⛵ The Minnesota Vikings Helmet Story
The white Norse horns on a purple shell were sketched for the expansion Vikings in 1961 by Los Angeles Examiner sports cartoonist Karl Hubenthal. Apart from a matte-finish update and refined horn shape in 2013, the design has never fundamentally changed — six decades of one of the cleanest helmet concepts in sports.
🧠 Collector's Trivia
- The horns were designed by a newspaper cartoonist, not a branding agency.
- The Vikings' "Purple People Eaters" defensive line of the 1970s helped take the team to four Super Bowls.
- Minnesota is the only franchise to lose four Super Bowls without ever trailing at halftime in any of them — a famous trivia oddity.
Available Mini Helmets
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Current Logo Speed Mini
Purple shell with viking horn
Speed Replica
Full-size speed replica
Flash Alternate
Chrome purple flash finish
1961-79 Throwback
Original Norseman logo
Eclipse Alternate
Matte black eclipse finish
Where to Buy Minnesota Vikings Mini Helmets
Official Minnesota Vikings mini helmets are available from:
- Amazon - Convenience, reviews, and fast shipping (use the shop buttons above)
- eBay - The best source for retired throwbacks and discontinued editions
- NFL Shop - Official NFL merchandise with team branding
- Riddell.com - Direct from the manufacturer
- Team Pro Shop - The official Minnesota team store
Tip: Always verify authenticity by checking for official Riddell branding and NFL licensing. Avoid deals that seem too good to be true.
More NFC North Teams
Check out mini helmets from the Minnesota Vikings' division rivals: