Retired Minnesota Vikings Tommy Kramer, Ted Brown, Ed McDaniel to visit Aberdeen for Saturday fundraiser

It all started between a group of friends. 

Greg "Swanny" Swanson and some buddies had planned to go to Arizona last fall to watch the Minnesota Vikings take on the Arizona Cardinals. But those plans were squashed after Swanson was diagnosed with cancer. 

His friends went ahead to Phoenix to watch the game. During the trip, Swanson's buddies, including Mike Imrie, were talking about organizing a get-together.

It snowballed from there. 

“It just kind of exploded from just getting together and having a good time to a huge, big, gigantic fundraiser,” Imrie said. 

Now, three former Minnesota Vikings are coming to Aberdeen to support Swanson. 

“Greg’s like the biggest Vikings fan … He’s the biggest Vikings fan you’ll ever meet. His wardrobe is purple polos,” Imrie said. 

Earlier this month, one of Swanson's friends reached out to former Vikings quarterback Tommy Kramer on Twitter, asking for items to raise money for a silent auction. 

Kramer, who played quarterback for Minnesota from 1977 through 1989, had something else in mind – a road trip to Aberdeen, along with Ted Brown, a former Vikings running back.

Thursday it was announced former Vikings linebacker Ed McDaniel will also visit Aberdeen this weekend.

"(Swanson) couldn't believe it. I called him ... I said, 'You're never going to guess who's coming,' and he responded right away, 'You guys didn't get Kramer did you?'" Imrie said. "He was pretty excited." 

The two have met Kramer before – in Minneapolis after a Vikings game. 

"He's a pretty fun guy to be around. Like I said, should be a good time," Imrie said. 

Brown played for the Vikings from 1979 through 1986, taking many handoffs from Kramer.

Support for Swanson has been overwhelming

Within a week of the fundraiser being posted on Facebook, Imrie said the friends thought the event was “blowing up.”

That was before Kramer and Brown were added to the bill. It really took off from there.

“Just the five or six of us sitting around, didn’t think it’d be this big six, eight months ago. Not even close. So, it’s great. The community is overwhelming,” Imrie said. 

The fundraiser will be from 2 to 8 p.m. Saturday at The Zoo Bar, 1017 S. Main St. Food provided by The Zoo will be available, though donations will be accepted. Weather permitting, there will be a bean bag tournament starting at 2 p.m., along with a beer pong tournament. 

Throughout the day, there will be silent auctions and a live auction The silent auction will include Vikings tickets, Twins tickets, sports memorabilia, gift baskets from local businesses and more.

Imrie said there’s also an online auction at https://jarkauction.com/auctions/greg-swanson-fundraiser/. All proceeds from the event will go to Swanson. 

Kramer, Brown and McDaniel will also be making a stop at Lager’s Inn, 20 Third Ave. S.W., for a couple of hours later in the evening, starting round 6 or 7 p.m. They'll be available for autographs and will have merchandise for sale.

Kramer is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame, having played at Rice. He was an NFL Pro Bowl selection in 1986 and finished his career with 24,777 passing yards.

Brown played college football at North Carolina State and finished his NFL career with 4,546 rushing yards.,

McDaniel played for nine years with the Vikings, from 1992 through 2001. He logged 575 solo tackles, 15 forced fumbles and four interceptions.