National Football League

The Vikings practice squad: 'Ain't no stability in this job'

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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For the guys on the Minnesota Vikings practice squad, life isn’t as glamorous and their time in the National Football League could end at a moment’s notice.

I’m sure you’ve heard it a million times. A player was either cut or added to an NFL team’s practice squad or they get elevated to the main roster. But what is this “purgatory” for the players who are good enough to get a longer look but not quite at the level to make the main roster?

Recently, WCCO CBS in Minneapolis took a deeper look into exactly what the practice squad is by talking with some of the players and observing what it is that these individuals do on a daily basis. The results were somewhat surprising.

Check out the great video as shared on the WCCO website:

In the video, the story of Minnesota Vikings practice squad member Toby Johnson was very compelling. He has been on 4 squads over the course of the last year, and has two duffel bags he lives out of in case he has to make another move.

“I kind of tell my family I live my life day to day. I tell everybody that. That’s how you have to live,” Johnson said, adding “Ain’t no stability in this job.”

The mindset of these players is what was really surprising. Despite not getting any of the major fanfare or recognition of players on the major roster, they are constantly working hard to make sure that the team officials recognize them.

Techniques to ensure they are seen include arriving almost an hour early for team meetings and trying to be in places where they know their efforts will be noticed. That means that time in the weight room, meetings, on the practice field, and more make these young men feel as though they are under the microscope.

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“Practice squad, you want to show that you’re dedicated,” Johnson said. “I always be up there. I come just to show my face. I want to keep my face relevant around the building at all times. I want them guys to know that I’m a pro, I’m serious about my job, I want to do whatever I’ve got to do.”

Not only is there no stability or notoriety, but the glamour of the NFL is not there either. The practice squad players have their own parking section at the back of the lot, where they will need to walk from the spot by the dumpsters to the facility and go past all the fancy vehicles owned by the current players.

“You gotta earn it,” Johnson said. “You gotta earn a spot up there.”

It is highly recommended you check out the video and read the full story over on WCCO’s website about the Minnesota Vikings practice squad and how these guys live while hoping for their opportunity to shine. Sometimes, those opportunities come and guys like Adam Thielen or Darius Reynaud find their way to the main roster, but those chances are rare for men working hard to achieve their dreams.

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