First Graders Aim To Cheer Up Vikings Kicker Walsh

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — That final play on Sunday has been a tough pill for Minnesota Vikings fans to swallow.

Kicker Blair Walsh missed a 27-yard field goal with just seconds remaining.

The whiteboard in Sarah Myhre’s first grade class at Northpoint Elementary in Blaine shows adults were not the only ones watching on Sunday.

“You could see that they were spitting out exactly what their parentswere saying at home,” Myhre said “A lot of like, ‘Oh, he should be fired!'”

The teachers saw it as a teaching moment. It fit right into their learning targets, specifically the lesson of empathy.

Myhre and her peers came up with an assignment: write a letter showing empathy and encouragement, and that is just what they did.

It is proof that if Kindergarten does not teach you life’s most important lessons, first grade will.

The class also created artwork for Walsh. They are mailing the gifts of encouragement to the Vikings so Blair can get them right away.

Below are examples of what the cards said:

"Dear Blair, I feel bad for you."

"You are so so good at football."

"Keep on trying. We love you so much."

"Kkeep on trying."

"Don't give up. You're still number one."

Everyone loves you so much and you are very good."

"I know you can do it. You can win the game."

"You are the best. And maybe you need to practice. Love Cody."