Minnesota professional athletes and coaches helped with a food drive outside of Cub Foods in south Minneapolis on Friday.
Since the death of George Floyd over a week ago, several grocery stores in the area have been looted and destroyed leaving the community without essential items.
Vikings tight end and two-time Pro Bowler Kyle Rudolph helped organize the goods drive. Rudolph had reached out to several prominent members of the Minnesota athletic community to help those affected by the death of Floyd in south Minneapolis.
Among those present included Vikings teammate Danielle Hunter, Timberwolves guard Josh Okogie, and Golden Gophers head football coach P.J. Fleck.
Kyle Rudolph part of grassroots supply drop at S 26th Ave and E 29th St in south Minneapolis. Friend Justin Castillo and his Afton neighborhood started a chat Monday about making a change.Now Rudolph is pushing an ice cream cart. Multiple #Vikings, #Gophers and #Wolves here. pic.twitter.com/0V1DyCnmYC
— Andrew Krammer (@Andrew_Krammer)
June 5, 2020 “When Kyle Rudolph asks you to do something you do it,” Fleck said in an interview with WCCO-TV, “once we knew there was something going on that could be part of change, change starts with me, change starts with you, it starts with all of us.”
Our Coach >>> Clemson’s Coach. #rtb #skiumah #gogophers pic.twitter.com/OK2ucJqSa3
— Nadine Babu (@NadineBabu)
June 5, 2020 Fleck was a guest on ESPN’s show "First Take" earlier this week where he shared his thoughts on the death of Floyd and the impact that it has had on him personally.
“ [Floyd’s death> hurts my heart and breaks my heart and soul that it has happened in a city that I am so fond of and love so much,” Fleck said.
Rudolph was also one of several Vikings players who attended the memorial for George Floyd that was held at North Central University on Thursday afternoon and continued to show his support for the community by helping put together this event.
The Vikings tight end is no stranger to giving back to the community. In 2019 Rudolph was the Vikings Nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award. The award is given to the player who is great on and off the field, often looking at the players' volunteer and charity work.
“Timing right now, is perfect for a change. I want to be a part of that.”—@KyleRudolph82At an event in Minneapolis today, Kyle Rudolph brought up the Cincinnati riots of 2001.He said he can’t believe we’re in a similar place 19 years later.(Video: @jwmonicalKSTP) pic.twitter.com/XdX18ZyinP
— Caleb Noe (@CalebNoeTV)
June 5, 2020
