<cite class="byline vcard top-line"> By Frank Schwab <abbr>4 hours ago</abbr> </cite> Shutdown Corner
In January of 1975, after the Vikings lost to the Steelers in the Super Bowl, Emmett Pearson made a promise. He wouldn't shave his beard until the Vikings won a Super Bowl. He kept that promise, too.
Most likely, Pearson never figured he'd live another 38 years without shaving – a trim, maybe – and die with his beard intact.
The fan from Welch Township, Minn., who got a bit of attention a few years ago when the Vikings almost made the Super Bowl (including a story and video from KARE 11 in Minneapolis), died at 83 years old on Monday, according to his obituary.
Pearson was 31 years old for the Vikings' first season in 1961, and lived until he was 83. And he never saw his team win it all. The Vikings lost four Super Bowls and had a good chance to win it all a few other times, most notably 1998 and 2009, only to fall short in heartbreaking fashion in the NFC championship game.
Pearson seemed to live a good life. He was a farmer, involved in the local school board and his church, and was married to his wife for 56 years, according to his obituary. He is survived by five children and a number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
It's just too bad he couldn't see the Vikings win a Super Bowl and have that celebratory shave
In January of 1975, after the Vikings lost to the Steelers in the Super Bowl, Emmett Pearson made a promise. He wouldn't shave his beard until the Vikings won a Super Bowl. He kept that promise, too.
Most likely, Pearson never figured he'd live another 38 years without shaving – a trim, maybe – and die with his beard intact.
The fan from Welch Township, Minn., who got a bit of attention a few years ago when the Vikings almost made the Super Bowl (including a story and video from KARE 11 in Minneapolis), died at 83 years old on Monday, according to his obituary.
Pearson was 31 years old for the Vikings' first season in 1961, and lived until he was 83. And he never saw his team win it all. The Vikings lost four Super Bowls and had a good chance to win it all a few other times, most notably 1998 and 2009, only to fall short in heartbreaking fashion in the NFC championship game.
Pearson seemed to live a good life. He was a farmer, involved in the local school board and his church, and was married to his wife for 56 years, according to his obituary. He is survived by five children and a number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
It's just too bad he couldn't see the Vikings win a Super Bowl and have that celebratory shave
