Kevin O’Connell had a little surprise waiting for Paul Allen on Tuesday, and it turned a routine radio conversation into a moment the longtime Vikings voice won’t forget.
The Minnesota head coach joined Allen on his daily KFAN show, and most of the discussion centered on the Vikings’ trip to Chicago this weekend. Minnesota is heading into its second straight divisional game to open the 2026 season, while the Bears come in at 1-0 with an early shot at the NFC North lead.
But the conversation shifted once the topic moved to Allen’s looming 500th game behind the microphone for the Vikings. According to the team’s own research, including O’Connell’s, that milestone will come in week 6 against the Indianapolis Colts. There was some back-and-forth about whether the Colts game in week 7 is actually the 500th, but O’Connell had something else in mind either way.
He offered Allen the chance to sound the gjallarhorn before kickoff.
Allen’s reaction said it all.
KOC: “We were thinking the right way to celebrate [your 500th game] might be to have you sound off the gjallarhorn for that football game.”
PA: “Oh wow, come on man, really?!”
KOC: “My biggest challenge for you is, are you going to be able to get back to the booth or is Pete going to have to call the boom? That’s my biggest question to you.
PA: “I don’t care. Yeah, Bercich on the boom, you’ve got it, right?”
Berchich: “Yeah, I got it.”
KOC: “Can you imagine US Bank Stadium when you’re up there?”
PA: “I’m In. If you’re serious, I’m in.
KOC: I couldn’t be more serious.”
PA: “Thank you, I really appreciate it. You’re very nice, man. Thank you.”
Allen is in his 25th season calling Vikings games, and the milestone fits the kind of run he’s built in Minnesota. The DC-born, Cali-raised broadcaster arrived in the Twin Cities in 1998, when he started working at KFAN and also called horse races at Canterbury Park.
He still does both jobs. Allen began calling Vikings games in 2001, and over the years he has become one of the most recognizable voices in sports, both in Minnesota and beyond.
Minnesota has had plenty of strong broadcasters come through over the years, but Allen has been the constant. That’s why so many Vikings fans have grown up hearing the same voice through all the highs and lows, with Allen narrating some of their most memorable football moments.
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