Christian Ponder expects to be booed in return to Minnesota
Oakland Raiders backup quarterback Christian Ponder is making his first return to the Twin Cities, as his team will take on the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday night. Ponder is not expecting a warm welcome from his former fans.
"Oh, I’m going to get booed," Ponder told Jimmy Durkin of IBABuzz.com. "I’m trying to figure out, we were talking about it in the quarterback room, what I should do when I get out on the field? Should I take a bow, or what? What’s going to happen? I’m expecting some boos, but it’s all fun though."
Ponder, who signed with the Raiders as an unrestricted free agent this offseason, was the 12th-overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft and spent four seasons with the Vikings. The only season in which he started all 16 games was 2012, when he recorded 2,935 yards, 18 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
"I’m going to enjoy what I’m doing whether fans are cheering or booing," Ponder said, per IBABuzz.com. "If it doesn’t happen, great, if it does happen, I’m prepared."
After losing his starting job with the Vikings to Matt Cassel and Teddy Bridgewater, Ponder is now battling Matt McGloin for the Raiders' No. 2 quarterback role behind second-year pro Derek Carr.
(h/t NFL.com)
