VIDEO: The First-Ever 'SKOL Chant' at Sunday's Vikings Game

Last night's Minnesota Vikings victory over the Green Bay Packers was a night of firsts.

It was the first regular season game at U.S. Bank Stadium, the first game with new Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford at the helm, and it was the debut of the “Vikings SKOL Chant.”

The SKOL Chant is a modified version of the “Vikings War Chant” that was popularized after the Icelandic National Soccer Team returned home to thousands of fans after it upset England in the Euro 2016.

The chant involves fans raising their arms in the shape of a V, two drum beats, separated by a dramatic pause, a clap and the chanting of “huh” in unison. Tempo increases as the pattern repeats. The modified chant will change “huh” to “SKOL.”

Last night, Vikings legend Fran Tarkenton, as well as Cris Carter and Randall McDaniel, led the chant.

Vikings Vice President of Content and Production Bryan Harper said he and several Vikings employees were first inspired to create the chant after seeing the rousing scene created by the Icelandic National Soccer Team in videos. He then began working on a way to bring it across the Atlantic, according to a news release.

“It was super-intimidating, showing people together in unison. Immediately after it, I saw it and people are texting me,” Harper said in a statement.

“Over the course of the next day, we got hundreds of emails from fans, ‘We’ve got to do this,’ and we’re the only team that can do it.

“This came from the fans. This is the best part about it,” Harper said. “When stuff comes from the fans, it’s more authentic.”

Aron Gunnarsson, the captain of the Icelandic Soccer Team, and Thor Bjornsson, who stars as “The Mountain” in Game of Thrones, appeared in the video that helped transfer the chant to Vikings fans.

“We’re going to take advantage of some of the technical capabilities of the building that you might not be able to do in some other spots to make it uniquely Minnesota,” Harper said. “I can’t wait to see how the fans react.”

An expanded halftime performance Sunday also featured the Minnesota Orchestra and local musicians.

Image: Mike Morbeck via Flickr /Creative Commons