Ryan grinned broadly at his special guests, O’Connell and Vikings Special Teams Coordinator Matt Daniels, even though he was receiving renal dialysis. The kid was giggling uncontrollably as he displayed a miniature basketball, baseball, and football along with a container full of tiny plastic dinosaurs.
O’Connell and Daniels took a few quick steps back and stuck out their hands, sensing Ryan wanted to play catch. However, the two-year-old spun around and launched the tiny football, nearly reaching the door of the room.
After playing with Ryan for a while, the coaches gave him a stuffed animal that Build-a-Bear had provided, which he joyfully and firmly clutched.After playing with Ryan for a while, the coaches gave him a stuffed animal that Build-a-Bear had provided, which he joyfully and firmly clutched.
It means the world to me to be able to visit and interact with young children who aren’t in the greatest of situations right now; they are all great sources of inspiration for us all. Even if it’s just for a little while, I want to make them smile,” O’Connell remarked.It means the world to me to be able to visit and interact with young children who aren’t in the greatest of situations right now; they are all great sources of inspiration for us all. Even if it’s just for a little while, I want to make them smile,” O’Connell remarked.
He and Daniels had a special Valentine’s Day-themed afternoon in the hospital with Vikings players Ryan Wright, C.J. Ham, and Josh Metellus. Viktor the Viking, Ashley, Wright’s fiancée, and Stephanie, Ham’s wife, also contributed to the celebrations.He and Daniels had a special Valentine’s Day-themed afternoon in the hospital with Vikings players Ryan Wright, C.J. Ham, and Josh Metellus. Viktor the Viking, Ashley, Wright’s fiancée, and Stephanie, Ham’s wife, also contributed to the celebrations.
