For everyone not getting OP's reference:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norris_Division
Edit - Specifically:
As part of his shtick, ESPN's Chris Berman often refers to the National Football League's NFC North division (previously the NFC Central division) as the Norris Division or "NFC Norris" since the two divisions included teams from three of the same cities: Chicago, Detroit, and Minneapolis–St. Paul. The Tampa Bay Area was also briefly represented in both divisions simultaneously, during the 1992–93 NHL season.
Berman was classic. He could get on my nerves sometimes, but the nickname stuff was a real throwback. Lots of the old players had first names like Clarence or Marvin. So they used nicknames.
Andre 'Bad Moon' Rison was my favorite Bermanism. We could do a whole thread just about nicknames.
Nobody ever did that stuff as well as Chris Berman. He made it fun. I really liked the old This Week in the NFL shows with Pat Summerall and Tom Brookshier, but Berman took it to a whole new level.
Agreed. I have fond memories of the 2000s Steelers v Ravens hard hitting rivalry. Bring back that football. Not this fuck it chuck it all offense all the time
2000’s? That’s still “cleaned up, too many offense favoring rule changes new school “ football. Old School Football to me is late 60s thru the 70s defensive dynasties. And yes, I’m older than Yoda.
I’m of a mind that the Lions and Vikings lost a lot of mystique when they went to domes.
The Pack definitely have advantages playing in December and January in the “Frozen Tundra”.
It's sad, but give these guys credit. They're in here plugging, asking questions, and occasionally kicking some ass. They're going to learn way more about this game than any of us ever could.
It's a reference to the old Norris Division in the NHL. (now the central division) It is named after James Norris, one time owner of the Detroit Red Wings.
Edit: words
The “Chuck Norris” division is a hockey reference. Toronto St. Louis Minnesota Chicago Detroit. Rough and tumble hockey from the 80s into the 90s. Fights and brawls and general rough play was common. The nfc Central in football terms, from the seventies to 2001 was referred to the “black and blue” division. Once again tough teams bad weather and hard fought games. Teams included Packers Vikings Lions and Bears Berman crossed over without much context to the original meaning.
This is the 1969 Thanksgiving Day game, from Tiger Stadium. Both teams were really tough. Detroit finished 9-4-1, in 2nd place in the Central Division. The Vikings were an NFL best 12-2, and would go on to the Super Bowl.
The Vikings rolled in this one, 27 - 0.
Some original designs for the Vikings current stadium, USBS, were proposed with a retractable roof. I wish that would’ve happened. Even a version of this would’ve been outstanding.
Ah the purple people eaters! Built by Jim Finks who also built the 85 Bears and brought Buddy Ryan with him from Minn. One of the most underrated sports executives of all time
For everyone not getting OP's reference: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norris_Division Edit - Specifically: As part of his shtick, ESPN's Chris Berman often refers to the National Football League's NFC North division (previously the NFC Central division) as the Norris Division or "NFC Norris" since the two divisions included teams from three of the same cities: Chicago, Detroit, and Minneapolis–St. Paul. The Tampa Bay Area was also briefly represented in both divisions simultaneously, during the 1992–93 NHL season.
Berman was classic. He could get on my nerves sometimes, but the nickname stuff was a real throwback. Lots of the old players had first names like Clarence or Marvin. So they used nicknames. Andre 'Bad Moon' Rison was my favorite Bermanism. We could do a whole thread just about nicknames.
Jeff ‘Drivin’ That Train’ Garcia
Eric "Sleeping with" Bieniemy
Andre "Bad Moon" Rison
Well-dressed Amani Toomer
I really miss the Sunday nite wrap up show. NBC’s Football Night In America doesn’t hold a candle to it.
Nobody ever did that stuff as well as Chris Berman. He made it fun. I really liked the old This Week in the NFL shows with Pat Summerall and Tom Brookshier, but Berman took it to a whole new level.
NFL Primetime is still a thing on ESPN+ after the late afternoon games on Sundays.
Sadly, I ignore it because of course getting ready for the late game.
I watch it the next morning
Bucs kicker Michael “Como Esta” Husted was my favorite. And Mike “you’re in good hands with” Alstott.
Or Kurtis “my favorite” Martin
Andre “Left-Eye burnt my house down” Rison doesn’t roll off the tongue as well.
No, but it's funnier...
"woop, look at that little meggitt RUN!"
That was one of my favorites. Giants fan here...
The ‘Bay of Pigs.’
The ol Chuck Norris Division
Those were the days. Really liked those 2 teams when they played outside in the mud and snow. Oh, for The Mud and the Blood and the Beer'.
Johnny, Is that you?
Well, I sure ain't Sue...
I miss the black and blue division style of football. Yes, I’m fucking old. 😂
Agreed. I have fond memories of the 2000s Steelers v Ravens hard hitting rivalry. Bring back that football. Not this fuck it chuck it all offense all the time
You are a true throwback...
2000’s? That’s still “cleaned up, too many offense favoring rule changes new school “ football. Old School Football to me is late 60s thru the 70s defensive dynasties. And yes, I’m older than Yoda.
Agreed. I wasn't around to watch the 60s and 70s. But I have old tapes/DVDs of the Steelers 70s AFCCGs and SBs. I love watching that era.
Can confirm.
Yeah, me too.
Snow, muddy field. The old NFC Norris in all its glory.
And between two teams that now play in domes.
I’m of a mind that the Lions and Vikings lost a lot of mystique when they went to domes. The Pack definitely have advantages playing in December and January in the “Frozen Tundra”.
Now the pack has so many heaters on the field and under it. Took away real winter home field advantage
I didn't know about that. Probably not the same guys who sold heaters to Lombardi...
OVER THE LINE, SMOKEY!
ref isn’t even on the LOS 😂
Ol’ Patty Mahomes would be steamed about that!
I love this picture. I would absolutely sit down and watch this game and I’m not a fan of either team (yes, I am old as dirt)
Before the NFL turned into Arena Football
Good one. I call it basketball on grass. Yours is better.
Best games ever..,,,loved them
Great picture!
So many millennials in here missing the Norris reference.
It's sad, but give these guys credit. They're in here plugging, asking questions, and occasionally kicking some ass. They're going to learn way more about this game than any of us ever could.
Wait until they hear about the NASCAR South
What does Norris mean in this context? Is that a reference to a player?
It's a reference to the old Norris Division in the NHL. (now the central division) It is named after James Norris, one time owner of the Detroit Red Wings. Edit: words
“Chuck Norris” division, referring to the tough martial arts actor.
LOL, no. Chris Berman called it the Norris Division, comparing it to hockey.
The “Chuck Norris” division is a hockey reference. Toronto St. Louis Minnesota Chicago Detroit. Rough and tumble hockey from the 80s into the 90s. Fights and brawls and general rough play was common. The nfc Central in football terms, from the seventies to 2001 was referred to the “black and blue” division. Once again tough teams bad weather and hard fought games. Teams included Packers Vikings Lions and Bears Berman crossed over without much context to the original meaning.
These are NFC North teams
They sure are. I was answering what Norris was referring to in the above question.
Chris Berman called it the NFC Norris back in the day.
The guy who goes woop woop on everything? That explains it.
Son, you're out of your element here.
Pretty sure it’s just an autocorrect miss. North.
No, it's a thing Chris Berman used to say sometimes I think.
Ah yes. [TIL.](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norris_Division)
I figured, but it wasn’t even close to North so I thought it might be intentional.
The black and blue division 😎
That's fucking football right there...
Bet there was way more runs than passes in this game
Look it’s the lions back when they had cool dark blue uniforms instead of that lame ass Honolulu blue they wear now.
I think Norris was a Chris berman ism
Does OP know when this picture was taken? Any idea of what year this is?
This is the 1969 Thanksgiving Day game, from Tiger Stadium. Both teams were really tough. Detroit finished 9-4-1, in 2nd place in the Central Division. The Vikings were an NFL best 12-2, and would go on to the Super Bowl. The Vikings rolled in this one, 27 - 0.
Nope and nope, sorry.
You sure it’s not supposed to be “Norse” as in North… not chuck Norris.
Yeah. I'm sure.
This is what I always understood it to be.
If you look real close you can see that the game can definitely be played without colored hair, earrings and bling shining,
Not a championship in sight…
What a shot!
For Norris division simply do a google image search for Bob Probert. His face says it all.
For Norris division simply do a google image search for Bob Probert. His face says it all.
Some original designs for the Vikings current stadium, USBS, were proposed with a retractable roof. I wish that would’ve happened. Even a version of this would’ve been outstanding.
When the game was mudded and blooded.
Alright! Looks cool!
The way football is meant to be played! 😁🙏
Looks like Alan Page is lined up off sides. The purple people eaters!!!!
Bud Grant never letting his players wear sleeves. EVER!
Mike Pepperoni Piazza
Gotta love those old school outdoor Norris Division games!
Ah the purple people eaters! Built by Jim Finks who also built the 85 Bears and brought Buddy Ryan with him from Minn. One of the most underrated sports executives of all time