Maria Hauger
The Vikings have been a part of Maria's life for as long as she can remember – and, truthfully, even before that.
According to Maria's mother, her first words were "Johnny Randle baby," referring to the Hall of Fame defensive tackle who remains among her favorite Norseman to this day.
Season tickets have been in Maria's family since the Vikings inaugural 1961 season, and she rarely misses a home game, day at Vikings Training Camp, or team-hosted event. It's easy to spot her at U.S. Bank Stadium, as she typically wears her Justin Jefferson jersey, crazy Vikings leggings, purple shoes and bracelet that contains U.S. Bank Stadium turf from the "Minneapolis Miracle" game. Maria travels to multiple Vikings road games each season to cheer on her beloved team, and she even traveled to London in 2022 to support them across the pond.
Maria resides near the Vikings team facility in Eagan, Minnesota, and her home includes a room dedicated solely to her fandom and purple-and-gold memorabilia. For Halloween last season, she dressed up as "Kirko Chainz." And come December, she sets up her Vikings-themed Christmas tree.
Maria is motivated in all aspects of her life by the Vikings. She is an avid runner and spends many of her long runs listening to Vikings press conferences, radio programs, or team-generated content. She prays for the Vikings health and success daily. As an exercise physiologist, she enjoys connecting with her clients over shared Vikings fandom; she loves inspiring others to achieve their health and fitness goals, and she roots every game day for the Vikings to achieve their ultimate Super Bowl goal, as well. She loves the life lessons she's learned from Vikings football, including using adversity as an opportunity. The Vikings inspire her to be her best.
In addition to supporting the team, Maria supports community initiatives championed by the Vikings organization, including rappelling down the Omni Viking Lakes Hotel the past two years in order to raise money for individuals experiencing homelessness. She has been a longtime supporter of Thielen Foundation, started by former Vikings WR Adam Thielen and is additionally involved with local nonprofit, Best Christmas Ever.
Maria eats, sleeps and breathes the Minnesota Vikings and is well-deserving as the 2023 Vikings Fan of the Year.