The Free Press, Mankato, MN

Sports

August 9, 2007

Vikings notebook: Vikings donate $2,000 to local charities

By Shane Frederick

MANKATO — Vikings owner Zygi Wilf made two $1,000 donations to local charities Wednesday to kick off the team’s “You Made the Team” community tour.

First, Wilf presented a check to the American Heart Association and Eagle Lake Elementary School. He later gave a similar check to the Greater Mankato United Way during a luncheon with local community and business leaders.

Jane Brunz, an Eagle Lake physical education teacher who organizes the school’s Jump Rope for Heart program, accepted the first check.

“It’s a great honor for our school,” she said. “(Jump Rope for Heart) is a big activity. It’s a big part of our school.”

The donation to the United Way will go to the organization’s 2007-08 campaign.

The contributions were made through the Vikings Children’s Fund.

The Vikings’ tour will also make stops in Fergus Falls, Grand Rapids, Granite Falls, Red Wing, Rochester, St. Cloud and Willmar this fall.

Peterson returns

Rookie running back Adrian Peterson returned to practice Wednesday morning. It was, however, a non-tackling session in which the players wore shorts.

Offensive coordinator Darrell Bevel did not say whether the first-round draft pick, who suffered a hip pointer last week, would play in Friday’s preseason opener.

“We still have a couple days to see how healthy we can get him and a few other players, so we haven’t made those decisions yet,” Bevell said. “We still have enough time to get them healed up a little more.”

Back in action

Running back Mewelde Moore returned to the practice field Wednesday afternoon. He was gone Monday and Tuesday after his wife had given birth.

Rookie receiver Aundrae Allison practiced in the morning session after several days of rest for a hamstring.

Players not practicing included defensive end Khreem Smith, cornerback Marcus McCauley, running back Wendell Mathis and linebacker John Kerr.

Odds and ends

Safety Darren Sharper intercepted quarterback Drew Henson three times in the afternoon session. Henson was running the scout team. ... Receiver Troy Williamson had an up-and-down afternoon, going up high to haul in two passes before having a deep sideline pass from Tarvaris Jackson slip through his hands. ... The catch of the day belonged to rookie Sidney Rice, who pulled in a 60-yard touchdown pass from Brooks Bollinger.

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