Joe Drennan
Sports EditorFor most young Vikings fans it's a dream to grow up and wear the purple and gold while running through the tunnel to the field as their name is being announced for the starting line up. For Forest Lake native Adam Haayer that dream became a reality in the Vikings last game against the Chicago Bears at the Metrodome.
"It was a blast," Haayer said, "Usually I am one of the first guys out. To hear your name announced and have everybody cheer, it was fun."
Haayer was put into the starting line up after Mike Rosenthal went down with an injury.
"Thatís the way the NFL works," Haayer said. "I know that's my role to fill in the void where needed and I have to earn my ropes."
Haayer spent last season on the Vikings practice squad and worked his way back onto the active roster.
"When you get put on the practice squad a lot of guys get down," Haayer said. "I took it as a way to get better."
Haayer came to the Vikings in 2002 after being released from the Tennessee Titans. The Titans drafted Haayer in 2001 from the University of Minnesota where he played for offensive line coach Steve Loney. Loney later left the 'U' in 2002 to coach the Vikings offensive line and convinced head coach Mike Tice to pick up Haayer.
"A lot of guys on this team started out there (on the practice squad) and that was my goal," Haayer said. "I saw that they made their way onto the team and I was going to do the same."
With the goal of making the active roster, Haayer spent most of training camp pushing WWE wrestler Broc Lesner around, while at the same time impressing coaches. The coaching staff liked what they saw in Haayer so they placed him on the active roster as a utility offensive lineman.
It's been good to finally have everything pay off. If it wasn't for my year on practice squad I wouldn't have had the chance to be as versatile as I am.
Growing up in Forest Lake and playing for the Forest Lake High School football team as an All-State defensive end and tight end, Haayer moved on to play tight end and offensive line at the 'U'. Playing for a hometown college is almost enough of a thrill for most people, but Haayer was able to keep his good luck
"My ultimate goal is to break that starting line up and be a starter in the league," Haayer said. "This year I'll be that backup you can depend on and show them I can play more than one position. When next year comes around I can move into a spot and if I have to go somewhere else that's a path I'll have to take."
Family
Haayer and his wife Summer have two sons, Austin and Afton. Austin, now in first grade, is starting to understand what his dad does for a living.
"He's having fun with it now and telling people what I do," Haayer said. "I'll call him up and he'll ask where we are. When we were in Seattle I told him I could see the ocean and he thought that was so cool."
While the average NFL lineman's career isn't as long as a start quarterback or wide receiver, Haayer isn't worrying about life after football.
"Every year when it comes time to go to training camp I really don't think about what if I don't make the team," Haayer said. "I figure I got a degree and I'm a smart guy."
Off season news
During the off season Haayer's dad Herman, was diagnosed with cancer of the salivary glands.
Herman had two operations and underwent chemotherapy and radiation to combat the cancer.
"We're just hoping that he heals up to get him back on his feet and feeling good again," Haayer said.
Because of his illness, Herman has been unable to work for several months and the medical bills are piling up so Adam is organizing a benefit in his dad's honor to raise money for him. The benefit will be Friday, Oct. 15 from 7-10 p.m. at Southwest Junior High located at 943 S.W. 9th Ave. in Forest Lake. Admission to the benefit is $15 for adults and $10 for kids 5-13 with a $50 maximum per family. Tickets are available at the door or donations may be made at any TCF Bank under the name Herman Haayer.
The benefit will have a silent auction featuring autographed Vikings memorabilia such as a Randy Moss and Daunte Culpepper football, signed footballs from Denver Broncos quarterback Jake Plumber, Hall of Fame Vikings safety Paul Krause, University of Minnesota head coach Glen Mason, Morten Andersen, Jim Kleinsaucer, Randy Moss, Corey Chavous, Daunte Culpepper, Michael Strahan of the New York Giants, Jeremy Shockey of the New York Giants, Steve McNair of the Tennessee Titans, Derrick Mason of the Tennessee Titans and a Philadelphia Eagles signed ball.
"I called all my buddies from around the league to get signed balls and stuff," Haayer said.
There will also be a mini Pro Bowl helmet signed by Chavous, Matt Birk and Culpepper, 8x10 pictures signed by Moss and Culpepper, a baseball helmet, picture and ball signed by Paul Molitor and some stuff is still coming in from the Indianapolis Colts and Green Bay Packers.
"My friends have come through big," Haayer said.
Adam, Bryant McKinnie, Moe Williams, Dave Dixon, Morten Andersen, Nat Dorsey, Anthony Herrara, Larry Ned, Matt Birk, Mike Rosenthal, Chris Liwienski, Corey Withrow, Darren Bennett and Adam Goldberg will all be on hand as well for an autograph signing. There will be a Whopper Hopper for the kids and food and music too.
"We're just trying to put this thing together and hopefully raise some money to help with the financial difficulty," Haayer said.
"I just think it puts a lot of stuff in perspective," Haayer said. "I always thought of my dad as a tougher man than me and it puts things in perspective when you see an illness knock a guy like that down."
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