The artistic stylings of former Minnesota Vikings Jim Marshall and Matt Blair will join the works of Carl Eller on display at the new U.S. Bank Stadium, the team announced Tuesday.
Blair's photography is relatively well known from his playing days. "His photos will provide fans with a unique and poignant view into one man's career and the team for which he played," according to a news release from the Vikings Tuesday.
Vikings chief operating officer Kevin Warren said the team is proud to honor the players who "have maintained a deep connection to the organization following their successful football careers."
Eller was selected as one of the original 34 artists whose work will be displayed in the new $1.1 billion building expected to open in August for the 2016 NFL season. The team now has selected 44 artists, including 36 from Minnesota. The privately funded project is expected to included 500 original works.
Marshall's work was singularly focused on the nickname he gave himself: silver eagle. During his 17-year career, he regularly drew an eagle on his playing gear that "became synonymous with the Viking legend," according to the team's announcement.
He was inspired by the Odin's raven on the flags on medieval Vikings' long ships. The bird's ferocity held meaning for Marshall, and he began to fashion his own version of the symbol. He now will recreate the "silver eagle" for the new stadium collection, the team announced.
Eller works with ceramics on his own potter's wheel. He's going to create a piece for the stadium drawing on his summers on lakes and fishing.
Eller and Marshall were defensive ends on the Vikings line known as the "Purple People Eaters."
