Christian Darrisaw and Max Brosmer are thankful for moms who have supported them from day one.
But in 2024 and several months before they'd become Vikings teammates, they found themselves turning the tables and supporting their mothers as they faced the biggest battles of their lives.
Max's mom, Jayna, and Christian's mom, Kimberly, were diagnosed with breast cancer in late February and July, respectively, of that year.
A college QB at the time, Max had just gone through the transfer portal to join the Minnesota Golden Gophers when he got the news.
"I never thought my mom would call me and say, 'I have breast cancer,' " he said. "You know, cancer is unfortunately such a common disease, we see it so much, but you never think it's going to be your family affected.
"My first thought was, 'Oh my gosh; do I need to go home?' It was really scary," added Max, who noted incredible support both from his former New Hampshire teammates and Gophers Head Coach P.J. Fleck and the team.
On July 23, 2024, Kimberly received her diagnosis — the same day Christian signed a long-term extension with the Vikings.
"She didn't tell me. She didn't want to take away from the moment," Christian said.
Forever a mom, looking out for her son.
At 6-foot-5 and 315 pounds, not much scares Christian. Learning his mom had cancer, however, shook the left tackle to his core.
"Just not really knowing where things stood, you see the impact cancer can have on people," he said. "You see how it attacks people's bodies.
"This past year definitely was rough," added Christian, who suffered a season-ending knee injury during Week 8 last season. "Getting injured, and my mom dealing with that, it was definitely tough. But seeing her strength kind of helped me push through what I was going through."
In separate conversations with Max and Christian for this story, both uttered the same sentence:
My mom is a warrior.
Strength and courage are themes that run through both of their stories. Jayna assured her family, "It will be OK. I'll be OK," as she met the disease head-on, opting for a double mastectomy shortly after the initial diagnosis and the day before Max's 23rd birthday.
Kimberly underwent a smaller surgical procedure and started chemotherapy treatments, showing the same determination and steadfastness Christian has witnessed all his life.
"I got my motivation from her in everything I do," he said. "She's the most outgoing, caring person. She wants to see everybody just win in life, and that's kind of where I get that from. She cares about absolutely everyone. I love my mom.
"She was the team mom for whatever sport I played, and she pushed me, whether it was baseball, basketball, football," Christian continued. "I remember I had these Saturday morning workouts for football, and I hated them. My mom would always come wake me up, like 5:30 in the morning, and she'd say, 'These workouts are going to pay off.' I never wanted to go, but she always forced me, OK, and I kind of thank her for that now."
Max shared similar anecdotes about his mother, whom he said never missed his football games, with the exception of a single game during the COVID-19 pandemic. ("I don't hold that against her," he quips.)
"Even after she went through surgery, she didn't miss football," he said.
Max recalled growing up spending countless evenings playing Euchre or Bananagrams with his parents and brother. He often opted for Saturday nights at home over going out, simply because he enjoyed any family time he could soak in.
"We're big on family dinners, too," he said, noting that even meal prep was a family affair, with Jayna tackling the veggies, his dad Colin mastering the grill and he and his brother concocting side dishes.
Max calls Jayna a "saint" for hosting Wednesday night dinners for the quarterbacks, offensive line and receivers of his high school football team — cooking for half the season before transitioning to takeout because, well, teenage boy appetites.
"My mom is an amazing caregiver. She works as a nurse, but she embodies that same kind of mentality in life. She's the kindest person I've ever met," Max said. "I'm so fortunate to have her as my mother. Really, I don't even have enough words."
Jayna and Kimberly fought their respective battles with courage, and they both — thankfully — have overcome the disease and currently are declared cancer free.
The good news for Kimberly came just last week.
"She finished her chemo a little while ago, had a few more follow-up appointments, and she's cancer free," Christian said, smiling. "It's amazing."
The timing is especially significant given the Vikings Crucial Catch game this Sunday against the Eagles.
Kimberly, who is traveling with her family from Philadelphia (don't worry, they'll be in Purple), and Jayna both will be in the stands at U.S. Bank Stadium, cheering for their sons.
But really, it's their sons who are their biggest fans.
"It's special," Christian said. "Just finishing up her treatments and then she's going to be at the game this weekend, Crucial Catch? It's special."
"When it affects your family, you get a different perspective of it," Max added. "To have the weight of an organization like the NFL support the cause and put it on a platform where we all can support [the Crucial Catch initiative], it means so much to my family."
The NFL's Crucial Catch mission is to fight cancer through early detection and risk reduction.
The Vikings annually raise awareness during their Crucial Catch game, which features on-field and in-stadium Crucial Catch elements, in addition to honoring cancer survivors and those currently battling the disease.
The Vikings locker room has other players with loved ones who have been impacted by cancer.
C.J. Ham
Lost mother, Tina, to pancreatic cancer in 2021
Ham has been deeply involved in furthering the Crucial Catch impact since the passing of his mother, annually hosting the "Pamper Her Purple" event to support and connect with those impacted by cancer.
"I can empathize with them and be with them and just try to show love and let them know, 'You're not in this fight alone. There are people that are here that love you. The fight is worth it. Continue to fight. Don't give up.'
"[Mom taught me] every single day is a blessing. Every single time you open your eyes and take a breath, every morning is an opportunity to be your best self, but it's truly a gift from God. At any point, anything can happen, so just cherish the moments, cherish the people around you and enjoy life."
Will Reichard
Lost father, Gary, to pancreatic cancer in 2016
Reichard honors his father's memory after every made field goal, pointing a finger toward the sky. And each time he laces his cleats, Reichard said, he thinks about the way his father helped get him into kicking and set his journey to the NFL in motion.
"He was someone who wanted the best for both of his kids. He was a great role model. He worked really hard at what he did, very selfless. He had a lot of interests and hobbies that he gave up once me and my sister were born, to pour the most he could into us.
"Growing up, every Saturday, we'd go to the field … and we'd be out there for hours. It was hard work, and he wasn't easy on me, but it's something I can look back on and be so grateful I had someone like that in my life to push me. And the opportunity that we had to have fun together resonates still."
Donovan Jackson
Grandfather, Wilson, battled and defeated prostate cancer
Jackson is grateful to his grandfather, Wilson, who worked as an NCAA official, for passing along his love of football. Jackson recalled watching games together with his grandfather and deepening his understanding of — and affection for — the sport.
"I know he watches every game. Early on in my career he'd send notes on what I had to do better. I'm like, 'Papa Jack, I have a whole building full of people that tell me how to do better. I don't need you to tell me that. I'll be fine.' But now you know, he'll call in and check in sometimes, ask how I'm doing."
"The Crucial Catch initiative and what it represents, what it promotes, impacts millions of families. My story is just one of many."
