Welcome to the 25 SKOL’s of Christmas!
In a similar vein to how Freeform has done the 25 days of Christmas, we will look back at different moments in Vikings history to bring a little extra joy to you this holiday season.
It’s that simple. The holidays can be a trying time for some people and we want to put a smile on people’s faces by reminiscing about some truly joyous times in Vikings’ history.
On the twenty-third SKOL of Christmas, the Vikings gave to me: Randy Moss mooning Lambeau Field.
Joe Buck’s words will forever live in the minds of Vikings fans after that fateful touchdown celebration.
“That was a disgusting act by Randy Moss.”
To understand the rationale behind the moon, you have to know about the why.
In the 2004 season, Daunte Culpepper had a magical MVP-caliber season. With 39 touchdowns and a then NFL record 5,124 yards. In their first two games against the Green Bay Packers, they lost 34-31 in both contests. They got another shot in the 3-6 wild card matchup.
The game started off really well, as the Vikings had a 14-0 lead within the first five minutes. It went back and forth and the Packers were down just seven at 24-17 early in the fourth quarter.
That’s when Culpepper found Moss wide open on a go route from 34 yards out and Moss displayed his “fake” moon for all the world.
January 9, 2005: @RandyMoss catches a TD in an NFC Wild Card Matchup in Green Bay and tops it off with a moon shot celebration that Joe Buck from finds extremely offensive. The Vikings won 31-17.
“That is a disgusting act by Randy Moss” pic.twitter.com/EJjINdkURC
— This Day In Sports Clips (@TDISportsClips) January 9, 2021
This came just one week after he left the field early against the Washington Commanders when the Vikings were about to attempt an onside kick. That had a sour taste in the mouths of many when talking about Moss, which led to a lot of vitriol.
The reason he ended up doing it was because of how the fans greet the Vikings’ team bus whenever they arrive at Lambeau Field: they moon them.
Moss was just getting a level of retribution on the fans that had heckled him for his entire career. It was relatively harmless that was overblown because of course it was.
I will say that for Vikings’ fans, it was one of the coolest moments in team history. I have a picture of it hanging in my basement.
Previous SKOL’s of Christmas:
Drafting Randy Moss
Vikings 1997 Wild Card Comeback
Jarius Wright Walks Off the Jets
Jared Allen traded to Vikings
Adrian Peterson Sets Rushing Record
Brett Favre Revenge Tour
Bud Grant Rocks a Polo in Freezing Temperatures
Adrian Peterson Stiff Arms Defender to Oblivion
Anthony Carter Dominates the 1987 Playoffs
Kirk Cousins’ First Major Comeback
Randy Moss Dominates Monday Night Football
Tuesday Night Joe Webb
Randy Moss Laterals to Moe Williams
Miracle At The Met
Cris Carter catches number 1,000
Resurgence of Randall Cunningham
Sam Bradford Opens Up U.S. Bank Stadium
Teddy Bridgewater’s Triumphant Return
Randy Moss on Thanksgiving
Bernard Berrian 99 Yard Touchdown
Jeff George’s Moonshots
Vikings Complete Largest NFL Comeback