Max Birdwell, 4, kicks a football from the hold of Minnesota Vikings kicker Blair Walsh during a visit to Northpoint Elementary School, Thursday, Jan. 14, 2016, in Blaine, Minn.
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He says he’ll “cherish… forever” the letters the students wrote to him during a lesson on empathy. The Minnesota Vikings kicker missed a very short game-winning field goal, which ended the Vikes’ playoff hopes on Sunday afternoon. He signed autographs, putting his signature on trading cards, footballs and even a pair of headphones.
‘I know that it can be hard to get through things that are sad. but you have to try and try again, ‘ a student named Sophia said. Walsh’s kick, you see, was wide to the left. ‘Everyone makes mistakes sometimes.
The kicker said he received “too many [letters] to count – probably from every one of those kids”.
Blair Walsh was likely having the worst moment of his life following that miss.
Her students made cards for Walsh, each one containing words of encouragement only a 1st grader could imagine. “I felt embarrassed.” Sort of a first grade twist on “he who is without sin” and something 140-character backshooters out there should consider before hitting send.
“All of it is heartwarming to me”, Walsh said. He missed it. Are you kidding me? I like the Seahawks better. “It was important to me to show them right away that, ‘Hey, I’m appreciative of everything you guys are doing for me and the kind gesture you showed toward me'”.
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Walsh high-fives a young fan.
