Short answers, pulled from the story.
The Minnesota Vikings joined the NFL for the 1961 season, the league's 42nd regular season. Their founders had declined to become charter members of the American Football League, choosing the older league instead.
The Minnesota Vikings selected halfback Tommy Mason from Tulane University with the first overall pick in the 1961 NFL draft, held on the 27th and the 28th of December, 1960, at Philadelphia's Warwick Hotel.
The Green Bay Packers won the 1961 NFL Championship Game, shutting out the New York Giants 37-0 at City Stadium in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on the 31st of December, 1961.
Paul Hornung, halfback for the Green Bay Packers, was named the 1961 NFL MVP by both the Associated Press and United Press International. Y. A. Tittle of the New York Giants received the MVP honor from the Newspaper Enterprise Association.
Mike Ditka, tight end for the Chicago Bears, was named the 1961 NFL rookie of the year by both the Associated Press and United Press International.
The 1961 season expanded the schedule from 12 games per team to 14 games per team. That 14-game schedule remained in place for 17 years.