Eric Kendricks sees the big picture
Vikings Walter Payton Man of the Year Award nominee Eric Kendricks found his voice and went all-in to help the Twin Cities community
In some way or another, everyone has been changed by the events of the past year.
For Eric Kendricks, he’s gone from quietly working to improve his adopted community to becoming the face of the franchise on matters of social justice.
On Thursday, Kendricks was named the Vikings’ Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee in recognition of both the work he’s done in the Twin Cities and the voice he’s learned to use in order to encourage others to do the same.
“I realized that my platform is larger than most and I actually do have an influence so maybe I need to be speaking up a little bit more than I have been about these issue as and share my thoughts and share my feelings and share my emotions with everybody,” Kendricks said.
Kendricks’s confidence to step into the forefront on social matters was sparked in early June, shortly after the death of George Floyd. He uncharacteristically shared an emotional message on social media.
“I’m applying the pressure to myself to do more,” he said in a short video. “It’s not going to happen overnight but we’ve got to do something.”
Since then he’s done numerous interviews on the subject of police violence and played a leading role on the Vikings’ social justice committee, which has been working to distribute $5 million donated by owners Mark and Zygi Wilf to causes that “fight hate, racism and inequality.”
“I think what stood out to me was his willingness to do that and put himself out there and be the voice of not only himself but kind of for our team,” fellow linebacker Eric Wilson said. “What he talks about is definitely real and he’s very educated on what he speaks on. We all have our different backgrounds and I think EK comes very a unique background in understanding what’s going on and being able to know proper ways to address it and better from it.”
Kendricks didn’t just want to use his platform for one particular cause. His goal was to start at the root of inequality.
“We have to start finding solutions,” he said. “We can't just keep repeating the same behaviors of the past.”
Kendricks began his Walter Payton Man of the Year press conference by asking questions to members of three organizations that work toward those solutions on different levels of a person’s journey: Hennepin County Detention Center, All Square and Every Meal.
He asked them to explain how someone’s starting point can dictate where they end up. He asked them to explain that where they end up doesn’t have to be the end.
He asked Every Meal to show how something as simple as putting food in kids’ backpacks can make a big difference. He asked Jeff Townsend from the detention center to talk about how a few encouraging words from a Vikings player could help someone whose direction can still be changed. He asked All Square to demonstrate how helping people who have been incarcerated reintegrate themselves into society is a plus for the entire community.
“He's a big thinker,” said Rob Williams, executive director of Every Meal. “I'm sure there's some analogy like: He can see the field and read the quarterback or something. But he can also see the community and see the need that's out there and see the bigger picture… instead of looking at the ball, he can see where it's going. He doesn't have a narrow focus, he can see what's going on with the entire system and systematic processes.”
When it came to talking about his motivations, Kendricks said his personal experiences growing up influenced his desire to help others.
“I'm from Fresno, California, and I went to school with some kids who got in trouble pretty early in high school or what it may be,” Kendricks said. “I realized that once they got in that trouble it was kind of like a wall. They got stuck.”
He wants to help others avoid getting stuck.
“When the players come in they talk about decision making, goal setting, social justice,” Townsend said. “What we hear usually when they leave is that they care. Obviously they see them on TV all the time and they recognize the names but now they see the faces. “
Kendricks is hardly alone in his efforts. He noted that players like Anthony Barr and last year’s WPMOY nominee Kyle Rudolph along with numerous others have been at the forefront of the Vikings’ community on different fronts. Barr with his foundation helping single mothers, Rudolph with his work with the Minnesota Children’s Hospital.
The Vikings’ social justice committee also met with the Minneapolis chief of police after the killing of George Floyd.
“I think it's about the time because he's a busy man,” said Randall Smith of All Square. “He doesn't have to do this. There's other football players who are doing other things with their time. Time is important when somebody takes it out of their life and gives it to you.”
Kendricks said he knows the time he’s put in will ultimately make a difference.
“I know that the more I talk about these kinds of things or just reveal the people I've been working with in the community, it can create little ripples and those ripples are what I'm all about,” Kendricks said. “We can't create as big of change as we want to at times but sometimes it's the smallest gestures.”
Additional Vikings notes
Who’s playing tight end?
The Vikings’ injury report was loaded with key players on Wednesday. Both Irv Smith Jr. and Kyle Rudolph were not participating, leaving Tyler Conklin as the only active tight end with Brandon Dillon being placed on IR last week. The Pioneer Press reported they will sign former Washington TE Hale Hentges but he won’t be available to play this week. The best option might be moving CJ Ham to tight end and elevating practice squad fullback Jake Bargas to play Ham’s role.
Among the other wounded Vikings was Eric Kendricks. He’s recovering from a calf injury that was suffered last week and reaggravated in warm-ups before the Jags game.
Jeff Gladney, Garrett Bradbury, Riley Reiff, DJ Wonnum and Ezra Cleveland were all limited.
Winfield Jr. vs. his dad’s team
During the lead up to the 2020 draft, Vikings fans clamored for the home town team to pick Antoine Winfield Jr., son of former Viking corner Antoine Winfield Sr.
So far it appears fans had a good point in campaigning for him. The former Gopher leads all rookie safeties in snaps and tackles. And — in typical Winfield fashion — he is the fifth best run defender among all safeties.
“I was talking to my dad last night, we were watching film together and I was like, ‘Isn’t it crazy that I’m playing against the Vikings?’” Winfield Jr. said. “And we kind of laughed about it. But I grew up a Vikings fan, watching my dad play up there. I’ve always loved the Vikings, watched pretty much all their games when I was growing up, so it’s going to be a cool experience being able play against one of my favorite teams.”
Tampa Bay Blitzers
Tampa Bay defensive coordinator Todd Bowles is known for his aggressive style and his penchant for sending extra rushers. Per PFF, Kirk Cousins has had success against blitzes with a 107.7 QB rating. However, he’s been sacked 12 times in 132 drop backs in which he faced the blitz (compared to 13 sacks on 266 non-blitzed snaps).
“He’s going to get blitzed this week for sure,” Mike Zimmer said. “They like to bring the pressure, a lot of different types of pressure. They’ve got two really good edge rushers, three inside guys that line up over the guards quite a bit, bring the safeties. He’s going to have to be on. Not only him, but all of our guys: the backs, the tight ends, the offensive line. We’re all going to have to be on point and make sure that we are able to get it picked up, and when we have a free runner, we’ve got to make sure we get the ball out.”
Dalvin Cook’s usage
Per Pro-Football Reference: Since the bye week, Cook’s pace would equate to 424 carries and 496 touches over 16 games. Both of those numbers clear the NFL record.
“I feel great, actually, I’ll probably need 38 more,” Cook said. “I don’t know. I feel great to be honest. I’m not pulling your coattails or nothing. I feel good. I’ve got a good system that I’ve got set up for me to get ready to go on Sunday’s. That starts right after the game. The clock starts to get my body ready to go for the next Sunday. I’m here to do whatever my team asks upon me. If it’s 38, 40, 44, whatever it is, I’m willing to do it.”
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Eric Kendricks is the type of class act I like to see in professional sports. There are too many loud mouth, spouse beating party boys out there who make their profession look bad. Kendricks quietly does what he believes in and he has my respect. He reminds me of another great human being who happens to play professional sports, Russel Wilson. Every Tuesday Wilson quietly visits the Seattle Children's Hospital to brighten lives. He doesn't do this because it's required by his contract or the team. He's always done this, even before he entered professional sports. Though day in and day out I suffer out here in Seasquawk Hell, I admire their QB for his off field activities. I also admire Kendricks, someone we can point out to our young, aspiring athletes as a role model. Good on ya, Eric!
Just went to buy a Kendricks jersey and am baffled that they aren't stocked. Get it together, merchandisers.