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The New J E T S Chant Leader


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http://www.metro.us/sports/the-man-who-might-be-the-next-fireman-ed/zsJoiw---e84iFEvSWqrk6/

 

The man who might be the next Fireman Ed

Scott Mullery, center, flanked by father and son.

Scott Mullery, center, flanked by father and son.

Scott Mullery

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Ed is an inspiration around the league.

 

http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/minnesota-vikings-mascot-ragnar-wants-contract-negotiation-092515

—  507866363

 

Looks like Ragnar is backing away from his big-money demands.

 

Adam Bettcher
 
 
 
 
 

Ragnar, the mascot who was given a Viking funeral after asking for $20,000 per game, wants to bring his battle axe back to the negotiating table.

Joe Juranitch, the man who has played Ragnar at Minnesota Vikings games for the last 21 years, said Friday that his initial proposal of a 10-year contract and $20,000 per game was just intended to be a starting point in the negotiating process.

He admitted to asking for too big a raise from the $1,500 he made last season, but attributed that to being out of his element.

"I've never written up a contract. That is not my forte. I manufacture sharpening equipment," Juranitch said during a media tour five days after the Vikings announced that they could not reach agreement with him on a new contract. "I called a buddy I thought could help me. I never expected to settle anywhere near certain numbers."

The 54-year-old said the Vikings asked him to draw up a new contract Monday after fans voiced their concerns when they did not see him at the home opener against Detroit on Sunday. Juranitch watched that game on television at his home in Ely, a small town about five hours north of the Twin Cities. He posted a photo on his Facebook account dressed in his traditional horned helmet and fur, holding his axe and looking forlorn as the game played on television in the background.

Juranitch said that about six weeks ago the Vikings told him that they wanted to reduce his role at games and have him retire. The burly, bearded Ragnar would ride a purple motorcycle on to the field during pregame introductions, growl at the opposing team and then dance with the cheerleaders and entertain the fans during the game.

But he was not the team's official mascot. He was an independent contractor that started in 1994 and has been a sidekick of sorts to Viktor the Viking since 2007.

"When I heard that, it was like, 21 years and this is how it's going to end?" Juranitch said. "I'm not ready to retire. The Minnesota Vikings fans don't know I don't want to retire."

Like many of the athletes he has led on to the field over the past two decades, it appears that Juranitch doesn't have the final say about when it's over.

The Vikings did not comment on Juranitch's media tour Friday, instead referring back to a statement they issued Monday and reiterating their respect for his contributions to the organization and plans to honor him at a future game.

"We will always consider Ragnar an important part of Vikings history," that statement read, in part.

History appears to be the operative word, and one that appears to be of utmost importance to Juranitch. He has spent the last two decades building up the character and the brand, launching a website, mingling with fans and becoming a part of the franchise. He spoke of wanting his axe and horned helmet to be displayed in the new stadium that is set to open next season and wanting to have a place in Vikings lore.

"Whether I'm still here or not, my legacy has to go on," he said.

He's not giving up just yet. Juranitch said he's open to talking some more and hopes to be back rampaging the sideline soon.

"I believe that I'll be back," he said. "I honestly believe that in my heart because I know the fans want me back."

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

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Do people really think Ed created that chant ? I liked him leading it and all,  but it predates him.

Anyhoo I'm glad the debate is over. Maybe now we can all just happily move on and yell the dammed chant again.

Woody and the Jets have their own revisionist side of Jets history. I remember Herm saying in 2002 after the Jets won the division that it was the first time they had won the division since the 60's lol, not even knowing or realizing they won it four years earlier before the new regime took over.

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Do people really think Ed created that chant ? I liked him leading it and all,  but it predates him.

Anyhoo I'm glad the debate is over. Maybe now we can all just happily move on and yell the dammed chant again.

I like Fireman Ed, but it certainly does predate him.  I remember the chant back in the 70's at Shea, and even in the early days at Giants Stadium when the opposite end-zone sections would compete who could do it the loudest.

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Thank Goodness

 

No more free lower level seats with no PSLs

 

No more all expenses paid by the Jets free road trips, although he's now into schnurring them from the Billboarding media whores

 

 

Spoken like a true longtime Jets fan..................NOT 

Did you happen to see what other teams paid mascots most notedly the Vikings. 

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I like Fireman Ed, but it certainly does predate him.  I remember the chant back in the 70's at Shea, and even in the early days at Giants Stadium when the opposite end-zone sections would compete who could do it the loudest.

Exactly. This is my childhood memory of being at Jets games. Big fat bearded drunk men would lead us in an end zone to end zone melee and it was awesome. Truth is it has much more impact when the entire stadium does it at once and Ed certainly helped create that when one of the camera men put his mug on the big screen, but talking like he created it is bizarre to me. No one remembers or cares about anything anymore. Such horse sh*t!

Waaaa Waaaa Waaaaa  :(

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Was great to hear it again.  No matter which moron has an issue with fans having fun at an entertainment event.

was great to have something to cheer about, you mean right? Lol what a coincidence that the Jets stop sucking and it's all about Ed and the chant. Please

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#JerkJetsfan (raises hand) #Notarealjetsfan (raises hand) will wear all green tomorrow and frown on chant being back only because of Ed or his hand picked successor, and of course the Jets play has nothing to do with it lol 

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Any chance we can nab Ragnar from the Vikings? Talk about a free agent signing, Ragnar would electrify.  

This guy is not the first RAgnar. The first RAgnar was in Super Bowl IX against the steelers, like ED, he retired. Couldn't you tell the difference?

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#JerkJetsfan (raises hand) #Notarealjetsfan (raises hand) will wear all green tomorrow and frown on chant being back only because of Ed or his hand picked successor, and of course the Jets play has nothing to do with it lol 

I don't think Ed handpicked his successor. It was definitely his idea to hand it off to multiple people, Ed wanted to do that. But I read that Ed met one of the new guys an hour before the game started.

It doesn't matter, the chant will live. Hopefully Ed chimes in from time to time and does it in big spots, that would be great.

We don't have to deal with the fan contest anymore. So the chant will live.

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was great to have something to cheer about, you mean right? Lol what a coincidence that the Jets stop sucking and it's all about Ed and the chant. Please

if that's what someone takes from this, there's no point I guess. Lol.  The chant lived for years, good seasons, bad seasons, good games, bad games.  Nothing wrong with having fun at games 

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So much SAR here, yet so not SAR. 

sorry I didn't mean to be a DB. I just saw a video the other day with fireman Ed and the two new dudes and had the passing thought of feeling really bad for the folks sitting behind them. As I mentioned, I love the chant and wish Ed would keep doing it.

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