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 Vikings' first padded practice of training camp on Sunday, Bridgewater could be heard calling out a check at the line by yelling "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.