Chris Jericho’s Surprise Role in Vikings’ Schedule Announcement
Chris Jericho found himself stepping into unfamiliar territory when he took part in the Minnesota Vikings’ schedule announcement video for the upcoming season.
His wife, Jessica, and son, Ash, are devoted Vikings fans, making his connection to the team an easy one. This strong family tie sparked the invitation for him to appear in the video, which debuted on May 14.
The 55-year-old wrestling star joined in not just as a family member but as an enthusiastic supporter of the team.
Originally, Jericho thought he’d just provide some quick audio reading on his way to Minnesota. However, upon arrival, he quickly realized that the task at hand was much more involved than he anticipated.
Each year, NFL teams come up with unique and creative ways to announce their schedules, and this year was no exception. From the Jets’ paint-mixing to the Ravens’ parodying of “Wedding Crashers,” the approaches can be quite diverse.
“I didn’t really understand how elaborate these videos could be,” Jericho remarked. “I figured I’d just read a line saying something like, ‘Hey, it’s Chris Jericho, Vikings vs. Chargers.’ But, wow, was I mistaken.”
Instead, he found himself playing a waiter serving a 17-course meal to Vikings kicker Will Reichard, each course representing the teams Minnesota will face this season.
Reichard surprises Jericho by ordering everything on the impressive menu while Jericho adds some humor in between shots of chefs prepping the dishes. At one point, Reichard gets a call from teammate Justin Jefferson, convincing everyone to join in.
Reflecting on the experience, Jericho noted, “I flew in, had a blast working with Will Reichard, and contributed to the script. We came up with some fun ideas, and I think the end result exceeded expectations. The feedback has been positive, and there were some surprising reactions.” He admitted he enjoys opportunities like this.
After returning to AEW in April following a year away, Jericho is also leaning more into acting. He’s received offers for roles in two horror films, “Country Hearts” and the AMC project “Dark Match,” both set for 2023-2024.
“I felt compelled to start auditioning more,” he explained.
His recent projects include guest spots on CBS’s “Truckers” and Apple TV’s “Margo’s Got Money Trouble,” where he worked alongside Nick Offerman and Nicole Kidman.
Jericho will also feature in the next season of “Dexter: Resurrection.” He teased about a significant role in an upcoming Amazon project, although details remain under wraps.
He expressed a sense of momentum building both with his band Fozzy and his podcast, “Talk is Jericho,” similar to what he experienced in wrestling. “I feel like something similar is brewing on the acting front,” he said, optimistic about finding balance. “I’m committed to AEW, but there’s also room for other projects, and now feels like the right time to dive in.”
