EAGAN, Minn. – The team creates the memories, and Vikings Entertainment Network captures them.
The Vikings had perhaps the most memorable moment in team history last January during the Divisional Round playoff game against the Saints. Stefon Diggs made an incredible catch for a walk-off touchdown, and the play was immediately dubbed the Minneapolis Miracle by "Voice the Vikings" Paul Allen.
In the hours and days after the electric moment, Vikings fans from all over the country sent in cell phone videos documenting the anxiety and anticipation just before the pass and the euphoria that followed.
Those clips were edited by Vikings producer GH Ridpath into a final video (that can be viewed above) that received a Regional Emmy ® Award for Outstanding Editor – News/Sports Saturday night.
"I know I'm going to be a bit biased, but I truly believe our department is the best at what it does in the entire league," Ridpath said. "It's an honor to represent VEN anytime, and even more so when it comes to receiving a Regional Emmy ® Award for our work."
Ridpath added that he appreciated the opportunity to work on such a fun project.
"The edit came together extremely quickly – that's how good of a story this was," Ridpath said. "The pieces/narrative were already there; it just needed a little push. It was so inspiring to see all of the fan videos roll in. It causes you to take a step back and realize what sports really mean to people, and it reminds you why you're in this business in the first place."
The Minneapolis Miracle was one of three VEN productions that were recognized at the 2018 Upper Midwest Emmy Awards.
"Receiving three Regional Emmy ® Awards this year is a direct reflection of the resources and support provided us by the Wilf Family Ownership Group and leadership within the Vikings organization," said Vikings Vice President of Content & Production Bryan Harper.
In the category for Outstanding Promotion: Program – Single Spot, a piece encouraging votes for Everson Griffen to last season's Pro Bowl was honored. The Pro Bowl promotional video was produced, directed and edited by Ryan Thielen, with Harper and Vikings Director of Broadcasting Skip Krueger serving as the executive producer and producer, respectively.
Finally, Vikings Entertainment Network was awarded a Regional Emmy ® Award for Outstanding Commerical – Campaign for its "We Are the North" Minnesota Vikings tickets campaign. The initiative was a collaborative project with Elite Edge Productions and was produced and edited by Ryan Semanko, Ryan Noreen and Vikings Executive Director of Brand & Creative Erin Swartz.
