When the first-graders who sent sympathy cards to Vikings kicker Blair Walsh met him Thursday, they were more interested in getting autographs and high-fives and learning about his personal life than further discussion about his season-ending missed field goal Sunday.
Walsh told the kids he's 25, his family has a poodle, he lives in Uptown and he doesn't have a guinea pig. "Oh yeah," he wants to play in the new stadium, he said, then asked if the students would be attending games there. The kids responded with enthusiastic cheers. As for being cursed at, he said, "It happens. Trust me."
Nobody did anything but smile during his hourlong visit to Northpoint Elementary School in Blaine. Because his missed field goal was the disappointing finale of the 10-9 loss Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks, Walsh has received lots of media and fan criticism.
But it was the kids' act of kindness toward him that got his attention. Walsh said he first heard of the letters from his father, then went online to look. "They weren't hard to find," he said.
He was so touched to hear from children who didn't know him that he pushed his flight home back a day to make the Northpoint visit. "I wanted to show these kids that I cared and I didn't want to wait until spring," he said.
As he stood before the students in dark jeans and a fitted gray T-shirt, he thanked them. "It was very touching to me. … A lot of [the cards] were very pretty and creative. … I will cherish them forever," he said.
As he has since Sunday, he made no excuses. "I take accountability and ownership" for the missed kick, Walsh said amid more than a dozen news reporters and cameras. "And that's a big lesson for you."
The kicker also told them about the importance of persistence. "It's what you have to do," he said.