Parkettes Asking For Respect From The Vikings

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A group of women who cheered for the Minnesota Vikings for 20 years are being snubbed by the organization they represented.

From 1964 through the 1983-84 NFL season, the St. Louis Park Parkettes cheered for the Minnesota Vikings at Met Stadium.

Now they are concerned their legacy is being ignored.

The group is not being included in the pre-season game where Minnesota Vikings cheerleaders from the past will be recognized.

"It's always been part of my legacy that I was a Parkette and a Vikings cheerleader," said Nancee Wright.

For 20 years the St. Louis Park Parkettes performed at all Minnesota Vikings home games at Met Stadium.

They were looking forward to being recognized for their contributions to the Vikings organization during the upcoming pre-season game at U.S. Bank Stadium.

However, they were told recognition is only going to Vikings cheerleaders after 1984.

Some 312 women put on the Parkette uniform. The squad also won the first battle of the NFL Cheerleaders in 1979.

Additionally, they traveled Europe, performing for the BBC and at the Moulin Rouge in Paris.

They were introduced and accepted as Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders.

"I mean, we paved the path for NFL cheerleaders," Wright said. "There were no NFL cheerleaders when we started."

These women say that now, like Met Stadium, they don't exist to the Vikings organization. They say they only want to be recognized.

The Viking Organization says it meant no ill will towards the Parkettes.

A spokesperson says the Minnesota Vikings cheerleaders officially began in 1984 and that's how far its database goes.

He added that the organization will look into avenues to honor the Parkettes in the future.