MINNEAPOLIS — Vikings players and cheerleaders visited Shriners Hospitals for Children-Twin Cities on Tuesday for a Play 60 for All Kids event.
Captain Munnerlyn and Marcus Sherels learned first-hand some of the treatment that the hospital provides when they wore prosthetic arms and handed plastic building blocks to young patients who constructed field goal uprights.
"They definitely knew how to do that. That was awesome," said Munnerlyn before joking, "By the way, I beat Marcus every single time."
Munnerlyn said it was "a blessing and a challenge" to try to use the prosthetic arm's claw apparatus because he gained an understanding of difficulties that others have faced and overcome.
The event reinforced the NFL Play 60 message of the importance of active and healthy lifestyles while supporting the hospital's commitment of providing resources and building self confidence in children with mobility challenges.
While Munnerlyn and Sherels were passing the building blocks, rookie Zac Kerin was corralling foam footballs the children were throwing through hoops, and former Vikings linebacker and current Youth Football Manager E.J. Henderson was guiding other children through an agility ladder.
Shriners Hosptials for Children-Twin Cities has provided quality medical care in a family-centered environment for children with orthopedic conditions since 1923.
"Through programs like Play 60 for all Kids, we are able to show our patients that there are endless possibilities to what they can do," said Maureen Johnston, Director of Child Life at Shriners Hospitals for Children. "With the help of the Vikings we are able to motivate our patients to play sixty every day. This event makes their holidays even more magical."
The cheerleaders supported the patients through the activities and posed for pictures, and the players signed autographs.
"It was lovely, just to come out here and help put smiles on kids' faces, interact with them and let them know the Play 60 fitness thing is very important," Munnerlyn said. "It was a wonderful event and I love doing events like this."
About Shriners Hospitals for Children
Shriners Hospitals for Children is changing lives every day through innovative pediatric specialty care, world-class research and outstanding medical education. Our 22 locations in the United States, Canada and Mexico, provide advanced care for children with orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate.
Shriners Hospitals for Children is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and relies on the generosity of donors. All donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law.
To learn more about Shriners Hospitals for Children, please visit www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org.
About NFL Play 60
NFL Play 60 is the National Football League's campaign to encourage kids to be active for 60 minutes a day in order to help reverse the trend of childhood obesity. Viking players regularly visit local elementary schools to get kids excited about living a healthy and active lifestyle.
