Viktor
Well-known member
- Mar 19, 2019
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The Vikings community relations team developed the idea and began reaching out to 2019 opponents who would like to help create the opportunity. The Chargers accepted, and the teams worked together.
“It was such an honor working with the Chargers community relations team on this program,” said Vikings Community Relations Coordinator Quinn Adams. “Their staff went above and beyond to help make this an amazing experience for the Special Olympics athletes and unified partners. It truly was a trip of a lifetime for our Vikings Unified Team.”
Chargers Community Relations Manager Chase Hartman described the experience as “amazingly rewarding.”
“We feel very thankful that our Vikings counterparts reached out to us and brought us into the fold,” Hartman said. “I think it’s a testament to how powerful the game of football is as a unifier of people. This is the first time, and we’re hoping it can be a model for other teams.”
The Chargers lined up Saturday outings to Knott’s Berry Farm amusement park and Medieval Times restaurant for the teams to experience together.
“It’s been amazing. I never thought in a million years that this would happen,” said Chaz Morris, who added that “just getting to be out here and making friends” was his favorite part.
Skyler Ludin, a player on the Chargers team said, “It’s always been a dream of mine to play sports and be included.”
“I would have never imagined 15 years ago when I was 5, meeting people from Minnesota with the same or different disability that I have,” Ludin said, “and then just breaking the ice with them by having dinner or going to Medieval Times.
“The coaches from both teams made sure that a Chargers player would sit next to a Vikings player, so I got to meet lots of wonderful people from the Vikings team,” Ludin added. “It just made [Sunday] that much more fun.”
The Rochester Flyers and their family members who made the trip enjoyed the immersive experience, and a group back home gathered for a watch party to view the scrimmage on Facebook Live.
“It’s been incredible,” said Nena Healy, whose sons Patrick and Sean play for the Flyers. “The kids have been ecstatic through this whole experience; from the second they found out until right now, they’ve been on cloud nine. It’s been an awesome experience.”