MINNEAPOLIS (AP)  -- Veteran Minnesota Vikings fans who remember the days when the team played all of their home games outdoors are warning their younger comrades to make sure they have the right warm-weather gear for Monday night's game against Chicago at TCF Bank Stadium.

Fans remember December and January games at the old Metropolitan Stadium where most in attendance were decked out in snowmobile suits and more layers of winter wrapping. Longtime ticket holder David Abramson says Vikings fans were always proud that playing in the freezing cold seemed to give the team an advantage.

Legendary Vikings coach Bud Grant is remembered for not allowing heaters on the sidelines. Retired defensive end Jim Marshall of Purple People Eater fame says Grant wanted his team to focus on winning, not the weather.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

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