Blair Walsh’s missed 27-yard field goal that sent the Minnesota Vikings home from the playoffs will live on in infamy as one of the most painful things to ever happen to an NFL fanbase (besides losing your team — sorry, St. Louis), but it might have been even worse on Walsh himself.
It’s a lonely feeling to realize how many people probably hate your guts all at once, but one first-grade teacher took it upon herself to show Walsh that he wasn’t alone by having her students write letters of consolation and encouragement to the kicker. They sent along some truly sweet words, like, “Keep on trying. Puppies are cute.”
A few of them tried to empathize with Walsh by sharing stories of their own personal shortcomings, and those were even more adorable.
“I know that it can be hard to get through things that are sad. but you have to try and try again. Everyone makes mistakes sometimes. One time I made a mistake when I was doing a cartwheel. I felt embarrassed. You can still help the Vikings win the Super Bowl next year.
It really is a sweet reminder that sometimes kindness isn’t always conditional. Of course, the teacher who organized the exercise is a Seahawks fan, so of course she was feeling generous. Any day now, we could see a local news report of a bitter Vikings fan teacher having his or her kids send hate mail (please don’t do this).
(Via Minneapolis Star-Tribune)
