddswank That feeling when the Bears thought it would be easy… and the Vikings had other plans ! 😅🏈. #N#NFLVikings #bears ##minnesota#chicago ♬ original sound - SKOL Nation!

Back in the Saddle, Galloping Into Fall

Back in the Saddle, Galloping Into Fall

Todd Swank's Diary Entry for September 7, 2025

This week was all work and no play, which doesn’t make for riveting blog material. I didn’t even get my usual arms-in-the-air photo—so I cheated. I tossed my face into Ideogram and told it to make me a cowboy. The pictures looked decent, except for one tiny problem: AI has no idea how to draw me. My whole deal—Shortarmguy—is that my arms, hands, and shoulders are one-of-a-kind, but AI keeps giving me the body of some ranch-hand from a Marlboro ad. Maybe someday the robots will figure out how to render a guy who doesn’t come off the shelf. Until then, I guess I’ll be riding into fall on fake horses while doing the real work myself.

On Labor Day we headed to Jeff & Cathy’s place in Hastings, where Jeff turns into a one-man pizza factory. The guy cranks out pies like he’s auditioning for his own Food Network show—same perfect crust every time, with toppings you didn’t even know belonged on pizza. Forget “master chef,” Jeff’s basically the Willy Wonka of mozzarella, and all of us freeloaders lined up like kids at the chocolate river.

Thursday night we joined Dan & Jen Walters, plus Luke and a couple of his buddies, for Bingo at the Crooked Pint. As usual, we had a blast gambling together—even if none of us got the thrill of yelling “Bingo!” Pulltabs didn’t exactly treat us like royalty either. But hey, who needs money when you can call it a win just for hanging out with good people for a few hours?

Hard to believe it, but Avery & Abby’s wedding is now less than a month away. Saturday night turned into a multi-hour strategy session of logistics planning—well, Sheri and Abby planned, while Avery and I perfected the art of nodding and tossing in the occasional smart-aleck comment. We capped it off with a nice dinner together, and just like that, another week was in the books. The countdown to wedding day is officially on, so I’m just hoping they remember to save me a seat somewhere near the cake.

@toddswank Bill Belichick’s girlfriend if Tom Brady never existed. #football #tarheels #northcarolina #newengland #patriots ♬ I Got You Babe - Sonny & Cher

@toddswank

♬ Perfect Day (From "Legally Blonde") - Fuchsia Boom Band

@toddswank 3I/ATLAS, discovered in July 2025, is an interstellar comet now streaking past Mars on its one-way trip out of our Solar System. Astronomers say it’s just ice and gas—but doesn’t it look a little too perfect to be anything but an alien craft in disguise? #AlienComet #SpaceMystery #3IATLAS #CosmicVisitor #WhatIf ♬ A Sky Full of Stars - Coldplay

@toddswank Like father, like son 👀 Matthew McConaughey brings 17-year-old Levi to the red carpet… and the internet can’t decide who’s hotter. #M#MatthewMcConaugheyL#LeviMcConaugheyR#RedCarpetH#Hollywood ♬ whatta man - mette

Running Out of Summer and Straight Back Into Reality

 

Running Out of Summer and Straight Back Into Reality

Todd Swank's Diary Entry for August 31, 2025

Life’s been nonstop since we got back from Hawaii, but we did make time to celebrate Miss Sheri’s 58th birthday. We had family, way too much food, and the reminder that cake calories don’t count if you eat them quickly. Time moves too fast, but the good stuff makes it worth the ride.

Abby had to work during Miss Sheri’s actual birthday, so we got to celebrate again a few days later when she was home. Turns out the secret to getting older gracefully is negotiating a deal for double birthdays—Sheri’s working the system like a pro.

We had our fantasy football draft at Steve “Cuds” Cuddihy’s place. Best commissioner in the business—equal parts rule enforcer, party planner, and therapist for grown men arguing over backup tight ends.

Last year was finally my year! I hadn’t touched the Cuddihy Cup since 2010, so lifting it again felt like a reunion tour nobody thought would happen. The thing isn’t so much a trophy as it is a piece of oversized lawn art—but after 15 years, even a bulky hunk of hardware feels like pure gold.

Karl and Tina invited us for a boat ride on the St. Croix River. It was a little chilly for August, so we bundled up in the cabin and cruised upriver to Stillwater. Nothing says “end of summer in Minnesota” like needing sweatshirts while you’re still technically in flip-flop season.

We wandered around Stillwater and found a crowd huddled around this osprey. The story was it got tangled in fishing line and some good citizens rescued it. Or at least that’s what they said—people will make up anything if it gets them attention. For all I know, the bird just wanted a break. Either way, it eventually flew off, so I guess it didn’t need our sympathy as much as we thought.

I did get to pose with my pretty wife by the river, which made me happy. Mostly because it proves I can still convince her to stand next to me in public after all these years.

We ate at Brick & Bourbon in Stillwater, where they treat dinner like a dare. The duck bacon wontons were ridiculous in the best way, and my smoked old fashioned came with a waffle and a strip of bacon sticking out of it. Not exactly a cocktail garnish you expect, but somehow it worked—and honestly, I respect any place bold enough to serve breakfast on top of whiskey.

Krazy Kory and Harli came to town for a night, so we hit up the Minnesota Lynx vs. Indiana Fever game. The place was packed, the crowd was loud, and we had a blast pretending we actually knew anything about WNBA defensive schemes. Sometimes it’s not about the score—it’s about yelling like superfans and hoping nobody around us notices we’re winging it.

We bought these tickets months ago hoping to watch Caitlin Clark play, but with her injuries this season we had to settle for seeing her work the crowd before tipoff. And honestly, it was still something special—she moves through an arena like a rock star, signing autographs and leaving a trail of kids who look at her the way my generation once looked at Michael Jordan. You realize it’s bigger than basketball—it’s a movement. Hopefully next time we’ll get to see her actually play, but even from the sidelines she owned the night.

We still got to watch a fun game, and the Lynx gave the home crowd plenty to cheer about. Napheesa Collier came back from her injury and played like she never left, dropping 32 points and reminding everyone why she’s the MVP favorite. Courtney Williams ran the floor like she had the ball on a string, stacking up a double-double without breaking a sweat. The Fever had their moments, but the Lynx looked every bit like the team to beat this year. Another amazing season for Minnesota women's hoops—this squad just keeps proving why they’re the standard in the WNBA.

Our friends Portia and Doc Vogt bought a new pontoon and took us for a cruise around Spring Lake. Doc was brave enough to dive in, but I conveniently “forgot” my swimsuit—which turned out to be a smart move since the water was cold enough to make a grown man question his life choices.

We had a great time out on the water. Conversations with Portia and Doc always seem to get deep—we pretty much solved half the world’s problems in between laughing, telling stories, and watching the birds put on a murmuration show. Not a bad way to spend a night.

On Friday we made the trek to the Great Minnesota Get-Together, and it felt like an obstacle course just to get there. The park-and-ride was packed, and we even had to evacuate our bus because the driver thought he smelled gasoline—nothing like a little drama to start your day at the fair. By the time we finally made it through the gates, it looked like a million people were already inside. Didn’t matter, though—we only had three things on our minds: corn dogs, cheese curds, and a bucket of Sweet Martha’s Cookies.

We always stop by the DNR pond to check out the different fish that call Minnesota lakes and rivers home. There’s something oddly calming about watching them drift around together—different sizes, different kinds, all moving in the same water without overthinking it. Maybe that’s the lesson: quit fighting the current so much, just swim your lane and enjoy the ride.

We promised ourselves we wouldn’t go overboard at the fair, but five miles in five hours later, our legs told a different story. At least we slowed down long enough to catch some live music—okay, it was a mariachi band, not exactly what I had in mind, but I’ve got to admit their version of La Bamba was fire. And that’s kind of how the end of summer feels: you don’t always get the soundtrack you expect, but if you let yourself enjoy it, it’s still a pretty great way to close out the season.

@toddswank The new Boardwalk Kitchen & Bar allows you to watch and bet on live horse racing without going into Canterbury Downs. #boardwalk #shakopee #canterbury #horseracing #newrestaurant ♬ original sound - Todd Swank

@toddswank Congratulations to Taylor & Travis!! This is bigger than the Super Bowl AND the Eras Tour combined! #TaylorAndTravis #BigRockEnergy #EngagedTok #Swifties #traviskelce ♬ Style (Taylor's Version) - Taylor Swift

@toddswank Inside the $6M Kansas City castle where Travis Kelce got down on one knee and Taylor Swift said yes. From family dinners to hidden bars and enchanted gardens, this is the mansion where their Love Story became real. #TaylorSwift #TravisKelce #Engaged #LoveStory #Swifties ♬ Love Story - Taylor Swift

@toddswank Dallas: The league’s #1 farm system for everyone else. 🤦‍♂️ First Luka, now Micah… who’s next? #DallasSports #MicahParsons #LukaDoncic #Packers ♬ All My Ex's Live In Texas - George Strait