MINNEAPOLIS — Adley wasn't really sure what to think about Kevin O'Connell.

But then, the Vikings head coach mentioned Disney princesses.

Snuggled safely into her father Eric's shoulder, 4-year-old Adley's interest was piqued.

"She was kind of like, 'OK, you know, I'll hear this guy out,' " Eric later recounted, chuckling.

Adley shyly — but proudly — told O'Connell her favorite princess is Belle, and she smiled when O'Connell noted he's quite familiar with Beauty and the Beast.

"You can tell he's a father; he was great," Eric said. "We've been talking with Adley about the Vikings, and we were showing her photos like, 'He's the coach. He's in charge.' Being in her situation, there haven't been a ton of happy moments … so when a stranger comes in and talks princesses, she'll talk princesses."

Adley and her family are walking a challenging and unexpected journey that interrupted a week in late May filled with exciting moments like her dance recital and attending Jelly Roll's concert at U.S. Bank Stadium. Adley grew extremely ill just a few days later, prompting a visit to the emergency room; after undergoing multiple tests, she was diagnosed with a brain tumor.

Adley underwent surgery to remove the tumor May 28, and she now is recovering and rehabilitating at Children's Minnesota – Minneapolis.

Eric called O'Connell's Friday morning hospital visit "incredibly uplifting" during a trying time.

"You're in a place you don't want to be, frankly," Eric said. "And this gives you kind of that break from reality. As a Vikings fan, he's a celebrity. He runs the show. He's our guy. So, getting to meet him is just a nice break from the day-to-day and getting through this process."

O'Connell spent time with Adley and nine other young patients during bedside visits on the hematology/oncology floor at Children's Minnesota – Minneapolis. He also teamed up with Miracle Children’s Foundation to give each of the 10 patients a new tablet, as well as "Joy Jars" donated by the NEGU (Never Ever Give Up) Foundation. Raising Cane's additionally donated meal gift cards and plush dogs to the youngsters. Bryce Newman, a brain cancer survivor and founder of the Miracle Children's Foundation, joined O'Connell in visiting with the families.

Eric noted that while O'Connell took notice of the Vikings gear Adley's entire family was wearing, he first and foremost focused on engaging with her.

"The first impression I had was that, football aside, he cared more about meeting her. 'What's her name?' You know, getting her favorite princess down," Eric smiled. "You know, he obviously knows the football conversations were coming, but his main concern while here was just introducing himself to Adley and making her feel comfortable."

Giving back and connecting with young people just comes naturally for the Vikings coach, who recently celebrated his 40^th birthday.

Prior to doing the bedside visits, O'Connell joined beloved Children's Star Studio host "The Dude" for an in-house TV show that broadcasts to all patients' rooms at the Minneapolis and St. Paul locations.

O'Connell happily answered pre-submitted questions that ranged from hard-hitters like "what is football" to "what is your guilty snack" (sour candy) and "have you seen the movie Air Bud: Golden Receiver" (sadly, he has not).

And whether chatting with Adley, holding 7-month-old Stella, taking a few minutes to play toys with 3-year-old Sophie or engaging with older patients like Panareia or 16-year-old J.J. ("I know a few J.J.s now," he quipped), O'Connell was sincere and heartfelt in every interaction.

He prompted many smiles throughout the day, but the largest grin may have been from O'Connell himself when he asked Isaiah, 13, which team he was playing against in Madden.

"Oh, this is just practice," Isaiah said, maneuvering a digital Dalvin Cook across the screen.

"Practice!" O'Connell exclaimed, his face lighting up. "Practice! Do you know how happy that makes a coach? Everyone just wants to play game after game and make the big plays, and you're over here practicing. I love to hear that."

Isaiah wasn't shy about asking O'Connell the tough questions about losing a playoff game. When asked for advice from the coach, he didn't hesitate: "Just throw it to Justin Jefferson every time."

"What if he's got five guys covering him?" O'Connell pressed.

"So what?" Isaiah said. "He's done it before!"

Tough to argue with that one.

Despite his good-natured poking of O'Connell, Isaiah, a regular patient at Children's, also expressed excitement and confidence in the upcoming season.

"Will you bring the Lombardi Trophy here for me to see it when you win?"

O'Connell smiled before giving Isaiah a fist bump.

"Of course I will," he assured. "I'll bring it for you to see."