Riding a Vikings Voyage to Nowhere

Riding a Vikings Voyage to Nowhere

Todd Swank's Diary Entry for January 7, 2024

Miss Sheri had her surgery for endometrial cancer on Thursday and all indications are it went really well.  The lead surgeon told us that the tumor was so small they had trouble finding it in her uterus after it was removed.  There are no indications that the cancer has spread, although we still have to wait until Tuesday to get the final pathology report for confirmation.  Although we're not completely out of the woods yet, we feel very blessed for where things stand at this point.  We so appreciate all of you who've been praying for her!

A few days before the surgery we had the opportunity to spend New Year's Eve at US Bank Stadium watching the Minnesota Vikings hosting the Green Bay Packers.  The Vikings season had been skidding to a halt the previous few weeks as our carousel of back-up quarterbacks all seemed to be competing for who could get the most interceptions and our defense started showing more holes than a pair of jeans in a teen fashion show.  But we were ready to cheer regardless!

Before the game, we stumbled upon Tony Dungy and some friends doing Football Night in America outside the stadium.  He used to be the defensive coordinator for the Vikings and played for the Minnesota Gophers before that.  I yelled out his name but I don't know if he remembers me from previous times I'd yelled at him from a crowd of people.   

I was excited to see Minnesota's rookie quarterback, Jaren Hall, start the game.  He only lasted a half finishing 5 of 10 for 67 yards, zero touchdowns, an interception, a lost fumble, and was sacked three times.  Unfortunately he didn't do any better than Joshua Dobbs or Nick Mullens did before him.  It made for a painful way to bring in the new year.

I've always liked Kirk Cousins, but there's plenty of people who don't.  I'm hoping the Vikings now see what life will be like without him and re-sign him this summer as well as draft our quarterback of the future.  The last half of this season has been pretty painful to endure.

Of course, the Packers new quarterback, Jordan Love, threw 3 touchdowns to lead the Packers to a 33-10 victory over the home team.  I swear if Love becomes the Packers third hall-of-fame quarterback in a row I'm going to give up on the NFL and start watching professional hide and seek tournaments instead.

We didn't get out of the game until after 10pm, but we did have the chance to stop by Karl & Tina's house to join them and their neighbors.  We did the countdown and rang in the new year together.  I don't know about the rest of you, but I have a good feeling that 2024 is going to be an awesome year!!