Vikings Check down call, Purple Rain

[ErnieDiGregorio]

http://www.espn.com/blog/minnesota-vikings/post/_/id/19538/teddy-bridgewaters-new-line-call-pays-tribute-to-prince

MANKATO, Minn. -- Peyton Manning had "Omaha." Aaron Rodgers has "New York Bozo." And now Teddy Bridgewater might have his own signature call at the line of scrimmage, to pay tribute to a Minnesota musical icon.

During the Minnesota Vikings' first padded practice of training camp on Sunday, Bridgewater could be heard calling out a check at the line using the words "Purple Rain," the name of Prince's seminal 1984 film and album. The musician, who was born in Minneapolis, opened Paisley Park Studios in the Twin Cities suburbs and introduced the world to the "Minneapolis Sound," also was an avid Minnesota sports fan who recorded a fight song for the Vikings after attending their 2010 NFC divisional playoff win over the Dallas Cowboys.

Prince, who died following a prescription drug overdose in April, will be honored at the Vikings' new stadium with a tribute concert on Oct. 13. He'd reportedly been in talks for a concert at U.S. Bank Stadium this August. He is memorialized in a piece of art hanging over several of U.S. Bank Stadium's club areas. And while time will tell if the Bridgewater call sticks, there's a chance the Vikings could hold their own mini-tribute to the legend this fall.