Saints Punter 'Blown Away' By Vikings Fans' Generosity

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — The clock reached triple zeros. Minnesota fans were ecstatic. The game, for all intents and purposes, was over. The Vikings had beaten the New Orleans Saints in historic fashion.

But in the NFL, teams are required to attempt an extra point after every touchdown in regulation, even if it's a meaningless point. So following the "Minneapolis Miracle," the media members and fans who made their way onto the field had to be cleared. A handful of Saints players already in the locker room had to come back for the final play.

The first one out there was Thomas Morstead, the Saints' punter.

Earlier in the game, Morstead made an incredible tackle to prevent a Marcus Sherels punt return.

But Morstead injured his rib on the play, an injury he told KFAN's Greg Coleman that "only hurts when I punt."

The punter was in visible pain, and yet Morstead came out on the last play to fill in — of all things — as a defensive tackle.

In honor of Morstead's heroics, a Vikings fan published a post on Reddit encouraging fans to donate to the punter's charity, "What You Give Will Grow," which supports organizations helping children diagnosed with cancer.

Minnesotans began donating en masse.

The punter was "blown away" by Minnesota fans' generosity and decided to send the money back to Children’s Minnesota. More than $100,000 has been raised this week for the Minneapolis hospital.

“What You Give Will Grow was built on the thought that giving back, at any level, makes a difference not only to those receiving the gesture, but in regards to inspiring others to do the same,” Morstead said in a statement. “It’s humbling to have fans from an opposing team doing something like this – it just shows that football is more than a game and it really is a community. Minnesota fans had no idea when they made donations that it would come back to their own community – but what you give does really grow and we’re honored to be able to support the child life program at Children’s Minnesota – this is what our foundation is all about.”

Morstead — who says he's now tempted to root for the Vikings in the rest of the playoffs — plans to fly up to Minneapolis the week of the Super Bowl to personally deliver the check to Children's Minnesota.

Photo credit: AP Photo