Adam Theilen
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
| Position | College | Years in the NFL |
|---|---|---|
| Wide Receiver | Minnesota State | 9 |
Excellence on the Field:
Adam Thielen understands the importance of making the most of opportunities. Initially invited to the Vikings headquarters in 2013 on a tryout basis as an undrafted rookie out of Minnesota State, Mankato, the receiver earned a spot on the practice squad and then garnered a roster spot primarily as a special teamer in 2014. Adam capped that season with his first receiving touchdown. He recorded the 51st of his career in Week 6 of the 2022 season. He is one of four undrafted players since 1970 to catch at least 50 touchdowns. Entering Week 8, he now has 493 career receptions, needing just seven more to join Cris Carter and Randy Moss as the only players in franchise history with 500-plus catches. With two more touchdown catches, Adam will rank third in the team record book behind Carter and Moss. The two-time Pro Bowler is seventh all-time in Vikings receiving yards and climbing. It's been quite the journey for the Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, native who grew up watching that dynamic duo before becoming half of powerful pairings with Stefon Diggs and now Justin Jefferson. Adam's relentless competitive spirit and desire to achieve have been joined by exemplary sportsmanship.
Dedication & Commitment to Community Efforts This Year:
Humboldt and Harding High Schools were once rivals, but they have combined into one football team, bridging multiple St. Paul neighborhoods and bringing people together under the umbrella of "H-town." The team was able to go through its summer workouts in a renovated weight room at Humboldt High School that was funded with $100,000 from Thielen Foundation. "I haven't seen a summer where there were more kids showing up every day. The way they talk about it and present it is, 'It's our weight room.' Not just football but a weight room that was made for them," Harding Athletic Director Otto Krause said. " 'Thank you' really isn't enough, because for a long time, for a lot of times, the kids at these buildings are used to getting that kind of stuff and having somebody that's thinking about them, and you can tell they're not taking it for granted," added Krause, who was the head coach when the programs united. H-town QB Jorge Irizarry was able to go from 155 pounds to 172 thanks to the new weight room, leading the team to a 7-1 record. "I truly appreciate it because it's an NFL player — not even an NFL player, an NFL superstar — is coming down and helping a St. Paul school out," Irizarry said. "He gave it to a school that hasn't been good at sports." Wanting to enable additional organizations, Adam and Caitlin set out to give/pledge at least $1MM in the 2022 calendar year. As part of that and with a big commitment from Adam and Caitlin themselves, the Thielen Foundation is donating a total of $1 million this fall between the following eight Minnesota nonprofit organizations: V3 Sports — Promotes health, wellness, equity and opportunity through fitness and water safety Gerard Nexus Mental Health Facility — Believes every child should be invested in Children's Minnesota Hospital — Supports children's health through care, research and education Urban Ventures — Reduces opportunity gaps in academics, nutrition and other resources Second Harvest Heartland/Minnesota Central Kitchen — Reduces food insecurity The Salvation Army, Twin Cities — A faith-based, comprehensive approach to meeting human needs Masonic Children's Hospital — Thielen Foundation directly supports the hospital's behavioral health unit Northside Achievement Zone — Strives to end generational poverty and build a culture of achievement in North Minneapolis
Dedication & Commitment to Community Efforts in Years Past:
"ACHIEVE YOUR FULL POTENTIAL" is more than a motto for Thielen. Those words are painted in bold letters on one wall of the recently revolutionized weight room at Humboldt High School in St. Paul and have been at the forefront of Thielen Foundation, which was established in 2018. It's a way of life, a philosophy built on belief and work ethic he exemplifies daily. One of the earliest commitments was $100,000 to the behavioral health unit at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital, directing funds toward an oft-overlooked segment of the population. Thielen Foundation provided funding for space renovations and has continued to direct funds for beneficial programing. Two additional spaces will be renovated this year thanks to another $100,000. In 2020, Thielen Foundation announced the #ChangeThroughSport campaign to direct funds to organizations making impacts through sports. "I think for us, we're just trying to find schools that need the resources, that need those opportunities for these kids to not only have success but also just to want to play sports, to feel like people care about them and that they want to be able to play a sport," Adam said. "In turn, they have to do well in school and graduate and have success outside of sports. We usually do things through sport, but really it's coming full-circle to help them become more complete people." Brooklyn Center received a weight room renovation, as well as the donation of cleats and equipment for all eight fall sports programs (a value of $50,000) and new cleats for two consecutive years for football and soccer teams. Detroit Lakes High School, where Adam attended, also received $100,000 for renovations to its weight room and new jerseys. Robbinsdale Cooper High School received $25,000 for renovations, as well as new jerseys. But one of the biggest gifts was raising and allocating $250,000 to repair the lights at Brooklyn Center's football stadium. The donation restored the lights at Brooklyn Center, allowing for games to be scheduled later in the evening and enabling more of the community to attend. "They heard about our need with the stadium lights," Brooklyn Center Athletic Director Nate Gautsch said. "They came to us and said, 'We want to help.' Despite his successful NFL career, Friday night lights memories remain so special to Adam.
Positive Character & a Lifestyle of Giving Back:
With the world shellshocked in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, everyone wanted to help. Adam built on that desire to give back and quickly brought together other people in the community, as well as Vikings Radio Network partner KFAN 100.3-FM for a radiothon that raised $280,000 (including $100,000 directly from Adam and Caitlin Thielen). The money raised was directed to Second Harvest, M Health Fairview, The Salvation Army and the Minnesota Disaster Recovery Fund ($70,000 each). Adam established a relationship with The Salvation Army early in his career and since 2018 has been able to expand that relationship by adopting between five and 10 families each year through The Salvation Army's Pathway of Hope program. The families receive a Christmas experience they otherwise would not receive, as well as providing assistive funds for computers, school tuition or covering an electric bill. In 2021, Thielen Foundation allocated $375,000 to multiple organizations throughout the Twin Cities. Beyond the financial impacts, Adam provides a tangible example to youth and adults throughout Minnesota and beyond. His story resonates with every football player heading out under Friday night lights, and his path inspires each through the weight room. They see a man who lives his dream and equips others to chase theirs. "Adam's story is inspiring, especially since he's a kid from Minnesota, went to college in Minnesota, was undrafted and is now doing what he's doing for the Minnesota Vikings," Irizarry, the Humboldt High School senior, added. "If I could make it to the NFL and play for my hometown team, it would be amazing." The Minnesota Vikings are proud to select Adam Thielen as their 2022 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year.