Yesterday, we brought you the story of first graders at Minnesota’s Northpoint Elementary School writing letters of encouragement to Blair Walsh after he missed 27-yard chip shot against the Seahawks to the end the Vikings’ season.
“For Blair Walsh: Keep on trying. Puppies are cute,” one student so eloquently wrote.
The letters were most likely used as an exercise of compassion and empathy and not as a tool to bait the NFL kicker into showing up to the elementary school to personally thank the children.
But that’s exactly what the 26-year-old University of Georgia alum did.
“Hey guys, what’s going on?” Walsh said with a wave as he entered a room full of thirty or so children.
Follow @BlairWalsh3's visit to 1st graders on @Snapchat – Vikings. pic.twitter.com/sdk0dx4TlW
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) January 14, 2016
“Thank you very much for all the letters and cards you wrote,” he told the kids. “It was very touching to me. … A lot of them were very pretty and creative. … I will cherish them forever. I take accountability and ownership. And that’s a big lesson for you.”
— Rob Olson (@RobOlsonFOX9) January 14, 2016
"For them to show this empathy and kindness towards me is remarkable." – @BlairWalsh3
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) 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
Walsh opened up the floor for questioning after saying his bit and the questions were predictably lunacy coming from first graders’ mouths.
“Do you have a guinea pig?” one student eagerly asked, to which Blair responded “No, but my family has a poodle.”
The Pro Bowl kicker then took the time to sign Blair Walsh trading cards, miniature Vikings helmets and other miscellaneous items for the kids.
.@BlairWalsh3 didn't come away from Northpoint Elementary empty handed. pic.twitter.com/CYiDIMwOXi
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) January 14, 2016
Can this dude have possibly handled this any more gracefully? Tip of the cap to Blair. Whatta guy.
P.S. A little perspective.
On the other hand, Walsh was the only Viking to put points on the board… so there's that…
— Rob Olson (@RobOlsonFOX9) January 10, 2016
[h/t For the Win]