MINNEAPOLIS — Oftentimes, people become starstruck around Justin Jefferson.

But during a recent visit to the M Health Fairview Masonic Children's Hospital, the Vikings receiver was the one in awe.

"You're a warrior," he told 16-year-old Brooklyn.

Jefferson listened intently as Brooklyn openly shared with him her story, explaining how she had experienced significant mental health struggles for several years, and how this past July she attempted to take her life.

Alerted by one of Brooklyn's friends, her parents rushed her to their local emergency room; doctors did not take the situation seriously, however, as she didn't immediately present with standard symptoms of an overdose. Brooklyn was placed in a room for observation, but the extended-release antidepressant pills she'd taken wreaked silent havoc on her body.

By the time Brooklyn started experiencing seizures, the damage was nearly irreversible. She suffered five strokes to her occipital lobe and her heart stopped twice, during which CPR also collapsed her lung.

Doctors put Brooklyn on ECMO, a life-sustaining machine that circulates a patient's blood outside the body, and she was airlifted from North Dakota to the Twin Cities to receive care and emergency surgery at Masonic. During an operation that lasted almost 18 hours, Brooklyn's parents were told to expect the worst.

But she defied all odds.

Brooklyn lived — an outcome she's now deeply grateful for.

She initially woke up without vision, due to the strokes, and has gradually regained a significant portion of her sight, though she undergoes therapy in hopes of continued improvement. In addition, incorrect placement of the ECMO connections deprived Brooklyn's legs of adequate circulation for too long; despite doctors' best attempts at saving them, she has undergone bilateral amputations below her knees.

Brooklyn has spent the past 21 weeks in the hospital with her mother — and on many days, the hospital's therapy dogs — by her side. (Her father stayed in Minneapolis for eight weeks before a necessary return to North Dakota for work.) She carries an incredible strength into each day, which she demonstrated clearly to Jefferson during their conversation.

"We can't change the past," Brooklyn said, "and we're moving forward."

Jefferson commended her accepting the situation and showing fortitude in the face of such adversity.

"There are so many people that love you," he said. "We love that you're on this earth, sitting here talking with us, smiling. That means the world.

"You have a long life ahead of you," Jefferson encouraged. "It isn't ending today, or tomorrow, or anytime soon."

Brooklyn visibly took Jefferson's words to heart, locking eyes with the receiver and nodding as he spoke. The two also chatted casually about things she enjoys, their shared gratitude for family support and a mutual love for dogs. Brooklyn introduced him to Fern, a Lab-retriever mix who rested comfortably on her bed while she sat in her wheelchair.

Jefferson and Brooklyn even painted Ferns nails … which quickly became a competition.

"What! How are you already done!" Jefferson exclaimed playfully, admiring the purple paint Brooklyn had added.

"It's too hard with all Fern's hair," he laughed, carefully applying yellow paint.

Jefferson posed for photos with Brooklyn and her mother, Amanda, and offered hugs as he exited the room, in addition to another reminder:

"You remember what we talked about, OK? Always remember."

Though Jefferson never donned cleats or a helmet last Tuesday, he so authentically exhibited what makes him special off the field.

Whether visiting with Brooklyn, spending time with 12-year-old Uriel who underwent a bone marrow transplant recently or cheering on young patients in a holiday fashion show, Jefferson was present, engaged and uplifting.

"I think Justin understood me at a different level," Brooklyn said. "He had some very inspirational things that, really, I think anybody could take with them and use it for their life. I really appreciated everything that he said, and it really stuck with me."

Jefferson created lasting memories for Brooklyn and so many others during his time at the hospital.

He wished a happy early birthday to Uriel, who excitedly told "Jets" he'd requested a parrot for the special occasion. Not the typical ask by a 13-year-old, which made the interaction even more fun.

After individual room visits with Uriel and Brooklyn, Jefferson headed to the Wilf Family Center auditorium, where current and former patients, as well as a few siblings, strutted the runway and showed off holiday outfits.

Jefferson grinned and laughed throughout the entire presentation, admiring looks that ranged from a Vikings Winter Whiteout hoodie to an extra-swaggy fur coat. Two of the young men joined Jefferson in The Griddy, and 5-year-old Evelyn — whose red velvet purse was complimented by the Vikings WR — stole the show with her pose and dramatic hip pop.

"I love it!" Shouted Jefferson, who matched Evelyn's drama by "falling" off his stool in reaction.

"It was so fun seeing the kids going down the [runway], putting on their fits and just being in that moment, being in that happy moment," he later reflected. "What it's all about, having that smile on their face and them enjoying being here with me and dancing with me. It's all really exciting.

"My family and I [never went through any of these situations] when I was growing up, so to talk to these kids and hear their stories, hear where they're coming from … it's devastating to hear about kids going through this adversity," Jefferson continued. "I told them, 'Stay with it. Have that strong mindset. Lean on your supporters … to get you through this tough time.' But for me to be here with them and to share those moments with them was everything.

"My day-to-day life is football — not really dealing with real adversity and the things they're dealing with," Jefferson added. "So taking the time to step aside from football and not really think about plays or what's going on with the team, but to think about what's more serious in these kids' lives — how can they enjoy this time, being around the holidays, around Christmas, and just have that joyful vibe — that's what it's about today."

C.J. & Stephanie Ham host Boys & Girls Clubs family for holiday

EAGAN, Minn. — Giggles and shrieks of excitement filled the lobby of Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center.

Six siblings and cousins all under the age of 7 enthusiastically tore colorful wrapping paper off boxes of all sizes and shapes.

"This is exactly what I wanted!" One young girl yelled, jumping up and down and showing off a new toy to her sister.

Vikings fullback C.J. Ham and his wife Stephanie took it all in, smiles on their faces, and connected with Khadeeja and her sister Ashanti as their children opened presents. Khadeeja and Ashanti grew up regularly attending the Southside Boys & Girls Club, which continues to embrace not only them but now their young children.

The Boys & Girls Clubs are near and dear to C.J.'s heart, and he regularly gives back to the organization that played a crucial role in his own childhood. Each year, C.J. and Steph, along with their children Skylar, Stella and Trip, "adopt" a Boys & Girls Club family for the holidays. The Hams host the family for an evening at TCO Performance Center, where they are treated to a dinner buffet followed by opening gifts that fulfill the family's provided wish list.

"This year was a lot of fun. We were very fortunate to be paired with two young families. The energy they all had from the moment they walked through the door was contagious," C.J. said. "My kids felt right at home connecting with them, and it truly felt like we were all one big family for the night!"

C.J. and Steph are grateful for the opportunity to gift home and season essentials that this year included cookware and new snowpants, as well as toys and "fun extras" especially fun for young ones to discover.

"This is more than I expected," an emotional Khadeeja said. "Everything is so delicate and beautifully decorated. I cried. I'm so happy.

"This is amazing, especially because it was going to be a really tight Christmas. Seeing the kids get exactly what they wanted was the cherry on top of my day," she added. "I love that their kids are around my kids' ages, too. It's been so fun."

C.J., who was the Vikings 2025 NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year Club Winner, feels "blessed to be a blessing" after first making Minnesota's roster on a tryout basis in 2016.

"It's hard to put in exact words what this night is truly like, but the sounds of the joyful screaming, laughing and sometimes crying make it all worth it," he said. "I'm so grateful their family was able to bless us with their presence."