The Vikings Are Mourning the Loss Of A Special Group
Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Louis Armstrong recorded a track titled “New Orleans Function” in 1950. Armstrong’s inspiration for this musical number came from his childhood experiences witnessing funeral processions in New Orleans back in the early 1900s. The song starts with a sorrowful hymn, as the band marches towards the cemetery for a funeral service mourning the life that was lost. After the service, the same band marches back, this time playing a more joyous tune celebrating the life that was lived. When the news of Armstrong’s passing hit in 1971, NBC played a shortened version of New Orleans Function in his memory.
Rather than playing for a Super Bowl in New Orleans, the Minnesota Vikings were in that first stage of a New Orleans Function of their own in the visitor’s locker room at State Farm Stadium following the Vikings 27-9 Wild Card loss. Players must now traverse the five stages of grief as they try to process the disappointing end to a remarkable 14-win season.
Harrison Phillips, Harrison Smith, and Josh Metellus were all visibly emotional as they spoke with the media. “[It’s] tough man,” Metellus said. “I think the relationships in the building, that’s what hurt the most. Losing this team, losing what we built from the ground up. We got some amazing guys in this building, and it sucks that this was our last day.”
#Vikings do-it-all defender Josh Metellus, as stand-up as it gets, very emotional as the season ends: pic.twitter.com/XthMujRwnw
— KSTPSports (@KSTPSports) January 14, 2025
A normally stoic Smith was asked what it was like to bring along Metellus in his NFL journey. He let out a nervous chuckle stating “I prefer not to have him on camera,” before taking a few moments to gather his thoughts as he glanced over at Metellus with a gleam in his eye. “44 is a special guy, 24 [Cam Bynum] and 44.” Smith said. “Felt like I’ve been a mentor of sorts, seeing them grow into really special players, great people. So it’s been a pleasure to be around.” At this point of the interview, Smith struggled to hold back his tears.
If this is indeed Harrison Smith's last game as a Viking – it's been my true honor to cover his entire NFL career. A future Hall of Famer as a player and a person. Here Harry tells me about his love & respect for his teammates and for Brian Flores. #hofhitman pic.twitter.com/xmQfGVQUiW
— Dawn Mitchell (@DawnAtFOX9) January 14, 2025
There was an overwhelming sense of finality the players spoke with post-game. A lot of past-tense phrases, and a feeling that they let the only opportunity to win with this core group slip through their fingers. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores has head coaching interviews scheduled with the New York Jets, Jacksonville Jaguars, and the Chicago Bears. Smith appears to be contemplating retirement while Bynum, Byron Murphy, Stephon Gilmore, and Shaq Griffin are all set to hit free agency. Change is inevitable, and the Vikings are mourning the loss of a group of players who called each other brothers.
This was a team that was heartbroken before the season even began following the tragic loss of rookie cornerback Khyree Jackson, who was struck and killed by a drunk driver alongside high school teammates Isaiah Hazel and A.J. Lytton in his home state of Maryland on July 6, 2024.
From that point on, the Vikings played with a greater sense of purpose, never taking anything for granted, knowing that all of it can be taken away at a moment’s notice. Recently, Andrew Kramer went into greater detail about Khyree Jackson and how he left an indelible mark on the season, remaining in the forefront of everyone’s minds. Tragedies like this have a way of bringing people together, and this team undoubtedly came together. Not only were they able to exceed their projected 6.5 win total — all while overcoming season-ending injuries to J.J. McCarthy and Mekhi Blackmon in the preseason — they did so with an unextinguishable joy.
The way these Vikings were able to come together for a greater purpose, against all odds and oddsmakers, is what made this group of guys so special. It’s incredibly difficult to go 14-3 in the regular season, so whenever that happens, you want to see the team make the most out of it. They couldn’t, and if history gives us any indication, it’ll take another 25 years before the Vikings win 14 or more games in the regular season again.
But there’s hope it won’t take too long for the marching band to start playing a more joyous tune in Minnesota. McCarthy should be ready for the 2025 season, and the Vikings have over $70 million in cap space they can spend to surround their young quarterback with top-end talent. Before we can shift to optimism for the Vikings going forward, though, the players first need time to mourn what they’ve lost: A special opportunity with a special group of players.
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