Ragnar is the official, popular, fun-loving mascot of the Minnesota Vikings!  He loves fishing, hunting, football, hunting, snowmobiling, four-wheeling, biking, gardening and being with his wife (not necessarily in that order).

• Joseph Juranitch (a.k.a. Ragnar the Viking) was born in Milwaukee.  Finances were scarce in the Juranitch family due to Joe's father inventing, researching and developing sharpening equipment.

• Joe's elementary years were extremely difficult. In addition to having to change schools often, his teachers all assumed he was just a "lazy kid" and not eager to learn.  Consequently, Joe resorted to developing a very colorful sense of humor and always made a joke out of every situation. Joe's family moved to Ely, Mn when Joe was 15.

• As a junior in high school, Joe started experimenting with marijuana. During his senior year (at age 19), Joe was of drinking age ... a perfect combination for disaster. As Joe became dependent on alcohol, he began to have numerous encounters with the law.

• During his weekend alcohol binges, he met the "love of his life", Laurie Baxter. She also had a severe drinking problem, mixed with various drugs. Soon after high school graduation, Laurie and Joe went their separate ways.

• Five years after graduation, Joe reunited with Laurie and noticed a drastic change in her lifestyle. She told him how difficult her life had become with drinking and drugs. She realized there were no other choices left for her but to make a total life change committed to God.

• At first he was disappointed in her change, but the stress of his family, business and a severe drinking problem eventually convinced him to give his life to the Lord also. In 1987 Joe married Laurie.

• Joe worked at Minnetonka High School as a security officer and is currently the Assistant Dean of Students at the Hopkins School District.  (Wife Laurie also works in the Hopkins District with special needs students.

• In 1993, Laurie convinced Joe to audition for the Minnesota Vikings as their new mascot.  Joe overwhelmingly won the hearts of the Minnesota Viking fans and got the job.  Joe morphed into Ragnar and has been entertaining crowds of all ages ever since. He has not missed a Vikings game since starting in 1994.  He was the first person to use a motorcycle to introduce an event, which has been widely copied in entertainment and professional sport circles. He is the only "human" mascot in professional sports, and is the most widely recognized mascot in the world.

• The Minnesota Vikings have a long-standing history of community involvement and Ragnar is an integral part of this through charity appearances and autograph sessions.  Laurie has taught Ragnar sign language which allows him to communicate with hearing impaired fans. Ragnar also has a special place in his heart for kids with special needs, and he will go out of his way to uplift them at any chance he gets.

• In 1982, Joe set the world record for shaving a beard with an axe (8 minutes and 43 seconds) and it still stands today. 

• In 1993, Joe became the Minnesota Vikings Mascot: Ragnar the Viking.

• Ragnar has been in numerous print and film advertisements, fishing shows and movies.

• In 1997 Joe had a role in his first film titled "20/20 Vision", starring Jesse Ventura. J oe's character was Mr. Ferringer, a depressed man that was seeking counseling. Joe's performance was exceptional, and it has led to many more advertisements.