On The Ground At 2017 Vikings Training Camp (Videos and Photos)

Earlier this week, iFolloSports.com was on hand at the Minnesota Vikings 52nd and final training camp, held at Minnesota State University, in Mankato, Minnesota. The city of Mankato, which is about 80 miles south of US Bank Stadium (located in downtown Minneapolis), has been the summer training camp headquarters for the Vikings since 1965. Next year, the club will move into a new practice facility, and as part of the modern NFL's latest trend, starting next summer, the Vikings will hold camp at the under-construction Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center training facility, which will include a high school size stadium.

The Vikings new HQ will be located in the Twin Cities suburb of Eagan, Minnesota, only 12 miles from downtown Minneapolis and more importantly, 9 miles from the Minneapolis/St. Paul airport, making the setting way more convenient for fans.

It will certainly be more geographically convenient for Vikings fans to attend camp at the state-of-the-art facility, in the Twin Cities, but summers in Mankato will be missed. Similar to MLB spring training, Mankato became the center of the Vikings universe every July and August, to the great benefit of many local restaurants, bars and shops.  

Below are a series of iFolloSports.com original videos and photos, chronicling the scene at 2017 Vikings camp.

Many of the team’s stars arriving before the afternoon practice, including QB Sam Bradford, cornerback Xavier Rhodes, tight end Kyle Rudolph and defensive backs Harrison Smith and Terence Newman.  

Kicker Kai Forbath signing autographs after practice.

Defensive end Datone Jones interacting with patrons.

A banner thanking Mankato and the school for hosting the Vikings (below and upper right).