Rudolph, Adam Thielen and Xavier Rhodes took part in a Kids Press Conference at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital, where patients got to play "reporter" for a day.
An image from September 4, 2018 of the Kids Press Conference at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
An image from September 4, 2018 of the Kids Press Conference at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
An image from September 4, 2018 of the Kids Press Conference at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
An image from September 4, 2018 of the Kids Press Conference at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
An image from September 4, 2018 of the Kids Press Conference at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
An image from September 4, 2018 of the Kids Press Conference at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
An image from September 4, 2018 of the Kids Press Conference at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
An image from September 4, 2018 of the Kids Press Conference at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
An image from September 4, 2018 of the Kids Press Conference at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
An image from September 4, 2018 of the Kids Press Conference at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
An image from September 4, 2018 of the Kids Press Conference at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
An image from September 4, 2018 of the Kids Press Conference at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
An image from September 4, 2018 of the Kids Press Conference at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
An image from September 4, 2018 of the Kids Press Conference at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
An image from September 4, 2018 of the Kids Press Conference at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
An image from September 4, 2018 of the Kids Press Conference at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
An image from September 4, 2018 of the Kids Press Conference at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
An image from September 4, 2018 of the Kids Press Conference at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
An image from September 4, 2018 of the Kids Press Conference at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
An image from September 4, 2018 of the Kids Press Conference at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
An image from September 4, 2018 of the Kids Press Conference at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
An image from September 4, 2018 of the Kids Press Conference at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
An image from September 4, 2018 of the Kids Press Conference at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
An image from September 4, 2018 of the Kids Press Conference at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
An image from September 4, 2018 of the Kids Press Conference at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
An image from September 4, 2018 of the Kids Press Conference at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
An image from September 4, 2018 of the Kids Press Conference at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
An image from September 4, 2018 of the Kids Press Conference at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
An image from September 4, 2018 of the Kids Press Conference at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
An image from September 4, 2018 of the Kids Press Conference at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
An image from September 4, 2018 of the Kids Press Conference at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
An image from September 4, 2018 of the Kids Press Conference at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
An image from September 4, 2018 of the Kids Press Conference at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
An image from September 4, 2018 of the Kids Press Conference at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
An image from September 4, 2018 of the Kids Press Conference at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
An image from September 4, 2018 of the Kids Press Conference at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
An image from September 4, 2018 of the Kids Press Conference at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
An image from September 4, 2018 of the Kids Press Conference at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
An image from September 4, 2018 of the Kids Press Conference at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
An image from September 4, 2018 of the Kids Press Conference at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
An image from September 4, 2018 of the Kids Press Conference at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
An image from September 4, 2018 of the Kids Press Conference at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
An image from September 4, 2018 of the Kids Press Conference at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
An image from September 4, 2018 of the Kids Press Conference at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
An image from September 4, 2018 of the Kids Press Conference at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
An image from September 4, 2018 of the Kids Press Conference at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
An image from September 4, 2018 of the Kids Press Conference at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
An image from September 4, 2018 of the Kids Press Conference at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
An image from September 4, 2018 of the Kids Press Conference at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
An image from September 4, 2018 of the Kids Press Conference at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
An image from September 4, 2018 of the Kids Press Conference at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
An image from September 4, 2018 of the Kids Press Conference at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
An image from September 4, 2018 of the Kids Press Conference at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
An image from September 4, 2018 of the Kids Press Conference at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
An image from September 4, 2018 of the Kids Press Conference at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
An image from September 4, 2018 of the Kids Press Conference at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
An image from September 4, 2018 of the Kids Press Conference at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
MINNEAPOLIS – Kyle Rudolph held his first media session of the regular season Tuesday and fielded some hard-hitting questions from young fans.
Rudolph, Adam Thielen and Xavier Rhodes took part in a Kids Press Conference at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital, where patients got to play "reporter" for a day.
Players are accustomed to responding to media members throughout the season, but it's sometimes the youth who are most bold. For instance, it didn't take long for a miniature Vikings fan to ask the three teammates if they expect to play in Super Bowl LIII.
"We're working at it, so yes," Rhodes told the youngster.
His offensive teammates concurred.
"They definitely come with tougher questions," Thielen later laughed. "They make it difficult on us, and they know they're doing that. It's just so much fun, and it puts a smile on my face to be out here with them."
The event was hosted in the Wilf Auditorium, a space made possible by a $5 million donation by the Wilf Family Foundations, and moderated by Chris Hawkey, co-host of KFAN's The Power Trip. Patients unable to leave their rooms could live-stream the presser and electronically communicate their questions.
One young lady streaming the session even sent down a question for Minnesota's mascot Viktor the Viking, who gladly played along.
Rudolph, who also participated a kids' press conference during the week of Super Bowl LII in Minneapolis, said there's some level of anticipation leading up to the event.
"As you sit up there and wonder what questions may [come up], there's still always some surprises," quipped the tight end, who was asked by one young lady if he lifts weights. "And to be quite honest, that's why we're here. We want to be asked the fun questions.
Topics thrown the players' way ranged from "Who inspired you to be a great receiver" and "What makes you happy" – all three teammates put family at the top of their list – to off-field inquiries such as favorite color, place to eat or choice of superhero. For the record, Thielen picked Spider-Man, and Rhodes called himself "a Superman guy."
"I'd like to fly, use my laser eyes," said Rhodes, who added, "I never did get that – how did Clark Kent get away with the glasses and [not get discovered]?"
Rhodes, Rudolph and Thielen even received a personal invite from a young man for a future dinner at the Ronald McDonald House.
"It broadens your perspective a little bit instead of just being in the football world and worrying about maybe a missed assignment or bad play," Thielen said. "Just coming here, hanging out and getting to know some of these kids and getting some of their funny questions, it definitely loosens you up and [reminds you] that football isn't the most important thing in the world."
Added Rudolph: "When we come down here on Tuesdays, whether it's after a huge win or a tough loss … it grounds you and really puts life into perspective outside of football."
