As Vikings Football Returns, Take a Moment to Remember More Important Work
Vikings football is back. For a lot of people, the wait has been far too long. Seeing the players return to TCO Performance Center — which is to say nothing of the insight that was gleaned at Kevin O’Connell’s and Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s presser — was therefore a welcome sight.
Do note, though, that work exists beyond the football field that is more important than the sport.
Yes, football is a tremendous game, but it’s only that: a game. People from within the organization — ownership, coaches, executives, the players, broader staff — have been doing various things to better their communities. To that end, consider just a brief update on some of the work that has taken place in the summer.
Vikings Football Returns, So Slow Down to Appreciate More Important Work
Start off with a basic reality: the Vikings — as a team and as individual people — are far from perfect.
Fallible humans are prone to making mistakes (a reality I too often confront). One thinks of the recent Jordan Addison legal resolution to last summer’s driving infraction. But while we can and should discuss these shortcomings, we should be enthusiastic about highlighting the excellent moments from the team. Indeed, there are plenty of great moments from the Vikings over these past several weeks and months, all of which deserve attention.
One thinks of Justin Jefferson — a legit superstar — making time for Make a Wish Foundation. More specifically, Jefferson met with Aiden Yang (and broader family), a young lad who overcame his cancer diagnosis largely due to help from his brother, Ryan.
Someone who exists in Jefferson’s stratosphere has basically limitless options when it comes to how to spend his time, but the receiver took time to meet with Yang. Kevin O’Connell sent along a special message before the young fella got brought out to TCO Performance Center. Defensive tackle Harrison Phillips made an appearance. So, too, did a lot of the staff members. He signed a contract and then watched film with Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. He does a griddy competition against Justin Jefferson in the middle of the team, too.
One then thinks of the Vikings’ organization donating $500,000 to help with the relief efforts in the aftermath of the Texas flooding: “The Minnesota Vikings and the Wilf Family have committed $500,000 to support rescue and recovery efforts from the devastating floods in Kerr County and Texas Hill Country.”
At TCO Stadium, Josh Metellus took some time to meet, guide, and coach up some young players. Ryan and Emma Kelly continued working toward ensuring women can be healthy in their pregnancies, saying on social media: “Emma and I will never give up the fight for helping families have safe and healthy pregnancies!” Apparently, the rugged center who often wears a scowl was part of a team to “assemble 1000 mom-to-be kits” that were “designed to bring joy and support to expectant moms.”
Look around a bit further and one could surely find other examples, such as the Vikings supporting women’s flag football, Walter Rouse doing work with Gigi’s Playhouse, and others.
Vikings football can be very exciting. Better yet, Vikings football is important to a lot of people. Do note, though, that Vikings football is only part of the mix. What the players and the organization more broadly does away from the field is tremendously important.
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