MINNEAPOLIS — You don't have to coax Jonathan Greenard into a competition.

The Vikings outside linebacker eagerly grabbed a controller to play 8-year-old Kyler in Madden, offering a friendly fist bump before putting on his game face.

"You can't beat me in front my friends, now," Greenard quipped.

He and Vikings teammates Bo Richter and Vershon Lee visited Kyler and other patients at M Health Fairview Masonic Children's Hospital Friday afternoon. Running back Zavier Scott, his wife McKenna, Cynthia O'Hara (wife of Senior Offensive Assistant Chris O'Hara) and former Vikings OL Marcellus Johnson (currently on a futures contract with Dallas) also joined, visiting patients on another floor.

"These kids clearly understand the [challenging] situations they're in. We don't want to come in and add anything onto that," Greenard said. "A lot of these patients just want to take their mind off things, so we come in, play some games, laugh, chop it up and just interact with them.

"It's everything that can go miles — and we might not even see the full impact, what it can do for the parents involved, too," he added. "I'm just blessed to be a blessing."

Greenard gave Kyler some good-natured ribbing for being a Dolphins fan but offered genuine compliments when his team scored against Greenard's Vikings.

"C'mon, Harrison! You can't do me dirty like that," laughed Greenard, gesturing at the digitized version of Harrison Smith on the screen following a Miami touchdown.

"These guys had smiles on their faces, some of them told me they don't like the Vikings … I love it," Greenard said. "Because if I can get you to be like that, step outside what you're dealing with, my job is already done. Kudos to these staff here, too — they've been amazing. They make things so much easier for [these patients] as they're dealing with tough times."

In addition to spending time with Kyler, Greenard, Richter and Lee enjoyed a visit with Zach, 13, a diehard Vikings fan who also bonded with the teammates over a conversation about anime; and Will, a 24-year-old AHL hockey player. Will and the Vikings trio made a fast connection over professional athletics and training processes.

Conversation came easy for Greenard, who was making his first hospital visit since joining the Vikings as a free agent in 2024. The father of two — he and wife Alta welcomed their second child, son Jaxsen, just over two weeks ago — said parenthood has expanded his perspective.

"Being here, I'm understanding the blessing that I was able to walk out of the hospital with my daughter and my son with no issues," Greenard said. "When you get here and see these things, you understand not everybody is as fortunate. For us to make this situation a little better, we want to come in and send our sincerest love … and let them know we're here for them."

Prior to room visits, the Vikings players helped host a Valentine's Day party in the hospital's lobby for patients and their families. There, they met a variety of young people that included two newborns who reminded Greenard of his own children.

Patients and their siblings were able to pick out Vikings-themed Valentines, brightly sprinkled donuts and one of several Warmies® stuffed animals for added comfort.

The Vikings also hosted Valentine's Day parties at Children's Minnesota – Minneapolis and Children's Minnesota – St. Paul. Viktor the Viking and Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders made appearances at all three locations, while Vikings Legends Stu Voigt and Ben Williams visited rooms at Children's St. Paul and handed out goodie bags.

"This was such a great experience," Greenard said. "It's humbling to see and put some smiles on these patients' and their families' faces. It makes our day so much better, and we understand the support we have in the community."

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