Vikings kicker meets empathetic letter-writing 1st-graders

BLAINE, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota kicker Blair Walsh says the messages sent to him by a group of first-graders after he missed the field goal that would've won a playoff game for the Vikings were so touching that he visited the kids at school.

Walsh gave a pep talk, answered questions and roamed from room to room signing autographs Thursday at Northpoint Elementary in suburban Minneapolis.

He says he'll "cherish ... forever" the letters the students wrote to him during a lesson on empathy.

All smiles, Walsh said he takes "accountability and ownership" for his 27-yard kick that hooked left into the wind on Sunday in Minnesota's 10-9 loss to Seattle.

Walsh told the children "that's a big lesson for you."

Watch the kids read their letters in the video above!