Professional athletes know their jobs come with lots of scrutiny, the non-stop spotlight shining on them and lots of highs and lows. And many of Minnesota’s most prominent stars use their position to give back and make the holidays happier for others.
Case in point, Vikings defensive back Xavier Rhodes made sure a ton of toys reached kids at the University of Minnesota’s Children’s Hospital on Monday. Rhodes also helps his former Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher through the kidz1stfund – the charity he supported with custom cleats in Minnesota’s game against Dallas on Dec. 1.
https://twitter.com/NoleGameday/status/810914761315667968
Hours after the Vikings’ biggest loss of the season, tight end Kyle Rudolph and wide receiver Charles Johnson hosted a pack of kids from Children’s Hospital for an airplane flight to the North Pole. A real jaw-dropping, nighttime airplane flight for the kids.
Blessed to get to take a trip to the North Pole with @kylerudolph82 and families of the @umnhealth Masonic Children’s Hospital. pic.twitter.com/V3wW8HNdF8
— Charles Johnson (@MrInkredibleXII) December 20, 2016
: RT UMNChildrens: Who better to guide our kids to the North Pole than KyleRudolph82? Watchkare11's coverage of #RudysRedEyeExpress! …
— Mickey Hayes (@BigVikingzFan) December 20, 2016
The Pro Bowl tight end coordinated schedules with Santa Claus for the special visit.
Check it out! @KyleRudolph82 and @MrInkredibleXII met up with Santa himself during #RudysRedEyeExpress! pic.twitter.com/vPOUx0no5D
— M Health Fairview Pediatrics (@mhfvpediatrics) December 20, 2016
As the Minnesota Wild enjoy the team’s seven-game winning streak, players were also visiting Children’s Hospital on Monday.
We're at @childrensmn to spread some holiday cheer today. 😁 pic.twitter.com/9jDYFyX61N
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) December 19, 2016
Smiles go a long way 😁 @UMNChildrens pic.twitter.com/qxi34Fq0Bm
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) December 19, 2016
Thank you @mnwild for stopping by our St. Paul campus today! pic.twitter.com/oB9t9qi8gT
— Children's Minnesota (@childrensmn) December 19, 2016
Matthew is a super cute #mnwild fan 🤗
"Koivu gets those sneaky goals." 😂 pic.twitter.com/8kAhXcQGzI
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) December 19, 2016
#mnwild stopping by @UMNChildrens too 😁 pic.twitter.com/oWDRdBO2Fu
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) December 19, 2016
