Minnesota First Graders Send Letter Of Encouragement To Vikings Kicker Blair Walsh

Even in a team sport, most games will be decided on the performance of one individual. For the Minnesota Vikings, that individual was kicker Blair Walsh, who shanked what could have been a game-winning field goal this past Sunday, turning him into the goat.

After the game, Walsh reportedly sat in tears at his locker; at the same time, he was being raked over the coals by Vikings fans everywhere. Some other fans–first graders at Northpoint Elementary–are voicing the opposite opinion by sending Walsh letters of support.

“I knew that Mr. Walsh probably felt horrible about it,” Julie Offerdahl, the class’ teacher, told the Star Tribune. “I also knew it would be a good teachable moment for the kids.”

Each student then penned a note to the kicker urging him to keep his head up. Messages ranged from, “You are handsome. … Don’t worry. It’s just a game,” to “Keep on trying. Puppies are cute.”

Walsh received the notes and thanked the class personally on Thursday morning. “Thank you very much for all the letters and cards you wrote,” he told the kids, according to the Star Tribune. “It was very touching to me. A lot of them were very pretty and creative.… I will cherish them forever.”

“It was pretty unbelievable,” the kicker said. “It really made a difference in my life.… It’s really important because these kids don’t know me.”

Photo: Blair Walsh of the Minnesota Vikings prepares for a kickoff by Joe Bielawa via Wikimedia Commons.