Minnesota Vikings

Original Vikings mascot: 'I wouldn't have asked for the money'

Published Sep. 23, 2015 11:36 a.m. ET

foxsports

The Minnesota Vikings mascot controversy continues, as Ragnar's predecessor has now come out against him.

Hub Meeds was the original Vikings mascot from 1970-1992. He saw the reports that Joe Juranitch, the man who plays Ragnar, wanted to be paid $20,000 per game and said that he would never have engaged in such a contract negotiation, according to Lou Raguse of KARE 11.

"I felt it wasn't right to try and negotiate a big contract or anything. If they wanted to offer me money, then I took it. But otherwise, I felt I'm doing a service to fans, mostly," Meeds told KARE 11.

Meeds, 81, said he was only paid about $3,000 per season during his final nine seasons as Minnesota's mascot, per KARE 11. For him, pumping up the fans and watching the Vikings win was enough of a payment.

"I wouldn't have asked for the money. I didn't think he should," Meeds said, via KARE 11.

(h/t KARE 11)