The Vikings and former head coach Brad Childress are denying allegations that they ran a bounty system in 2008-09 that was similar to the one that the Saints ran. 
 
“It was part of the culture. I had coaches start a pot and all the veterans put in an extra $100, $200, and if you hurt someone special, you get the money,” former offensive lineman Artis Hicks told Deadspin.

Childress, who is currently the co-offensive coordinator of the Chiefs, told ESPN, "I had a great opportunity to coach a lot of great people there, including Artis Hicks, at the Minnesota Vikings. I have too much respect for the Wilf family [and] professional football to have anything to do with a bounty system. I'm going to let it stand at that.’'

Current and former Vikings’ players are also denying any knowledge of the bounty system. Defensive end Brian Robinson, who has been on the team since 2007, says he hasn’t heard of any bounty system. "I had a great opportunity to coach a lot of great people there, including Artis Hicks, at the Minnesota Vikings. I have too much respect for the Wilf family [and] professional football to have anything to do with a bounty system. I'm going to let it stand at that.’'

The Vikings are familiar with the bounty system, since the Saints allegedly were targeting Brett Farve in the 2010 NFC Championship Game. It is important to note that Childress was the one who informed the NFL about the bounty on Farve after hearing it from a player.