Minnesota Vikings’ biggest fan calls Winnipeg home

WINNIPEG – Like most Winnipeggers, Syd Davy has a soft spot for the Blue and Gold.

“I don’t do much outside of going to Bombers games,” said the 56-year-old.

But deep inside burns a passion, a purple passion.

“I’m known as ‘100% Cheese Free’,” said Davy.

Yup. He’s that guy: the bold, burly, boisterous Minnesota Vikings super fan.

“I was named the most fanatic fan in the entire NFL in USA Today back in 2006,” said Davy.

The retired train engineer has been a Vikings season ticket holder since 1986. Every home game, he drives more than 700 kilometers to Minneapolis to support his team. But it wasn’t until Halloween 1993 that Davy debuted his alter-ego.

“It just went over so well with the fans that I decided to do it every game after that,” said Davy. “I became the face of the team.”

His flex featured on billboards, tickets and even video games.

“On NFL Fever 2002, they had me catching Randy Moss,” said Davy.

That’s right: catching. It’s a tradition Davy started during Moss’ rookie year. Every time the player caught a touchdown, Davy caught him. The memories are forever inked on his arm.

“The first one was in 1998 against the Bengals,” said Davy as he showed off Cincinnati’s logo tattooed on his forearm. “The last was 2008 versus the Broncos.”

So what does Davy’s wife say about all of this?

“That’s her right there,” he said while pointing to a picture. “In the purple hair, rubbing Adrian (Peterson’s) arm.”

She’s a good sport and that’s probably a good thing. Every corner of Davy’s house is crammed with something Vikings.

“I don’t even collect stuff anymore,” said Davy. “I used to. Now I give everything away to charities because I don’t have any more room.”

Not in his home. But there’ll always be a place for the Vikings in Davy’s heart.