EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — Even on his day off, Isaiah Rodgers was playing defense.

His opponent was an unusual one, though. And much more a new friend than an adversary. The veteran defensive back in his first season with the Vikings repeatedly shuffled his feet, swerved around several corners and tried with all his might (we're only kidding) to gently tackle a 2-and-a-half-year-old boy named Azari.

Like a kid in a candy store, but at SCHEELS (which coincidentally has a candy store in it), there were a million things tempting the toddler: neon green sneakers the size of a computer mouse, a toy firetruck and figurines of animals.

"I was a little upset when he walked past the WWE items, but it's a different era now. I was hoping he'd pick up one so I could be a kid in that moment," Rodgers said, his voice trailing off before perking back up. "But seeing how smart he is, knowing all the different dinosaurs … it makes me relate back to my kids."

Standing still for a rare second, he added, "Just to see the smile on his face puts a smile on mine."

Rodgers, along with teammates Jalen Nailor, T.J. Hockenson, Blake Cashman and Levi Drake Rodriguez, dedicated about an hour each at different times last Tuesday to guide single mothers, who are currently enrolled in college courses through the Jeremiah Program, and their children around SCHEELS. Jeremiah Program provides stability for single-parent families two generations at a time. The families were picked via a randomized drawing and received a $1,000 stipend from the Vikings and SCHEELS to pack shopping carts to the brim.

Jeremiah Program Family Services Director Nicole Weiler called the event "super wonderful."

"I don't think anyone thought that the players were going to hang out and shop with them all day; it was an engaging experience," Weiler said. "The kids were really excited because of the 'football celebrities.' "

The fun started for Rodgers around 1 p.m. after he did an interview on KFAN, which broadcasted live from SCHEELS during the all-day event. Rodgers whimsically chased Azari into aisles, fitting rooms and elevators, and tried refocusing and delivering him to his mom, Marrisa, and 7-year-old brother Josiah.

The latter made sure to fill his cart with NERF toys and wore a new pair of shoes out of the store.

Cashman, who grew up in Eden Prairie and starred at the U of M, arrived shortly after Rodgers and adventured the massive sporting goods store with JoAnna and children (also) Josiah, 7, and Jazmine, 1.

They gravitated toward pairs of Nike shoes described by Cashman as "sweet," colorful outfits, smartly including cold-weather gear, and LEGO sets. Jazmine's eyes also darted to a collection of stuffed animals.

The highlight of Cashman's afternoon was "just getting to know them, really," he said.

"I love interacting with the kids and their families," Cashman explained. "It brings joy to my heart and brings me back to the [feeling] of when you're a little kid and you're picking out a bunch of new stuff."

Weiler was extremely complimentary of Marissa and JoAnna.

"They both are crushing school and are two of the most caring mothers, who are fiercely protective of their children and really, really patient in ways that are just inspiring when you're juggling so many things in your life and still able to put your children first in every single way," she shared. "And I think as you saw, the contents of their carts today, that continues to be true. Just incredible people in our program."

Like Rodgers and his flock, Cashman's crew finished its shopping spree with 10-15 minutes of immersive games. Jazmine watched curiously as Josiah and Blake hopped in the "Halo: Fireteam Raven" arcade engine and defeated alien species. For a moment in time, Cashman was transported to his youth.

"Josiah — he was holding it down!" the linebacker smiled. "I had a lot of fun playing the arcade games."

The players agreed they're uniquely positioned to leave a legacy that transcends football.

"I feel like nothing that we do on the field matters [as much], but everything we do off the field does," Rodgers said. "Most of the great players — you remember them for what they do off the field more than what they do on it. Like, 'Oh, this guy had this amount of stats,' but when it's all said and done, you remember looking back, saying, 'OK, that's the guy who took this family shopping,' and things like that."

Aaron Jones Hosts 'Vibes & Drives' Foundation Event | By Lindsey Young

WOODBURY, Minn. — Snow swirled in the biting wind, but the atmosphere was warm and inviting inside Top Golf, where Aaron Jones, Sr., and his family hosted an inaugural "Vibes & Drives" evening in support of their A&A All the Way Foundation.

Community members and fans who attended the Dec. 1 event were able to meet and mingle with Aaron and his twin brother Alvin, their older sister Chelsi'rae and mother Vurgess, as well as Vikings players Jalen Nailor, C.J. Ham and Ivan Pace, Jr.

"My passion is giving back," Aaron told those who attended. "At a young age, my parents had us give back, and through that I found joy. So part of the reason we started the foundation is to be that resource in any community.

"My parents … even if they didn't have [the finances], they found a way to scrape money together, whatever it was, to send us to football camps and other things," Aaron added. "They found a way, and we want to be that resource to other kids, to other families. I believe when you have a platform, you should use it and use it in an impactful way. So, that's why I started in this, and it's my joy and my passion. But we need the community, as well, to make an impact."

Guests of all ages took swings from the golf pods, enjoyed music by DJ Ray Mills, snacked on appetizers and desserts and perused a silent auction that included an autographed Harrison Smith jersey and Justin Jefferson helmet, as well as other Vikings and Twin Cities items and experiences. Vikings Entertainment Network's Tatum Everett hosted the brief program and live-auctioned a custom art piece of Aaron during a Vikings game.

The fundraiser also doubled as a birthday celebration for Aaron and Alvin, who turned 31 on Dec. 2, and guests were invited to add birthday messages to a large banner.

Chelsi'rae emphasized how special it is for the Jones family to put on these charitable events together.

"Family is everything to us," she said. "If you don't have your family, you can't be anywhere; and without the community, the feeling of this community, we wouldn't be here.

"It's very welcoming [here in Minnesota]. I was surprised at the outpour of support toward us and Aaron [so quickly]," Chelsi'rae added. "We've only been here for two seasons, two years, and people make us feel like we belong here. That gives you a sense of peace. It's wonderful."