Fans stunned by ‘Minnesota Miracle’
January 15, 2018
Fans in attendance at Walk On’s Bistreaux and Bar on Sunday did not anticipate the wild ending in what became known as the “Minnesota Miracle.”
With ten seconds remaining, Case Keenum dropped back to pass and found receiver Stefon Diggs, who slipped the tackle of Saints cornerback Marcus Williams, running 61 yards to the end zone as time expired sealing the 29-24 victory and knocking the Saints out of the playoffs.
After the game, both Saints and Vikings fans were left speechless from the historic finish.
Vikings fan Chip Schloesser drove almost 1,200 miles from Minnesota to New Orleans to take a cruise with his friends and stopped into Walk On’s to catch the game.
By the end of the game, he was at a loss for words.
“I’m still in shock. I have no idea what actually happened there,” said Schloesser. “I’m happy for Minnesota, because that usually isn’t the way it turns out for the Minnesota people, but yea, we’re happy, we’re very happy.”
Just before the Vikings got the ball back to steal away the victory, the Saints went up 24-23 on a 43-yard field goal by kicker Will Lutz with just 25 seconds remaining.
The bar erupted with chants of “Who Dat’s” and Saints fan Robert Daughtry was certain the Saints had the win locked.
“I thought this was our year, but apparently it’s not,” said Daughtry. “I mean Diggs made a great catch.”
Walk On’s manager Patrick Breen felt the wave of emotions throughout the game and said he was glad to have all the fans in attendance at the bar.
“The turnout was fantastic. I wish we could’ve won, but you know, it was a great game. It was very close,” said Breen. “The Vikings fans were amazing also. We had a great time and I wish we could do it again.”
For Vikings fans, they said they were happy to make it to the NFC Championship game and one step closer to Super Bowl LII, which will be held at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis in February.
“They have a saying up in Minnesota right now that’s going around. It says: ‘Bring it home.’ That’s what we’re going to do. Hopefully they’re going to bring it home,” said Schloesser.
Saints fans were still reeling after the game that kept them on the edge of their seats. But despite the heartbreaking loss, Daugtry said the team still has the potential to be a contender in the NFC for the next few years and had a message for Who Dat Nation.
“Sean Payton is our coach. Drew Brees is our quarterback. Our team is definitely looking up and not down. We’ll be back next year. Oh we’ll be back, better than ever,” said Daughtry.