DETROIT LAKES, Minn. — On a perfect winter noon recess at Rossman Elementary School in Detroit Lakes Friday, March 10, students with red cheeks, T-shirts and sweat-soaked snow pants played some playground football during recess.
"Huddle up, huddle up," said quarterback and fourth-grader Bennett Kuehn.
Some third and fourth graders were proudly wearing #19 jerseys. These are Adam Thielen fans. He went to elementary school while living in Detroit Lakes as a child and he left a mark.
News the Vikings released Thielen made it to these kids before lunch, and it was tough to hear.
"I was mind blown," Kuehn said. "He will always be a Laker and will love him."
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There are some days that playground monitors in Detroit Lakes count 10 Thielen jerseys out on the playground. The big concern of the students is what color Thielen will wear next.
"I really don't want him to go to the Packers," said fourth-grader Peyton Busker.
"I'm still going to support him even if he went to the Packers," Kuehn said.
The kids know Thielen's story. After Detroit Lakes, he received a $500 football scholarship to Minnesota State Mankato, later becoming a Minnesota Viking. One of the best in their record books.
"It makes me want to push myself to be better and practice more," Busker said.
"He's always going to be a Laker," fourth grader Miles Moen said.
"He never gave up and if I try to never give up, maybe I can get to the big leagues like him," Kuehn said.
The good news is the playground football in Detroit Lakes goes on.
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