Graders read encouraging letters to Vikings kicker who missed game

Knowing the road to success sometimes has some bumps is a good lesson for kids everywhere, and Blair Walsh missing that field goal can be a great example of that.

Walsh was supposed to return home to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., but actually pushed his flight back a day in order to visit the kids.

Walsh said he has received words of encouragement from teammates, players and coaches around the league and NFL alumni, but it was “unbelievable” to receive support from the young students.

Included among the questioning was whether Walsh owns a guinea pig, according to news reports. “They just know that I’m a Vikings player”, Walsh said. He spoke to the class and thanked them for their kind deeds. “It says a lot about you guys that you were willing to do that and to say such nice things”.

“These kids don’t know me”.

Walsh’s father, Joe, pointed out the project to him once it was picked up by Minnesota media.

“Dear Blair Walsh”, wrote one student.

Northpoint first-graders had been learning about expressing care for others. So I just came up with: “We’re writing letters”.

The restaurant tweeted an offer for the “Blair Walsh Special”, a pizza that only has toppings on the left side.

Walsh talked to the kids as a group and then visited each of the four classes.

“This is really important”, Walsh said.

Afterwards, Allen took to Twitter, calling the game one of the “most memorable” that he has ever called.