Football (and all sports for that matter) is chock full of “lightning rod” personalities, the kind that strive for the spotlight, then arrogantly show off for the world in (sometimes) very embarrassing ways. Ala Cam Newton. Ala Odell Beckham Jr. Ala Terrell Owens. And the list goes on and on and on.

 

There’s not enough mustard in the entire world to garnish those hot dogs.

 

That’s what I like about our Minnesota Vikings of 2017-18. The only “hot-dogging” I’ve seen players perform is when they garner a first down, then signal their success down the throats of the defense.

 

In my mind, that’s subtle compared to the Superman gesture from Newton, the excessive celebrations by DeSean Jackson and the belt taunt from Aaron Rogers. 

 

Even our beloved Randy Moss went off the deep end numerous times including pretending to moon the Green Bay fans during a nationally televised game a few years ago.

 

I miss the days of Bud Grant and the way he engineered his squads to play with class and “if you score a touchdown, act as if you been there before.”

 

I miss those days.

 

But guess what? I think a little bit of those old Vikings days has crept into this year’s squad through our new coach.

 

I know there’s still a little arrogance and showmanship on this year’s team, but it certainly is not to the extreme of the days when the Vikings had such electric personalities as Moss, Cris Carter, John Randle, Jared Allen and even Brett Favre.

 

Yes, we still get a little arm pointing down the field after a first down and we even get some spiking of the ball in the direction of the opponents — but it’s hardly anything like it was in the heyday.

 

That’s what I really like about this year’s team. No gigantic personalities, no lightning rod moments and no excessive showboating. The most we got this year was Digg’s crossing his arms and flinging his helmet after Sunday night’s Miracle in Minneapolis.

 

I think we can forgive Stefon for that little stunt, can’t we?

 

What impressed me was how Diggs said, “I still don't know what just happened. I really don't. All I can say is 'Give it to God.' Because, without him nothing is possible and I wouldn't be here.”

 

He got emotional during the interview and began crying just as he said, “Since I first got here, I never stopped working. Today was when all that work paid off. God put me in a position and I just try to take advantage of my opportunity..”

 

Case Keenum was equally impressive when he  said, “It’s probably going to go down as the third best moment of my life behind giving my life to Jesus Christ, marrying my wife and this one.”

 

That’s classy. That’s worthy of attention. That’s worthy of leading a segment on ESPN. As a parent, that’s what I would want my kid or kids to hear after a game rather than the “In real life, I'm 100 percent unstoppable. I got no home. I run for days," Titans RB Chris Johnson once said.

 

It’s also worth noting there wasn’t one time (that I saw) where the Vikings players disrespected the American flag during the national anthem. And immediately after Sunday’s big win over New Orleans, several players from both teams gathered in a circle at midfield and joined hands in prayer.

 

That’s what I like about this year’s Vikings team. Win or lose this weekend, they have my respect.

 

Kudos Vikes.

 

Bud Grant, too must be so proud.