Hometown Hero: Darlene Schaefer | Vikings-Bears

Watch every Gjallarhorn sounding at U.S. Bank Stadium from the Vikings 2025 season.

Sunday's Medtronic Game Changer was Dr. Verna Cornelia Price & Brother Shane Price. They founded The Power of People Leadership Institute in 2005. They offer programs to youth and adults that provide career development, mentorship, and leadership training.

Vikings.com's Tatum Everett spoke with Vikings Legend Andrew Sendejo during the Week 18 game against the Packers.

Vikings Legend and College Football Hall of Fame Inductee Jim Kleinsasser led the Skol Chant and sounded the Gjallarhorn prior to the Week 18 game against the Packers.

The Vikings and Head Coach Kevin O'Connell surprised Khyree Jackson's parents with exciting news that they were receiving the Inspire Change: Changemaker Award with the Khyree Jackson Foundation.

Vikings Entertainment Network's Tatum Everett interviews Vikings Legend Robert Griffith during the 2025 Winter Whiteout game.

Vikings.com's Tatum Everett spoke with Vikings Legend Anthony Barr during the Week 14 game against the Commanders.

The Minnesota Wind Chill and the DC Breeze, two professional ultimate frisbee teams from the Ultimate Frisbee Association, played during the halftime of the Vikings Week 14 game against the Commanders at U.S. Bank Stadium.

United States Navy Petty Officer First Class James Stoffel surprised his family with an early return home from deployment as part of the Miller Lite Military Spotlite during the Vikings Week 14 game against the Commanders at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Sunday's Medtronic Game Changer was Pet Haven. Founded in 1952, Pet Haven is the first foster-based animal rescue organization in Minnesota. They improve the lives of pets by rescuing, rehabilitating, rehoming, and assisting with spaying and neutering to reduce the overpopulation of animals. Pet Haven's Executive Director Kerry D'Amato, a longtime animal welfare advocate, was recognized during the game.

Vikings Legend Anthony Barr led the Skol Chant and sounded the Gjallarhorn prior to the Week 14 game against the Commanders.

During Sunday's Miller Lite Military Spotlite, the Vikings honored Chief Master Sergeant Lisa Erikson. Lisa is the Command Chief for the 148th Fighter Wing, Air National Guard, Duluth, Minn. She served as the Adjutant General's advisor for all matters relating to the enlisted forces that may affect training, utilization, health of the force and enlisted professional development. She is the first female Air force leader to hold the role and is only the second woman ever to have this role. This month, she will be retiring after 37 years of service.

Sunday's Medtronic Game Changer was Linda Wallenberg. Now in her 50th year of teaching, Linda is an English teacher at Eden Prairie High School and is the 2025 Minnesota Teacher of the Year. Prior to this award, she was also named Eden Prairie Teacher of the Year three times, named National Gymnastics Coach of the Year twice, awarded the Royal Order of the Polar Star from His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf, King of Sweden, awarded a Distinguished Alumni Citation For Excellence and Contributions in Teaching and Coaching Gymnastics by Gustavus Adolphus College, and the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award by the College of Education and Human Development from the University of Minnesota.

Vikings.com's Tatum Everett spoke with Vikings Legend Cris Carter during the Week 11 game against the Bears.

Sunday's Medtronic Game Changer was Patriot Assistance Dogs. Founded in 2010 and based in Detroit Lakes, Patriot Assistance Dogs is a nonprofit organization with a powerful mission: to support United States military veterans by providing them with highly trained psychiatric service dogs. Around 80 percent of the dogs they train come from shelters, humane societies, or are donated by individuals and the program has already placed over 200 service dog teams. Each year, about 20 more veterans are matched with their canine partners.

During Sunday's Miller Lite Military Spotlite, the Vikings honored Vurgess Jones, the mother of Aaron Jones. Vurgess served 27 years in the United States Army and was deployed multiple times, including to the Iraqi War when Aaron was in second grade. She retired in 2016 as a sergeant major. Her late husband, Alvin Jones, Sr., also served in the U.S Army for 29 years.

Vikings.com's Tatum Everett spoke with Vikings Legend Anthony Harris during the Week 10 game against the Ravens.

As part of the NFL's Crucial Catch initiative, the halftime of the Minnesota Vikings Week 7 game featured a performance by Abraham Westlund and shared the brave stories of 6-year-old Oakley and 7-year-old Viola and honored those who have been impacted by cancer.

Sunday's Medtronic Game Changer was Kirsten Scheller. At age 22, Kirsten was diagnosed with stage 3, almost stage 4 colorectal cancer after being misdiagnosed for three years. After many surgeries and intense chemo treatment, she is now 13 years cancer free and advocates for regular colon screening, including routine colonoscopies with recent additional support from Medtronic's GI Genius tool.

Vikings.com's Tatum Everett spoke with Vikings Legend Jordan Hicks during the Week 7 game against the Eagles.

Vikings.com's Tatum Everett spoke with Vikings Legend Steve Jordan during the Week 3 game against the Bengals.

Sunday's Medtronic Game Changer was James Lewis. James serves as Chief Program Officer at The Link, a nonprofit organization founded in 1991 by former Minnesota Vikings players Jim Marshall and Oscar Reed. With over 20 years of experience supporting youth in crisis, James plays a key leadership role in overseeing programs that address youth homelessness, juvenile justice, and sex trafficking. His expertise in crisis response, conflict de-escalation, and youth engagement has helped countless young people with justice system involvement, find stable housing, and access life-saving support.

Watch the Vikings 2025 Corgi Classic race from halftime of the Week 3 game against the Bengals.

Watch as Miycol Jones, the granddaughter of the late Jim Marshall, sounded the Gjallarhorn prior to the Vikings vs. Bengals game. Jim Marshall was a defensive end for the Minnesota Vikings who passed away earlier this year.

Vikings.com's Tatum Everett spoke with Vikings Legend Chad Greenway during the Sunday Night Football game against the Falcons.