There are a number of Minnesota Vikings fans who probably aren’t too happy with placekicker Blair Walsh right about now. Or, in more general terms, there are a number of Minnesota Vikings fans who are probably still in a state of shock that Walsh missed a potential go-ahead 27-yard field goal—a chip shot—against the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Wild Card round last weekend. But, while the reactions that have made their way through the Internet are entertaining to watch, no one feels worse about it than Walsh.
“I’m the one who didn’t do my job,” he said afterward.
But a group of local first graders did their best to cheer Walsh up by sending him encouraging letters, proving once and for all kids are the most empathetic sports fans. This week, Walsh visited the class of children who sent him the letters to thank them for their kindness.
— Rob Olson (@RobOlsonFOX9) January 14, 2016
Vikings kicker Blair Walsh thanks the Blaine first graders who sent him letters. pic.twitter.com/d5pkouCNEz
— Rob Olson (@RobOlsonFOX9) January 14, 2016
"These kids really made a difference in my life so I thought I'd come and help make their day." – @BlairWalsh3
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) January 14, 2016
It was a nice moment that humanizes the whole thing. Walsh is a fine kicker who made 87 percent of his field goals in 2015, including 6-of-8 from beyond 50 yards. For his career, Walsh is 121-of-142 on field goal tries. He missed an important one, but it happens to the best of ’em. A group of first graders were able to understand this, so maybe the rest of us can, too.
(Via For the Win)
