The Minnesota Vikings and their fans have their own war chant, which was made popular by the Icelandic National Football Team during their miraculous run at the World Cup in 2016. The Vikings fans have their Skol chant, originally started as the “Vikings War Chant.” It simply means “Go Vikings.” The Vikings used it in their 1961 theme song, but it was largely abandoned until the Iceland team made it popular again.
The History Behind the Vikings’ ‘Skol’ Chant
If you have ever watched a Vikings home game, you have probably noticed plenty of purple and gold-colored fans dressed in Vikings gear.
You have probably also noticed they chant “Skol.” The Skol chant is not that old, but it has become a staple at the U.S. Bank Center.
Case Keenum, the quarterback of the Vikings at the time, was yelling “Skol Vikings” after a game-winning touchdown against the Green Bay Packers late in the fourth quarter.
The following season the Vikings moved into U.S. Bank Stadium and fans were asking for “Skol Vikings” to become an official cheer at home games.
Sunday can’t come soon enough for Vikings fans and their #Skol chant
(via @mallofamerica) pic.twitter.com/NMc8H8OdlK— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) January 20, 2018
Keenum originally got it going at Lambeau Field, of all places, after a win over the Green Bay Packers. It has also come up at games for the Minnesota Wild, both home and away. Restaurants near the stadium also break into the chant after a victory.
Over the years, it evolved to essentially mean “cheers.” Now, it’s used as a celebratory cheer whenever the Vikings score and during pregame hype.
“Skol has been in our lexicon since the very beginning of the franchise in 1961,” Vikings Director of Brand and Creative Erin Swartz told WCCO in Minneapolis. The phrase was used in the franchise theme song in 1961 but faded out until it was resurrected by the Iceland club and brought back to Minnesota by Keenum.
“It was really like a Cheers! Vikings! We’ve scored, we’re celebrating, we’re winning,” added Swartz.
Before home games, the crowd joins in with a chanting of “Skol,” led by a drummer. This was inspired by the Icelandic soccer team’s Viking clap, which caught the world’s attention at the Euro 2016 tournament.
“Skol Vikings” is simply a different way of saying “Go Vikings.”
The chant isn’t over-performed at Vikings games, either. There are just two formal Skol chants during each game: before the game and some time during the game. This doesn’t include the fan-created chants, the impromptu chants, a tremendous play, or a game-winning touchdown.