December 19, 2024 • 27 mins
Welcome to episode 300 of the Minnesota Vikings Podcast presented by Pepsi - Made for Vikings watching! Tatum Everett welcomes Vikings kicker Will Reichard to discuss his rookie NFL experience. Will looks back on the influence his father played in his journey to the NFL, the experience he gained playing at a program like Alabama, how his rehab process helped him refocus, and dives into some of his favorite holiday rituals he shares with family and friends. Plus, Tatum and Paul 'Meatsauce' Lambert breakdown the critical upcoming battle this Sunday in Seattle. All of this and more is in episode 300 of the Minnesota Vikings Podcast presented by Pepsi - Made for Vikings watching!
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Speaker 1 (00:03):
It's another episode of the Minnesota Vikings podcast coming your way.
I'm Tatum Everett from the Vikings Entertainment Network, and your
Vikings swept the Chicago Bears for the third time in
four seasons with a Monday night football victory. We've got
an exciting show for you. Will throw come in on
the show today. We'll have a chat with the rookie
Vikings kicker Will Rekerd. But first let's say hello and
(00:25):
my co host Paul Lambert aka Meet Sauce from kfan's
Power Trip morning show. Sauce, the Vikings twelve and two.
They are now one of three teams with that record
in the NFC. They just keep winning. What'd you think?
Speaker 2 (00:39):
It was an amazing game. I loved being at the game.
The atmosphere was incredible. It was just it's one of
those games where when you watch it and you're there,
or you watching it on TV or listening to it
on the fan. The Bears are so bad that it
was really not much of a contest. But it was
good to see the Vikings continued to do what they
(01:00):
do best. And this is a team that will be
a force in the playoffs whatever seed they get because
they've won on the.
Speaker 3 (01:08):
Road, and they've won on the road a lot.
Speaker 2 (01:10):
They have a tough final three games, but it all
starts this Sunday against Seattle.
Speaker 1 (01:15):
Yeah, I mean, you really want to start talking about
NFC North standings and all that stuff, and we will
get to that, but you control your destiny at this point,
and if you can't get your business done against Seattle
on Sunday, a team who lost terribly to the Packers
on Sunday, they're gonna want a little bit of bounce back,
right Like, this is a team that is outside looking
(01:36):
in right now. They got leapfrog in the NFC North
in those standings, but they still have playoffs on their mind.
So I think it's gonna be a really, really tough
game on Sunday.
Speaker 2 (01:45):
Well, I think it's gonna be a tough game because
Seattle is a really tough place to play.
Speaker 3 (01:50):
In the world of betting.
Speaker 2 (01:52):
They are a three and a half point favorite, so
a lot of the people think the Vikings are the
better team, which they are, but this is one of
those games we're on. If they win and get to
thirteen and two, then the race for the first seed
is on. Because the Lions have to play the forty
nine ers a week from Monday in San Francisco. They
(02:13):
also have to go to Chicago this weekend, which I
know Chicago's bad and I just said how bad they are,
but that is still a tough place to play, and
they are extremely banged up in the defense. So it'll
be an interesting last three games. And we're guaranteed at
least four more. And that's what's the best part about football.
Speaker 1 (02:30):
That is so beautiful to hear. We're guaranteed four more.
And if I'm a team who is winning my division,
more than likely from the West or the South in
the NFC, I am scared to death to face whoever
is going to be that top wild card scene, because
right now it is a toss up between whoever probably
doesn't win the NFC North Championship, which we've got the
(02:54):
Vikings at twelve and two, You've got the Lions at
twelve and two, and then the Packers are a little
bit behind them a couple games back there. It's really
shaping up to be something I think that we've never seen.
In fact, the twenty twenty four NFC North has the
highest combined win percentage by any division since nineteen seventy.
Speaker 3 (03:14):
Wow. That's incredible.
Speaker 1 (03:15):
It's incredible. As a division, they're thirty eight and eighteen.
Speaker 3 (03:20):
Wow.
Speaker 1 (03:20):
I mean, you don't want to pull any of these
teams and be on the road against them.
Speaker 4 (03:25):
No.
Speaker 2 (03:25):
I think the thing that is going to be interesting
is we've talked about this, I think in last week's episode,
is that, like you have a possibility where, like a
fourteen and two and a thirteen and three matchup, however
it works, isn't even worth anything because nothing can change.
You also have an opportunity where if the Lions can
find a way to stumble in one of their next
(03:46):
two games, it may not even matter for the Viking standpoint.
And the other part is as great as the number
one seed would be, it would be excellent to get
the two seed because you'd only have to go on
the road if you play the number one seed, which
would probably be the Eagles.
Speaker 1 (04:03):
That's fair, That's totally fair. Although Philly is super tough
place to play.
Speaker 3 (04:06):
Super tough, you know.
Speaker 1 (04:08):
I think the number one seed would be really critical
to the Vikings. Not critical, but it would be super beneficial.
Not that I know anything about this because I've never played,
but like I'm tired already myself personally, just from being
older and following the season. But I can't imagine having
not had a week off since October. I mean that
(04:29):
just seems so far away or so long ago.
Speaker 3 (04:31):
Yeah, and I.
Speaker 2 (04:32):
Yeah, the one seed is important, but like the other
thing is is you have to also keep in mind
like the last time we played the Lions, it was
such a good game and such a slugfest that four
days later that they lost to the Rams. So like
that game being worth the first round by is going
if it is. If that game is going to be,
(04:53):
that's an unbelievable game because the team that wins gets it.
Speaker 3 (04:58):
The team that doesn't.
Speaker 2 (05:00):
Battle their hurts out and then have to play maybe
five days later on a Sunday or a Saturday and
on the road, like that'll be. If that game is
for the number one seed, that will be one of
the most bic vikings games.
Speaker 3 (05:14):
Of all time.
Speaker 1 (05:15):
You know, I think you're one hundred percent right with that.
I don't even think that's hyperbole. That that really is.
It's going to be so big. But obviously we need
to focus a little bit more on the Seahawks right now,
because that is what's up next for this team? The
Seahawks are you know, battle and Bruce. As you mentioned,
the quarterback is unsure. He's the third most sacked quarterback
in the league. You know, he's thrown a bunch of
(05:37):
interceptions this year. I really do think this could be
a good game for the Vikings defense. Not that they've
really had a terrible game or anything.
Speaker 2 (05:43):
No, And I think this is an opportunity to where
if they can be run on, and they can be
run on relentlessly, and that is something that the Vikings
can also do and that is something going forward that
if you can run the football, you can win almost anywhere.
Speaker 1 (05:57):
Yeah, And I think it's been really nice to see
that as such a point of emphasis for this team,
with Aaron Jones sometimes averaging almost five yards the clip,
it's just good to see that.
Speaker 3 (06:06):
It was.
Speaker 1 (06:06):
Honestly, I was really excited to see how different they
looked in the red zone. You know, so often this
team goes to the pass, and I feel like they
were more effective in the red zone with the run
this time around. It's funny because you know, we're heading
into weeks week sixteen, and I feel like I'm still
getting to know the different facets of this offense, like
the different ways, because they just don't win the same
(06:28):
way every single week.
Speaker 2 (06:30):
Yeah, they win in unbelievable ways. Like Sam didn't have
his best game. He threw forty times and I think
he completed twenty four of him and he threw one touchdown.
Speaker 3 (06:39):
But they ran all over the Bears.
Speaker 2 (06:41):
And it was another one of those things whereas you
see this time of year against teams that are either
banged up like the Seahawks are, or teams are out
of it, you just can't give them an opportunity to
think that they're in it. Because I know they don't
quit because they're professional athletes, but they may take a
little off the gas if they know that the game's
(07:02):
over because they have to protect themselves and all that.
But the Vikings just have to go out and they
can beat teams multiple ways, and they could beat the
Seattle team on the ground this weekend.
Speaker 1 (07:12):
I agree, and for me the other side is also
really important, being able to beat Seattle on the ground.
We're unsure about the status of Kenneth Walker the third yet,
but Zach Charbonnay is is awesome.
Speaker 3 (07:24):
You know.
Speaker 1 (07:25):
I've had him on a couple of my fantasy teams.
Speaker 3 (07:26):
Personally, he's really good.
Speaker 1 (07:28):
But he's really really good, and I think that this
Vikings run defense is going to be interesting. So at
the end of the day, it sounds to me like
we're going to be watching the trenches in this one.
How will the Vikings offensive line respond to get the
run game going, and how is our defensive line going
to be able to stop their running attack. So, especially
if you have Sam Howell's quarterback, they're gonna be relying
(07:48):
heavily on the run. Just knowing that it's not their
typical Gino Smith starter.
Speaker 2 (07:53):
That is interesting too, because although I think that they
have I heard the other day from somebody that they
expect when they start practicing today that the Seahawks will
give Geno the first string reps. But that also is
a game of cat and mouse where you have to
prepare for both quarterbacks, and the Seahawks would be very
(08:15):
dumb to be like, well, yeah, Gino's playing, you got
it right.
Speaker 3 (08:18):
Yeah, you got to give.
Speaker 2 (08:19):
Some kind of message that maybe he is on the fence,
and then you got to prepare for both quarterbacks. But
this is a tough place to play. But this isn't
you know the Vikings were used to This is a
extremely well coached football team that is extremely talented, that
won three straight games on the road, and they can
(08:39):
win in Seattle and they can keep that rolling.
Speaker 1 (08:41):
And you know one thing before we break, We've got
Will Rekert coming up on the show in the next break,
the rookie kicker who has been phenomenal. He dealt with
an injury mid season, he came back, he was perfect
in the game on Monday Night. What do you like
so much about Will record?
Speaker 2 (09:00):
Well, my favorite part about Will Reiker is just his
calmness and how calm he is. And I also like
how and I say this all the time and the
VN that you guys work for and how great of
a job everybody over there does, is how when they
do the game ball bit is they give him one
because he's part of the team. This is a team
And I love that about him, And I just want
(09:20):
to know, like what goes through his mind when he
is walking out there to kick a field goal, because
in about four weeks he's going to need probably be
needed to make a big time kick. And a lot
of Vikings fans have seen the horrors of missing kicks,
and I want to know what his strategy is to
keep calm and make a kick.
Speaker 1 (09:40):
All right, well, I think I can ask him that
question for you. It's an interesting point because the only
time the Vikings have needed a walk off was against
Chicago and it was John Parker Romo who did such
a great job feeling in for Will in his absence
from injury. And so yeah, he hasn't really had that moment.
But the guy, he's got like ice in his veins.
(10:01):
He's he's absolutely unflappable. Just you know, I actually want
to find out, like when did that start? Because I know,
as an SEC football fan, I've seen some terrible Alabama kickers.
Like it was a joke, a running joke in my
you know, group of friends, like death taxes and bad
Alabama kicking always good for us, you know, right, Yeah,
(10:23):
I've never heard that before. But uh but yeah, so
that and so for him when he came by, we
couldn't really say that anymore. And I was really excited
when he came here, knowing his history. So I'm kind
of interested to see, like how, like how'd you become
such like a stone cold killer out there? Right?
Speaker 3 (10:37):
Yeah, that's I can't wait for his answer when you
ask him that.
Speaker 1 (10:39):
Yeah, I know, and he doesn't look He's just so
nice and like friendly looking like you just never think
he could just be so like cold blooded, right.
Speaker 3 (10:46):
Yeah, and he could just pound that football.
Speaker 1 (10:49):
I know the power. Anyway, We're excited for that conversation.
Thank you so much, though, meets Oz for joining us
here on the Minnesota Vikings Podcast. We will have more
coming up on the other side of the break with
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we are back with more of the Minnesota Vikings Podcast.
I'm Tatum Everett from the Vikings Entertainment Network. We're so
happy you'd be joined by Vikings rookie kicker Will Reikert.
But Will, I mean you've I feel like you've been
here for so long, you're already just amazing seven and
(12:14):
seventeen out of twenty out a field goals, one hundred
percent of extra points. Have you had a welcome to
the NFL moment yet?
Speaker 5 (12:20):
Uh? Probably? The Indura had a couple of weeks ago.
Speaker 4 (12:23):
You know, I had such a great start to the
season myself, the team included, and then just all of
a sudden kind of go downhill.
Speaker 5 (12:30):
Will be out for four weeks, So yeah, that's probably.
That was probably it. But you know we're back from
it and ready to roll for the rest of the year.
Speaker 1 (12:38):
How did you spend your time during that week?
Speaker 5 (12:40):
Are those weeks a lot of rehab?
Speaker 3 (12:42):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (12:42):
Lots and lots of rehab, me and Depot being in
there together pretty much all day long, and then honestly
just staying at home trying to stay off my feet,
trying to do extra recovery stuff at home that way
could get back not I didn't get into too much.
Speaker 1 (12:55):
That's good. I mean, you know, you guys didn't have
a You had such a late buy that you probably
have rested up. You feel really good right now. You
come out here and uh, you've been great ever since.
What was it like, I guess mentally to go back
out there and be like, okay, like I need to
see how this goes, like you know what I mean
a couple of weeks ago.
Speaker 4 (13:13):
Yeah, it was awesome being back out there, especially being
with two wins with the team. I mean, obviously that's
the most important thing. But yeah, getting back into it
with practice and everything. You always usually harder mentally than
his physically, just because I haven't felt any pain in
a while, and more so trying to trust your body.
That's that was probably the hardest part getting that trust back.
But I have worked with a great group of guys
(13:36):
with Andrew and Ryan, so if they make it.
Speaker 1 (13:38):
Easy for me, what's that dynamic? Like, you know, they've
they've known each other for a couple of seasons now,
but you've got an elder statesman in Depot and Ryan
kind of fresh, freshly new to the league. What is
what is y'all's dynamic?
Speaker 4 (13:50):
Like, Yeah, it's funny because I mean, Depot is just,
you know, such a vet and I forget all the time,
like how old he really is, because he still acts
like he's really young.
Speaker 5 (14:00):
So it's a funny dynamic.
Speaker 4 (14:01):
But he takes care of us and he shows us
the way, so it's very glad I'm here and have
those guys in our room.
Speaker 1 (14:07):
Did you see Ryan take that hit like a I mean,
he got nailed and then just got back up and
we saw him in the locker raff and he's like
I'm fine, right.
Speaker 5 (14:15):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (14:15):
It kind of scared me there for a minute, because
I mean I saw him walking off the sideline and
I asked him, feels all right?
Speaker 5 (14:20):
And he said he was good. So I was like,
all right, I.
Speaker 4 (14:22):
Don't have to worry about having to go in there
to punt. And then I see him going to the
medical tent and they're like, give him a concussion test. No,
so I was like, oh, here we go, but ended
up being all right, which is good.
Speaker 1 (14:31):
So you're the emergency punter, right yep? Okay, do you
have to practice that every week just to like make
sure your skills are refined there just in case.
Speaker 5 (14:39):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (14:39):
I'll normally hit like, I don't know, two or three
punts a week, just to I mean make sure I
catch the ball from depot.
Speaker 1 (14:46):
And has it ever happened to you in any of
your career, like in your career at all?
Speaker 4 (14:51):
Yeah? Last year when I was at Alabama Orrene, I
got hurt on like the first punt of a game.
Speaker 5 (14:55):
I had to come in and hit like four or
five punts.
Speaker 1 (14:57):
How'd that go for you?
Speaker 5 (14:58):
It was good?
Speaker 3 (14:59):
It was good.
Speaker 4 (14:59):
I mean I grew up doing kicking in punting when
I first got Tallapama. I did both for my freshman
year until I got hurt, and then at that point
I was just kind of the backup phunter just because
I don't want to risk it being hurt anymore.
Speaker 1 (15:12):
Yeah, no, I don't. Yeah, no, you don't want that
at all. When you were growing up, I read about
how your dad coached your soccer team and he got
you into football.
Speaker 3 (15:23):
Were you.
Speaker 1 (15:24):
Were you fully convinced, like I need to do this,
or were there a little bit of hesitation when you
decided to start playing football.
Speaker 4 (15:31):
I mean I grew up watching football and loved football,
but I was big into soccer. But he decided that
I need to be more tough on the soccer field,
so he thought it'd be a good idea to sign
me up for football. And turns out kicking trouts came around.
Now it was just the most I mean I was
only soccer player on the team, so he's usually to
go to, right, Yeah, And so then I just kind
(15:51):
of fell in love with it, stuck with it and
never really ended up I mean I think I played
receiver like my first year, but never really ended up sticking.
Speaker 1 (15:58):
If you guys are interested. Alec Lewis is a writer
for The Athletic and he did a wonderful article on
you and your family and the passion that your dad
had to make sure that he provided you with everything
you needed to be the best athlete that you can.
In your words, like your your father is unfortunately no
longer with us. What what did his legacy like? What
(16:20):
is his legacy for you? Knowing that he believed in
you that much to provide all that for you.
Speaker 4 (16:25):
Yeah, I think, like looking back, it's just kind of
cool of kind of coming to terms with some of
the things that I guess he did that and know
just like all the research he did. I mean he
never played soccer and was never a kicker or anything
like that, but I mean he coached our soccer team
we won multiple national championships. Just the way that he
cared about me and you know, went out of his
(16:45):
way to make sure he could do everything he could
in order for me to be successful is probably what
I look at the most.
Speaker 1 (16:50):
Did he see you here?
Speaker 3 (16:51):
Like?
Speaker 1 (16:52):
Did did he always believe that you would get to
this level?
Speaker 5 (16:55):
I don't know.
Speaker 4 (16:55):
I mean the NFL is never really a conversation really
just because like Downsid, I guess work back where I'm
from in Alabama, we don't have a professional team, and
so I mean we weren't Alabama fans either. We're huge
Florida fans because Tim Tebow. But college was kind of like,
at least for our family, what we watched. We didn't
really watch NFL growing up.
Speaker 1 (17:16):
So what is it like, I guess to be a
part of the NFL now I mean, you obviously knew
more about it when you were in college and saw
you know, you go to Alabama to be in the NFL.
Speaker 5 (17:24):
Right, Yeah, it's super cool to be here.
Speaker 4 (17:26):
I mean, obviously there's not many people that get the opportunity,
so you're trying to take advantage of it.
Speaker 1 (17:30):
When you know the NFL Draft starts. Was there any
point in time you were like, Okay, I really do
think like my name's gonna get called on this final day?
Speaker 5 (17:38):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (17:38):
I think always in Minnesota was an option just because
with our coordinators just reaching out all the time and
did some zoom interviews with them, so I knew that was,
you know, not definitely going to happen by news, an option.
Speaker 5 (17:52):
But yeah, as the draft kind of started to keep.
Speaker 4 (17:55):
Continue to go on and I didn't get a phone call,
it was a little bit nervous at the end, but
you know, it.
Speaker 1 (18:00):
Worked out and then you get the call. Where what
were you doing?
Speaker 4 (18:03):
I was just at my house in Tuscaloosa with my wife.
We were just sitting there watching the draft and you
heard it.
Speaker 1 (18:09):
Did anyone call you before then? And you were like
and then you look down and you're.
Speaker 4 (18:13):
Like, dang, yeah, my wife franked me a few times. No, yeah,
I got really mad at her. She felt she's trying
to be funny, which is funny looking back, but it
wasn't funny in the moment.
Speaker 1 (18:23):
No, I don't think so. I don't know if I
have learned to do that. But when you were able
to talk to Quacy on the phone, what what did
you what were you able to say to him?
Speaker 5 (18:31):
Uh? Shoot, I'll have to watch the video back on YouTube.
I don't even remember. It was all a blur.
Speaker 4 (18:35):
I kind of like just blacked out just because I mean,
it's been a dream of mine for a long time,
and I was like super a lot of adrenaline, super nervous.
But yeah, it was awesome, but I don't remember.
Speaker 1 (18:47):
It's okay when you found out that you were kicking
in a dome, that you didn't have to be up
here in Minnesota and I have to play outside. I
mean as a kicker, I'm sure that kind of makes
you like a thinkingness.
Speaker 5 (18:59):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (19:00):
Yeah, it's definitely an advantage, especially with like how cold
and windy it gets up here. I didn't realize how
Wendy got up here until I came up here. I
was like playing golf in the summer, and I was like,
this is terrible, Like what's going on?
Speaker 1 (19:11):
And you're already embracing the Minnesota Way Golf is like
very very huge here in the summer. You got some
you got some rounds in.
Speaker 5 (19:18):
Yeah, I got a few rounds in. But yeah, I mean.
Speaker 1 (19:21):
Right now, so yeah, not.
Speaker 5 (19:22):
Anymore not ane.
Speaker 1 (19:25):
So you guys are headed to Seattle and Luminfield is
an incredibly difficult place to play. Has anyone or do
you do you guys have these conversations about atmosphere and
weather and things like that within like the special teams units,
so you guys can prepare for what's to come.
Speaker 5 (19:42):
Yeah, I'm sure we'll have that conversation at some point.
I don't know if.
Speaker 4 (19:46):
I mean, I think Andrew's played there. I don't know
if Ryan's played there.
Speaker 1 (19:50):
Or not preseason I think Okay, but.
Speaker 5 (19:53):
We haven't talked about it yet. I'm sure we will.
Speaker 1 (19:55):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (19:55):
My agent was in town for the last week's game
and he was telling me how difficult it to play
up there. But I'm excited for the opportunity. I mean,
especially with a place that's coveted that much. I mean,
it's always exciting to try to go in there and play.
Speaker 2 (20:07):
Well.
Speaker 1 (20:08):
Yeah, it seems like really you're kind of like an
unflappable guy, like like calm, cool and collected, as everyone
describes you that mentally, that's what sets you apart. When
did that become such a weapon for you? When did
you realize, like that is how I can make myself
stand apart.
Speaker 4 (20:25):
Yeah, I think just for how long I've been doing it.
I mean I've been kicking since I was in the
second or third grade, and it's crazy. I mean a
lot of guys like that you talk to in the NFL,
I mean a lot of them don't start to high school.
So I think just like the added reps that I have,
just the belief and my technique and stuff just allows
me to go out there and be calm.
Speaker 1 (20:44):
I mean, it's it's the NFL. It's game after game.
You're just like you get out there and you're just
a surefire. I mean that has to say something to
you about I mean, do you ever sit back and
think about, Okay, you know, in those moments, are you
just like another another day, another routine kick.
Speaker 4 (21:00):
Yeah, I mean I feel like some kicks are definitely
bigger than others, even though we try to tell ourselves
one you know, every kicks the same, but just you know,
the mindset, we've got to have it here and just
try to be super locked in and what I'm doing.
And it's worked well so far. But you know, still
got a lot of season left to play.
Speaker 1 (21:17):
We do, We do a lot of season left, but
so much on the line. I mean, you guys control
your destiny. We were just talking to my co host
on the podcast, Paul earlier in the first segment about
how how the NFC is like has the highest winning
percentage of any division since nineteen seventy. To me, that's
absolutely insane to have three ten win teams in a
(21:38):
division and now you guys have the second hardest schedule
of remaining games. How do you attack that mentally?
Speaker 4 (21:46):
Yeah, I think just taking it on one week at
a time. I think if you look at it like
on a rod scheme, you know, maybe it freaks you
out a little bit. But if you just know, sit
there and take one opponent a out of time and
just really try to focus in on the details, lock
in on the pre operation, that it becomes a lot easier.
Speaker 1 (22:02):
That way, you are a national champion in college and
that's obviously you're chasing championships here. What is something that
you learned from your time in Alabama that you can
apply for the remainder of the season.
Speaker 4 (22:15):
Yeah, I mean, I think just how much everyone cared
about football there and what went into the preparation. I mean,
it is inspiring really watching all these guys that were
super highly touted. It's super you know, talented, but how
hard they work still to continue to get better. And
that's something I've seen a lot here already. Yeah, it's
(22:35):
pretty much the same thing. I mean, guys that are
at the top of their game, you know, have been
in the league for a really long time to where
they don't really have to work that hard anymore, Like
they've made all the money, they've done all this, but
they still attack it every single day and it's it's
pretty cool to watch.
Speaker 1 (22:48):
I love how you just described the Alabama locker room
like that, and you didn't even put yourself in there. Well,
you are highly talented and you are very good yourself. Yeah,
I know you learned a lot of habits from that,
But it's such a great point that you make about
the comparisons between the two. Are you seeing a lot
of similarities in championship aspects in this locker room. Yeah,
(23:11):
what do you think is like the number one thing
a team must have to win a championship?
Speaker 5 (23:16):
You gotta have great leadership.
Speaker 4 (23:17):
In my opinion, that's like huge because you can't really
be that. You got to be a player led team.
And that's something that coach Saban and coach O'Connor talk
of all the time. Is you know, and you want.
Speaker 5 (23:28):
Your best players to be your leaders.
Speaker 4 (23:29):
But just having like guys that can get onto one
another and keep each other accountable instead of the coaches
having to do it, I think is like the biggest thing.
Speaker 1 (23:36):
I love that you guys have a really really good
group of captains.
Speaker 5 (23:39):
Yep.
Speaker 1 (23:40):
One of those captains started a new online series called
tell Us with me tell Us, and I know you
have a feeling where this is probably gonna go. You
dropped a producer track, right, is that something that you've
already done before? Like you said it so naturally, I
just have to kind of know the backstory.
Speaker 5 (23:58):
Yeah, A lot of people have asked, so I don't.
Speaker 4 (24:01):
I didn't even know what he was doing when he
came up to talk smell because and now I kind
of like I come in from to the walk to
the locker room like pretty late, so I kind of
like see him asking people questions. Now you kind of understand,
yeah that I can, like I can have something prepared
if he comes and asks me.
Speaker 5 (24:16):
But I had no idea what he was doing.
Speaker 4 (24:19):
And when he asked me the question, my mind just
went completely blank, and I was like, I gotta say something,
and it's just the first thing that came to mind.
Speaker 5 (24:26):
I've never said it before, but now you'll never not
say it. I was my mind was complete blank.
Speaker 1 (24:32):
But did you see all of the like the edits
or the memes or the retweets or all that kind
of reposts and things like that. Have you seen all
of that?
Speaker 5 (24:40):
Yeah, people have kind of run with it.
Speaker 1 (24:42):
Yeah, it's kind of cool. I think it's catchy.
Speaker 3 (24:44):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (24:45):
My wife wasn't a big fan. What she was embarrassed,
but no.
Speaker 1 (24:50):
I thought it was fantastic. And honestly, every single time
I see like you make a kick, so there's at
least one person under like, well the thrill come in.
I just thought it was so good. I thought you
I thought that was fantastic. I want to have a
little bit more fun before we end the show. It
is the holiday season, so I thought i'd give you
a couple of lightning round questions about the holidays. First
(25:11):
of all, big fan, do you like to celebrate?
Speaker 5 (25:13):
Well, yeah, we love Christmas, okay my family.
Speaker 1 (25:16):
Yeah that's amazing. All right. What's your favorite holiday movie?
Speaker 5 (25:19):
Home Alone's got to take the crown?
Speaker 1 (25:21):
First one? Yep, love that one. Do you have like
a un honorable mention or like a runner up?
Speaker 4 (25:25):
Christmas with the Cranks another good one. I watched it
like two days ago.
Speaker 1 (25:29):
I've heard that was a sneaky good one. What about
your favorite holiday tradition?
Speaker 5 (25:33):
Probably matching pajamas with a family.
Speaker 1 (25:36):
Okay, I like that every year?
Speaker 5 (25:37):
Yeah, every year.
Speaker 1 (25:38):
Nice, Most people don't like that. I admire that. Best
Christmas gift you've ever.
Speaker 5 (25:44):
Received probably a concert to Morgan Wallen.
Speaker 4 (25:49):
That's a big experience. Guy, I'd rather have like an
experience over I mean, I still love gifts and stuff,
but I do I do enjoy the experience.
Speaker 1 (25:57):
I like that. What's the best Christmas if you've given.
Speaker 5 (26:01):
I'm hoping it's going to be this year.
Speaker 1 (26:02):
Oh that's so good. And obviously you can't share. It's
not Christmas yet. Well, I hope that this team can
give all Vikings a win for this Christmas season. You
guys are headed to Seattle. Best of luck. Well, thank
you so much for taking the time to join us.
I know it's a short week, so we appreciate you.
Speaker 5 (26:18):
Thank you very much for having me on. I appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (26:22):
Another big thank you to Will Rekord for being our
guest on this week's Minnesota Vikings podcast. We have plenty
more wonderful player centric content located on Vikings dot com
or the Vikings at be sure to go check that out.
Before the big Vikings game on Sunday, Minnesota travels to
Seattle to face the Seahawks. It's a three h five
(26:43):
kick our time. The Vikings are going for their eighth
straight win. They're trying to improve to thirteen and two.
It is such a tough end of the schedule, but
such an exciting time to be a Vikings fan. Thank
you so much for listening to the Minnesota Vikings Podcast
and we will see you guys is next week.
It's another episode of the Minnesota Vikings podcast coming your way.
I'm Tatum Everett from the Vikings Entertainment Network, and your
Vikings swept the Chicago Bears for the third time in
four seasons with a Monday night football victory. We've got
an exciting show for you. Will throw come in on
the show today. We'll have a chat with the rookie
Vikings kicker Will Rekerd. But first let's say hello and
(00:25):
my co host Paul Lambert aka Meet Sauce from kfan's
Power Trip morning show. Sauce, the Vikings twelve and two.
They are now one of three teams with that record
in the NFC. They just keep winning. What'd you think?
Speaker 2 (00:39):
It was an amazing game. I loved being at the game.
The atmosphere was incredible. It was just it's one of
those games where when you watch it and you're there,
or you watching it on TV or listening to it
on the fan. The Bears are so bad that it
was really not much of a contest. But it was
good to see the Vikings continued to do what they
(01:00):
do best. And this is a team that will be
a force in the playoffs whatever seed they get because
they've won on the.
Speaker 3 (01:08):
Road, and they've won on the road a lot.
Speaker 2 (01:10):
They have a tough final three games, but it all
starts this Sunday against Seattle.
Speaker 1 (01:15):
Yeah, I mean, you really want to start talking about
NFC North standings and all that stuff, and we will
get to that, but you control your destiny at this point,
and if you can't get your business done against Seattle
on Sunday, a team who lost terribly to the Packers
on Sunday, they're gonna want a little bit of bounce back,
right Like, this is a team that is outside looking
(01:36):
in right now. They got leapfrog in the NFC North
in those standings, but they still have playoffs on their mind.
So I think it's gonna be a really, really tough
game on Sunday.
Speaker 2 (01:45):
Well, I think it's gonna be a tough game because
Seattle is a really tough place to play.
Speaker 3 (01:50):
In the world of betting.
Speaker 2 (01:52):
They are a three and a half point favorite, so
a lot of the people think the Vikings are the
better team, which they are, but this is one of
those games we're on. If they win and get to
thirteen and two, then the race for the first seed
is on. Because the Lions have to play the forty
nine ers a week from Monday in San Francisco. They
(02:13):
also have to go to Chicago this weekend, which I
know Chicago's bad and I just said how bad they are,
but that is still a tough place to play, and
they are extremely banged up in the defense. So it'll
be an interesting last three games. And we're guaranteed at
least four more. And that's what's the best part about football.
Speaker 1 (02:30):
That is so beautiful to hear. We're guaranteed four more.
And if I'm a team who is winning my division,
more than likely from the West or the South in
the NFC, I am scared to death to face whoever
is going to be that top wild card scene, because
right now it is a toss up between whoever probably
doesn't win the NFC North Championship, which we've got the
(02:54):
Vikings at twelve and two, You've got the Lions at
twelve and two, and then the Packers are a little
bit behind them a couple games back there. It's really
shaping up to be something I think that we've never seen.
In fact, the twenty twenty four NFC North has the
highest combined win percentage by any division since nineteen seventy.
Speaker 3 (03:14):
Wow. That's incredible.
Speaker 1 (03:15):
It's incredible. As a division, they're thirty eight and eighteen.
Speaker 3 (03:20):
Wow.
Speaker 1 (03:20):
I mean, you don't want to pull any of these
teams and be on the road against them.
Speaker 4 (03:25):
No.
Speaker 2 (03:25):
I think the thing that is going to be interesting
is we've talked about this, I think in last week's episode,
is that, like you have a possibility where, like a
fourteen and two and a thirteen and three matchup, however
it works, isn't even worth anything because nothing can change.
You also have an opportunity where if the Lions can
find a way to stumble in one of their next
(03:46):
two games, it may not even matter for the Viking standpoint.
And the other part is as great as the number
one seed would be, it would be excellent to get
the two seed because you'd only have to go on
the road if you play the number one seed, which
would probably be the Eagles.
Speaker 1 (04:03):
That's fair, That's totally fair. Although Philly is super tough
place to play.
Speaker 3 (04:06):
Super tough, you know.
Speaker 1 (04:08):
I think the number one seed would be really critical
to the Vikings. Not critical, but it would be super beneficial.
Not that I know anything about this because I've never played,
but like I'm tired already myself personally, just from being
older and following the season. But I can't imagine having
not had a week off since October. I mean that
(04:29):
just seems so far away or so long ago.
Speaker 3 (04:31):
Yeah, and I.
Speaker 2 (04:32):
Yeah, the one seed is important, but like the other
thing is is you have to also keep in mind
like the last time we played the Lions, it was
such a good game and such a slugfest that four
days later that they lost to the Rams. So like
that game being worth the first round by is going
if it is. If that game is going to be,
(04:53):
that's an unbelievable game because the team that wins gets it.
Speaker 3 (04:58):
The team that doesn't.
Speaker 2 (05:00):
Battle their hurts out and then have to play maybe
five days later on a Sunday or a Saturday and
on the road, like that'll be. If that game is
for the number one seed, that will be one of
the most bic vikings games.
Speaker 3 (05:14):
Of all time.
Speaker 1 (05:15):
You know, I think you're one hundred percent right with that.
I don't even think that's hyperbole. That that really is.
It's going to be so big. But obviously we need
to focus a little bit more on the Seahawks right now,
because that is what's up next for this team? The
Seahawks are you know, battle and Bruce. As you mentioned,
the quarterback is unsure. He's the third most sacked quarterback
in the league. You know, he's thrown a bunch of
(05:37):
interceptions this year. I really do think this could be
a good game for the Vikings defense. Not that they've
really had a terrible game or anything.
Speaker 2 (05:43):
No, And I think this is an opportunity to where
if they can be run on, and they can be
run on relentlessly, and that is something that the Vikings
can also do and that is something going forward that
if you can run the football, you can win almost anywhere.
Speaker 1 (05:57):
Yeah, And I think it's been really nice to see
that as such a point of emphasis for this team,
with Aaron Jones sometimes averaging almost five yards the clip,
it's just good to see that.
Speaker 3 (06:06):
It was.
Speaker 1 (06:06):
Honestly, I was really excited to see how different they
looked in the red zone. You know, so often this
team goes to the pass, and I feel like they
were more effective in the red zone with the run
this time around. It's funny because you know, we're heading
into weeks week sixteen, and I feel like I'm still
getting to know the different facets of this offense, like
the different ways, because they just don't win the same
(06:28):
way every single week.
Speaker 2 (06:30):
Yeah, they win in unbelievable ways. Like Sam didn't have
his best game. He threw forty times and I think
he completed twenty four of him and he threw one touchdown.
Speaker 3 (06:39):
But they ran all over the Bears.
Speaker 2 (06:41):
And it was another one of those things whereas you
see this time of year against teams that are either
banged up like the Seahawks are, or teams are out
of it, you just can't give them an opportunity to
think that they're in it. Because I know they don't
quit because they're professional athletes, but they may take a
little off the gas if they know that the game's
(07:02):
over because they have to protect themselves and all that.
But the Vikings just have to go out and they
can beat teams multiple ways, and they could beat the
Seattle team on the ground this weekend.
Speaker 1 (07:12):
I agree, and for me the other side is also
really important, being able to beat Seattle on the ground.
We're unsure about the status of Kenneth Walker the third yet,
but Zach Charbonnay is is awesome.
Speaker 3 (07:24):
You know.
Speaker 1 (07:25):
I've had him on a couple of my fantasy teams.
Speaker 3 (07:26):
Personally, he's really good.
Speaker 1 (07:28):
But he's really really good, and I think that this
Vikings run defense is going to be interesting. So at
the end of the day, it sounds to me like
we're going to be watching the trenches in this one.
How will the Vikings offensive line respond to get the
run game going, and how is our defensive line going
to be able to stop their running attack. So, especially
if you have Sam Howell's quarterback, they're gonna be relying
(07:48):
heavily on the run. Just knowing that it's not their
typical Gino Smith starter.
Speaker 2 (07:53):
That is interesting too, because although I think that they
have I heard the other day from somebody that they
expect when they start practicing today that the Seahawks will
give Geno the first string reps. But that also is
a game of cat and mouse where you have to
prepare for both quarterbacks, and the Seahawks would be very
(08:15):
dumb to be like, well, yeah, Gino's playing, you got
it right.
Speaker 3 (08:18):
Yeah, you got to give.
Speaker 2 (08:19):
Some kind of message that maybe he is on the fence,
and then you got to prepare for both quarterbacks. But
this is a tough place to play. But this isn't
you know the Vikings were used to This is a
extremely well coached football team that is extremely talented, that
won three straight games on the road, and they can
(08:39):
win in Seattle and they can keep that rolling.
Speaker 1 (08:41):
And you know one thing before we break, We've got
Will Rekert coming up on the show in the next break,
the rookie kicker who has been phenomenal. He dealt with
an injury mid season, he came back, he was perfect
in the game on Monday Night. What do you like
so much about Will record?
Speaker 2 (09:00):
Well, my favorite part about Will Reiker is just his
calmness and how calm he is. And I also like
how and I say this all the time and the
VN that you guys work for and how great of
a job everybody over there does, is how when they
do the game ball bit is they give him one
because he's part of the team. This is a team
And I love that about him, And I just want
(09:20):
to know, like what goes through his mind when he
is walking out there to kick a field goal, because
in about four weeks he's going to need probably be
needed to make a big time kick. And a lot
of Vikings fans have seen the horrors of missing kicks,
and I want to know what his strategy is to
keep calm and make a kick.
Speaker 1 (09:40):
All right, well, I think I can ask him that
question for you. It's an interesting point because the only
time the Vikings have needed a walk off was against
Chicago and it was John Parker Romo who did such
a great job feeling in for Will in his absence
from injury. And so yeah, he hasn't really had that moment.
But the guy, he's got like ice in his veins.
(10:01):
He's he's absolutely unflappable. Just you know, I actually want
to find out, like when did that start? Because I know,
as an SEC football fan, I've seen some terrible Alabama kickers.
Like it was a joke, a running joke in my
you know, group of friends, like death taxes and bad
Alabama kicking always good for us, you know, right, Yeah,
(10:23):
I've never heard that before. But uh but yeah, so
that and so for him when he came by, we
couldn't really say that anymore. And I was really excited
when he came here, knowing his history. So I'm kind
of interested to see, like how, like how'd you become
such like a stone cold killer out there? Right?
Speaker 3 (10:37):
Yeah, that's I can't wait for his answer when you
ask him that.
Speaker 1 (10:39):
Yeah, I know, and he doesn't look He's just so
nice and like friendly looking like you just never think
he could just be so like cold blooded, right.
Speaker 3 (10:46):
Yeah, and he could just pound that football.
Speaker 1 (10:49):
I know the power. Anyway, We're excited for that conversation.
Thank you so much, though, meets Oz for joining us
here on the Minnesota Vikings Podcast. We will have more
coming up on the other side of the break with
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(11:54):
loves the taste of victory. Order at Tailgatespices dot com. Today, Scold,
we are back with more of the Minnesota Vikings Podcast.
I'm Tatum Everett from the Vikings Entertainment Network. We're so
happy you'd be joined by Vikings rookie kicker Will Reikert.
But Will, I mean you've I feel like you've been
here for so long, you're already just amazing seven and
(12:14):
seventeen out of twenty out a field goals, one hundred
percent of extra points. Have you had a welcome to
the NFL moment yet?
Speaker 5 (12:20):
Uh? Probably? The Indura had a couple of weeks ago.
Speaker 4 (12:23):
You know, I had such a great start to the
season myself, the team included, and then just all of
a sudden kind of go downhill.
Speaker 5 (12:30):
Will be out for four weeks, So yeah, that's probably.
That was probably it. But you know we're back from
it and ready to roll for the rest of the year.
Speaker 1 (12:38):
How did you spend your time during that week?
Speaker 5 (12:40):
Are those weeks a lot of rehab?
Speaker 3 (12:42):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (12:42):
Lots and lots of rehab, me and Depot being in
there together pretty much all day long, and then honestly
just staying at home trying to stay off my feet,
trying to do extra recovery stuff at home that way
could get back not I didn't get into too much.
Speaker 1 (12:55):
That's good. I mean, you know, you guys didn't have
a You had such a late buy that you probably
have rested up. You feel really good right now. You
come out here and uh, you've been great ever since.
What was it like, I guess mentally to go back
out there and be like, okay, like I need to
see how this goes, like you know what I mean
a couple of weeks ago.
Speaker 4 (13:13):
Yeah, it was awesome being back out there, especially being
with two wins with the team. I mean, obviously that's
the most important thing. But yeah, getting back into it
with practice and everything. You always usually harder mentally than
his physically, just because I haven't felt any pain in
a while, and more so trying to trust your body.
That's that was probably the hardest part getting that trust back.
But I have worked with a great group of guys
(13:36):
with Andrew and Ryan, so if they make it.
Speaker 1 (13:38):
Easy for me, what's that dynamic? Like, you know, they've
they've known each other for a couple of seasons now,
but you've got an elder statesman in Depot and Ryan
kind of fresh, freshly new to the league. What is
what is y'all's dynamic?
Speaker 4 (13:50):
Like, Yeah, it's funny because I mean, Depot is just,
you know, such a vet and I forget all the time,
like how old he really is, because he still acts
like he's really young.
Speaker 5 (14:00):
So it's a funny dynamic.
Speaker 4 (14:01):
But he takes care of us and he shows us
the way, so it's very glad I'm here and have
those guys in our room.
Speaker 1 (14:07):
Did you see Ryan take that hit like a I mean,
he got nailed and then just got back up and
we saw him in the locker raff and he's like
I'm fine, right.
Speaker 5 (14:15):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (14:15):
It kind of scared me there for a minute, because
I mean I saw him walking off the sideline and
I asked him, feels all right?
Speaker 5 (14:20):
And he said he was good. So I was like,
all right, I.
Speaker 4 (14:22):
Don't have to worry about having to go in there
to punt. And then I see him going to the
medical tent and they're like, give him a concussion test. No,
so I was like, oh, here we go, but ended
up being all right, which is good.
Speaker 1 (14:31):
So you're the emergency punter, right yep? Okay, do you
have to practice that every week just to like make
sure your skills are refined there just in case.
Speaker 5 (14:39):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (14:39):
I'll normally hit like, I don't know, two or three
punts a week, just to I mean make sure I
catch the ball from depot.
Speaker 1 (14:46):
And has it ever happened to you in any of
your career, like in your career at all?
Speaker 4 (14:51):
Yeah? Last year when I was at Alabama Orrene, I
got hurt on like the first punt of a game.
Speaker 5 (14:55):
I had to come in and hit like four or
five punts.
Speaker 1 (14:57):
How'd that go for you?
Speaker 5 (14:58):
It was good?
Speaker 3 (14:59):
It was good.
Speaker 4 (14:59):
I mean I grew up doing kicking in punting when
I first got Tallapama. I did both for my freshman
year until I got hurt, and then at that point
I was just kind of the backup phunter just because
I don't want to risk it being hurt anymore.
Speaker 1 (15:12):
Yeah, no, I don't. Yeah, no, you don't want that
at all. When you were growing up, I read about
how your dad coached your soccer team and he got
you into football.
Speaker 3 (15:23):
Were you.
Speaker 1 (15:24):
Were you fully convinced, like I need to do this,
or were there a little bit of hesitation when you
decided to start playing football.
Speaker 4 (15:31):
I mean I grew up watching football and loved football,
but I was big into soccer. But he decided that
I need to be more tough on the soccer field,
so he thought it'd be a good idea to sign
me up for football. And turns out kicking trouts came around.
Now it was just the most I mean I was
only soccer player on the team, so he's usually to
go to, right, Yeah, And so then I just kind
(15:51):
of fell in love with it, stuck with it and
never really ended up I mean I think I played
receiver like my first year, but never really ended up sticking.
Speaker 1 (15:58):
If you guys are interested. Alec Lewis is a writer
for The Athletic and he did a wonderful article on
you and your family and the passion that your dad
had to make sure that he provided you with everything
you needed to be the best athlete that you can.
In your words, like your your father is unfortunately no
longer with us. What what did his legacy like? What
(16:20):
is his legacy for you? Knowing that he believed in
you that much to provide all that for you.
Speaker 4 (16:25):
Yeah, I think, like looking back, it's just kind of
cool of kind of coming to terms with some of
the things that I guess he did that and know
just like all the research he did. I mean he
never played soccer and was never a kicker or anything
like that, but I mean he coached our soccer team
we won multiple national championships. Just the way that he
cared about me and you know, went out of his
(16:45):
way to make sure he could do everything he could
in order for me to be successful is probably what
I look at the most.
Speaker 1 (16:50):
Did he see you here?
Speaker 3 (16:51):
Like?
Speaker 1 (16:52):
Did did he always believe that you would get to
this level?
Speaker 5 (16:55):
I don't know.
Speaker 4 (16:55):
I mean the NFL is never really a conversation really
just because like Downsid, I guess work back where I'm
from in Alabama, we don't have a professional team, and
so I mean we weren't Alabama fans either. We're huge
Florida fans because Tim Tebow. But college was kind of like,
at least for our family, what we watched. We didn't
really watch NFL growing up.
Speaker 1 (17:16):
So what is it like, I guess to be a
part of the NFL now I mean, you obviously knew
more about it when you were in college and saw
you know, you go to Alabama to be in the NFL.
Speaker 5 (17:24):
Right, Yeah, it's super cool to be here.
Speaker 4 (17:26):
I mean, obviously there's not many people that get the opportunity,
so you're trying to take advantage of it.
Speaker 1 (17:30):
When you know the NFL Draft starts. Was there any
point in time you were like, Okay, I really do
think like my name's gonna get called on this final day?
Speaker 5 (17:38):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (17:38):
I think always in Minnesota was an option just because
with our coordinators just reaching out all the time and
did some zoom interviews with them, so I knew that was,
you know, not definitely going to happen by news, an option.
Speaker 5 (17:52):
But yeah, as the draft kind of started to keep.
Speaker 4 (17:55):
Continue to go on and I didn't get a phone call,
it was a little bit nervous at the end, but
you know, it.
Speaker 1 (18:00):
Worked out and then you get the call. Where what
were you doing?
Speaker 4 (18:03):
I was just at my house in Tuscaloosa with my wife.
We were just sitting there watching the draft and you
heard it.
Speaker 1 (18:09):
Did anyone call you before then? And you were like
and then you look down and you're.
Speaker 4 (18:13):
Like, dang, yeah, my wife franked me a few times. No, yeah,
I got really mad at her. She felt she's trying
to be funny, which is funny looking back, but it
wasn't funny in the moment.
Speaker 1 (18:23):
No, I don't think so. I don't know if I
have learned to do that. But when you were able
to talk to Quacy on the phone, what what did
you what were you able to say to him?
Speaker 5 (18:31):
Uh? Shoot, I'll have to watch the video back on YouTube.
I don't even remember. It was all a blur.
Speaker 4 (18:35):
I kind of like just blacked out just because I mean,
it's been a dream of mine for a long time,
and I was like super a lot of adrenaline, super nervous.
But yeah, it was awesome, but I don't remember.
Speaker 1 (18:47):
It's okay when you found out that you were kicking
in a dome, that you didn't have to be up
here in Minnesota and I have to play outside. I
mean as a kicker, I'm sure that kind of makes
you like a thinkingness.
Speaker 5 (18:59):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (19:00):
Yeah, it's definitely an advantage, especially with like how cold
and windy it gets up here. I didn't realize how
Wendy got up here until I came up here. I
was like playing golf in the summer, and I was like,
this is terrible, Like what's going on?
Speaker 1 (19:11):
And you're already embracing the Minnesota Way Golf is like
very very huge here in the summer. You got some
you got some rounds in.
Speaker 5 (19:18):
Yeah, I got a few rounds in. But yeah, I mean.
Speaker 1 (19:21):
Right now, so yeah, not.
Speaker 5 (19:22):
Anymore not ane.
Speaker 1 (19:25):
So you guys are headed to Seattle and Luminfield is
an incredibly difficult place to play. Has anyone or do
you do you guys have these conversations about atmosphere and
weather and things like that within like the special teams units,
so you guys can prepare for what's to come.
Speaker 5 (19:42):
Yeah, I'm sure we'll have that conversation at some point.
I don't know if.
Speaker 4 (19:46):
I mean, I think Andrew's played there. I don't know
if Ryan's played there.
Speaker 1 (19:50):
Or not preseason I think Okay, but.
Speaker 5 (19:53):
We haven't talked about it yet. I'm sure we will.
Speaker 1 (19:55):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (19:55):
My agent was in town for the last week's game
and he was telling me how difficult it to play
up there. But I'm excited for the opportunity. I mean,
especially with a place that's coveted that much. I mean,
it's always exciting to try to go in there and play.
Speaker 2 (20:07):
Well.
Speaker 1 (20:08):
Yeah, it seems like really you're kind of like an
unflappable guy, like like calm, cool and collected, as everyone
describes you that mentally, that's what sets you apart. When
did that become such a weapon for you? When did
you realize, like that is how I can make myself
stand apart.
Speaker 4 (20:25):
Yeah, I think just for how long I've been doing it.
I mean I've been kicking since I was in the
second or third grade, and it's crazy. I mean a
lot of guys like that you talk to in the NFL,
I mean a lot of them don't start to high school.
So I think just like the added reps that I have,
just the belief and my technique and stuff just allows
me to go out there and be calm.
Speaker 1 (20:44):
I mean, it's it's the NFL. It's game after game.
You're just like you get out there and you're just
a surefire. I mean that has to say something to
you about I mean, do you ever sit back and
think about, Okay, you know, in those moments, are you
just like another another day, another routine kick.
Speaker 4 (21:00):
Yeah, I mean I feel like some kicks are definitely
bigger than others, even though we try to tell ourselves
one you know, every kicks the same, but just you know,
the mindset, we've got to have it here and just
try to be super locked in and what I'm doing.
And it's worked well so far. But you know, still
got a lot of season left to play.
Speaker 1 (21:17):
We do, We do a lot of season left, but
so much on the line. I mean, you guys control
your destiny. We were just talking to my co host
on the podcast, Paul earlier in the first segment about
how how the NFC is like has the highest winning
percentage of any division since nineteen seventy. To me, that's
absolutely insane to have three ten win teams in a
(21:38):
division and now you guys have the second hardest schedule
of remaining games. How do you attack that mentally?
Speaker 4 (21:46):
Yeah, I think just taking it on one week at
a time. I think if you look at it like
on a rod scheme, you know, maybe it freaks you
out a little bit. But if you just know, sit
there and take one opponent a out of time and
just really try to focus in on the details, lock
in on the pre operation, that it becomes a lot easier.
Speaker 1 (22:02):
That way, you are a national champion in college and
that's obviously you're chasing championships here. What is something that
you learned from your time in Alabama that you can
apply for the remainder of the season.
Speaker 4 (22:15):
Yeah, I mean, I think just how much everyone cared
about football there and what went into the preparation. I mean,
it is inspiring really watching all these guys that were
super highly touted. It's super you know, talented, but how
hard they work still to continue to get better. And
that's something I've seen a lot here already. Yeah, it's
(22:35):
pretty much the same thing. I mean, guys that are
at the top of their game, you know, have been
in the league for a really long time to where
they don't really have to work that hard anymore, Like
they've made all the money, they've done all this, but
they still attack it every single day and it's it's
pretty cool to watch.
Speaker 1 (22:48):
I love how you just described the Alabama locker room
like that, and you didn't even put yourself in there. Well,
you are highly talented and you are very good yourself. Yeah,
I know you learned a lot of habits from that,
But it's such a great point that you make about
the comparisons between the two. Are you seeing a lot
of similarities in championship aspects in this locker room. Yeah,
(23:11):
what do you think is like the number one thing
a team must have to win a championship?
Speaker 5 (23:16):
You gotta have great leadership.
Speaker 4 (23:17):
In my opinion, that's like huge because you can't really
be that. You got to be a player led team.
And that's something that coach Saban and coach O'Connor talk
of all the time. Is you know, and you want.
Speaker 5 (23:28):
Your best players to be your leaders.
Speaker 4 (23:29):
But just having like guys that can get onto one
another and keep each other accountable instead of the coaches
having to do it, I think is like the biggest thing.
Speaker 1 (23:36):
I love that you guys have a really really good
group of captains.
Speaker 5 (23:39):
Yep.
Speaker 1 (23:40):
One of those captains started a new online series called
tell Us with me tell Us, and I know you
have a feeling where this is probably gonna go. You
dropped a producer track, right, is that something that you've
already done before? Like you said it so naturally, I
just have to kind of know the backstory.
Speaker 5 (23:58):
Yeah, A lot of people have asked, so I don't.
Speaker 4 (24:01):
I didn't even know what he was doing when he
came up to talk smell because and now I kind
of like I come in from to the walk to
the locker room like pretty late, so I kind of
like see him asking people questions. Now you kind of understand,
yeah that I can, like I can have something prepared
if he comes and asks me.
Speaker 5 (24:16):
But I had no idea what he was doing.
Speaker 4 (24:19):
And when he asked me the question, my mind just
went completely blank, and I was like, I gotta say something,
and it's just the first thing that came to mind.
Speaker 5 (24:26):
I've never said it before, but now you'll never not
say it. I was my mind was complete blank.
Speaker 1 (24:32):
But did you see all of the like the edits
or the memes or the retweets or all that kind
of reposts and things like that. Have you seen all
of that?
Speaker 5 (24:40):
Yeah, people have kind of run with it.
Speaker 1 (24:42):
Yeah, it's kind of cool. I think it's catchy.
Speaker 3 (24:44):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (24:45):
My wife wasn't a big fan. What she was embarrassed,
but no.
Speaker 1 (24:50):
I thought it was fantastic. And honestly, every single time
I see like you make a kick, so there's at
least one person under like, well the thrill come in.
I just thought it was so good. I thought you
I thought that was fantastic. I want to have a
little bit more fun before we end the show. It
is the holiday season, so I thought i'd give you
a couple of lightning round questions about the holidays. First
(25:11):
of all, big fan, do you like to celebrate?
Speaker 5 (25:13):
Well, yeah, we love Christmas, okay my family.
Speaker 1 (25:16):
Yeah that's amazing. All right. What's your favorite holiday movie?
Speaker 5 (25:19):
Home Alone's got to take the crown?
Speaker 1 (25:21):
First one? Yep, love that one. Do you have like
a un honorable mention or like a runner up?
Speaker 4 (25:25):
Christmas with the Cranks another good one. I watched it
like two days ago.
Speaker 1 (25:29):
I've heard that was a sneaky good one. What about
your favorite holiday tradition?
Speaker 5 (25:33):
Probably matching pajamas with a family.
Speaker 1 (25:36):
Okay, I like that every year?
Speaker 5 (25:37):
Yeah, every year.
Speaker 1 (25:38):
Nice, Most people don't like that. I admire that. Best
Christmas gift you've ever.
Speaker 5 (25:44):
Received probably a concert to Morgan Wallen.
Speaker 4 (25:49):
That's a big experience. Guy, I'd rather have like an
experience over I mean, I still love gifts and stuff,
but I do I do enjoy the experience.
Speaker 1 (25:57):
I like that. What's the best Christmas if you've given.
Speaker 5 (26:01):
I'm hoping it's going to be this year.
Speaker 1 (26:02):
Oh that's so good. And obviously you can't share. It's
not Christmas yet. Well, I hope that this team can
give all Vikings a win for this Christmas season. You
guys are headed to Seattle. Best of luck. Well, thank
you so much for taking the time to join us.
I know it's a short week, so we appreciate you.
Speaker 5 (26:18):
Thank you very much for having me on. I appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (26:22):
Another big thank you to Will Rekord for being our
guest on this week's Minnesota Vikings podcast. We have plenty
more wonderful player centric content located on Vikings dot com
or the Vikings at be sure to go check that out.
Before the big Vikings game on Sunday, Minnesota travels to
Seattle to face the Seahawks. It's a three h five
(26:43):
kick our time. The Vikings are going for their eighth
straight win. They're trying to improve to thirteen and two.
It is such a tough end of the schedule, but
such an exciting time to be a Vikings fan. Thank
you so much for listening to the Minnesota Vikings Podcast
and we will see you guys is next week.
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