Viking For Life: A Four-Decade Football Love Affair

by Scott Studwell, Jim Bruton

An unforgettable look at a lifetime of Vikings football packed with Studwell’s insights into the game, on and off the field. In professional football, careers are often short and turnover is a constant. So when one man’s career spans more than four decades with one organization, it is quite an achievement.

Scott Studwell did just that with the Minnesota Vikings. As a linebacker, Studwell totaled a Vikings record 1,981 tackles in 14 seasons, reaching two Pro Bowls. After retiring as a player after the 1990 season, Studwell moved into the Vikings’ player personnel department and served as the team’s Director of College Scouting. In Viking for A Four-Decade Football Love Affair , Studwell shares stories from the Vikings teams of the 1970s and ’80s under head coaches Bud Grant and Jerry Burns, teams that reached two NFC championship games.

He also provides rare insight into his three decades in the Vikings’ scouting department and draft room, during which he helped the Vikings identify countless stars, including Randy Moss, Adrian Peterson, and Harrison Smith.

In the pages of this striking memoir, Studwell shares a passion for the Vikings that he calls “a dream come true.” 

240 pages, Hardcover

Published September 7, 2021

Reviews

[Terry · Rating 3 out of 5]

He repeats himself a lot. Would have liked to read about players he scouted that made it or fell short. Also would have enjoyed more stories about his playing days. The book was a little too vanilla. Great Viking but wish the author could have drawn more out of Studwell.

Same vanilla as the Bud Grant book he wrote.

[Robert Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good book overall. I liked the story telling and some of the pulling back the curtain you may not hear or read about as a casual football fan. As a fan of the Vikings, I recommend this to read and would enjoy it as much as I did.

[BD Strub · Rating 1 out of 5]

Love the cover. Loved the author as a player. Did not enjoy this book.

If you are looking for funny locker room stories and recaps of wild nights during training camp in Mankato, look elsewhere.

I learned more about the player Scott Studwell, both his on field leadership and his off the field shenanigans, in Rashad, the autobiography by former Viking wide receiver Ahmad Rashad.

All that said, I like the way the book jacket looks and how this book looks on my shelf of Vikings, Twins and North Star related books.

[Steve Jensen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I definitely agree with the prior comments about the repetitiveness in this book However, you might read it like you were sitting around a fire at the lake, listening to Scott Studwell tell stories.
This was a fun and quick read, especially a recommend for any Vikings fan who likes to hear about the past players, coaches, and the scouting perspective.