culpepper, nice move...

[otto_man]

Calling an audible:

A touching gesture by Minnesota Vikings quarterback Daunte Culpepper turned into a strange scene Wednesday at a crowded convention center ballroom.

Culpepper, appearing at a sponsor's NFL award ceremony, presented a paralyzed high school football player with two diamond necklaces worth about $75,000, but then awkwardly asked for them back after it was finished.

"I'll get him something else," Culpepper said sheepishly.

When paralyzed Jacksonville Episcopal High senior Jerry Townsend spoke up from his wheelchair in the front row and asked, "Hey Daunte, can I get some of that ice?" Culpepper jumped up and brought the necklaces to Townsend.

After Culpepper put the necklaces around Townsend's neck, his mother started to cry. His father talked about needing to get a safe for the expensive jewelry. Culpepper, meanwhile, patiently answered dozens of questions while keeping a close eye on his jewelry across the room.

After the program, Culpepper asked the Townsends to write down their address so he could send them something else. Culpepper wasn't sure what it would be.

i'm guessing it will be some locks from Moss's hair!!

[buzzsaw]

I see your back at work today otto. That would be an awkward situation to be in! I'm sure the media probably did it's best to keep to the facts and not over exagerate on any details.

[Guest]

Ohhhh.....let the spin begin!!!!

Do you honestly for one second believe that ANYONE would just up and give someone 100k worth of jewlery?

dump, he was nice enough to let the kid wear it, those people would have to be pretty niave to think he was giving that stuff away.

It was a cool gesture, and the people took it beyond what it was meant to be. It's just today's mentality....gimme, gimme, gimme.

Another chance for the national media to bring a good Viking down!!

[otto_man]

buzzsaw

did you see the bucks beat the wolves the other night?

[mnvikingsfreak]

skol vikings

[otto_man]

freak, i noticed on the picture of your brother there he's got the locks missing already that culpepper sent to that poor boy, his crying mother and father who will have to invest in a safe.

at what point in all of that does culpepper see things are slipping fast and maybe just maybe he should say, kid just wear it for a while and i'll send you something another day?

no, he lets him believe it's his and then comes back and snatches the necklase and the pure excitement from the poor boy!!!! is that a re-nig?

[BIG ISLAND DUDE]

can anyone post some pics for me. I will email them to you. They are great(clean) anti-packer pics.

-mike1palmer at yahoo dot com-

[mnvikingsfreak]

JACKSONVILLE, FLA. -- This is what happens when there is too much media and not enough stories.

One of the NFL's most genuine and kind players carried out a genuinely kind act Wednesday. And what did Vikings quarterback Daunte Culpepper get for his thoughtfulness?

National scorn, thanks to an Associated Press reporter who misinterpreted the scene and never bothered to follow up with the key players.

Here's what happened: While participating in a news conference Wednesday, Culpepper fielded an awkward question from a paralyzed 17-year-old boy. "Hey Daunte," said J.T. Townsend. "Can I get some ice?" -- a reference to the $100,000, diamond-encrusted necklace around Culpepper's neck.

With cameras rolling, Culpepper walked over to Townsend and thrilled him by hanging the necklace around his neck. Later, Culpepper sought out Townsend and put the chain back on. At Culpepper's request, Townsend's parents wrote down his address and contact information. Culpepper promised to send him gifts and memorabilia.

We were standing at Culpepper's side when the transaction took place. There was no animosity, no hurt feelings and no accusations of impropriety -- only thank-yous from Townsend, his parents and a doctor nearby.

The AP version of the story, however, in essence painted Culpepper as a spoiled athlete who "sheepishly" took away a gift from a paralyzed teenager once the cameras stopped shooting. Newspapers and Internet sites picked up the story nationally. One problem: Nothing could have been further from the truth.

Anyone who has met Culpepper knows he wears the necklace every day. He has for years. Garish as it might be -- its main ornament is a 6-inch hot pepper -- it carries sentimental and personal value. Since when is anyone -- athlete, actor, politician or average schmoe -- obligated to hand over personal possessions permanently when someone asks? Or should Culpepper have shot down the request and embarrassed Townsend on television?

If that's your story, then the next time someone asks you for your wedding ring or a sweater your grandmother knitted, you better cough it up. Or else find some real news to write about- star tribune

[mnvikingsfreak]

funny how non vikings fans turn the story around on these forums........I guess if you cant beat them,vikings 31 fudge packers 17 in front of their home crowd you find some way to knock them.

[buzzsaw]

Ottoman,

The T'wolves are playing diseased B'ball this season! I have a hard time watching a team play like they have been because I know they can be so much better. They are still my favorite Bball team... unless Milwaulkee somehow becomes a better team... then I'll be like all of the Packer fans, I'll route for The Packers, Twins, T'wolves and Wild. Only I'll switch it up and insert the Bucks for the T'wolves. That would make me a clone of most Wisconsinites right?! Sorry I couldn't help but be sarcastic.

P.S. MNvikesfreak, once again that link ranks as the alltime best ever!!

[Down to Earth]

I was going to not post this, but after the reposting of the Favre bit I couldn't resist.

[MJR]

From the paper today, what really happend without the jealosy spin.

One of the NFL's most genuine and kind players carried out a genuinely kind act Wednesday. And what did Vikings quarterback Daunte Culpepper get for his thoughtfulness?

National scorn, thanks to an Associated Press reporter who misinterpreted the scene and never bothered to follow up with the key players.

Here's what happened: While participating in a news conference Wednesday, Culpepper fielded an awkward question from a paralyzed 17-year-old boy. "Hey Daunte," said J.T. Townsend. "Can I get some ice?" -- a reference to the $100,000, diamond-encrusted necklace around Culpepper's neck.

With cameras rolling, Culpepper walked over to Townsend and thrilled him by hanging the necklace around his neck. Later, Culpepper sought out Townsend and put the chain back on. At Culpepper's request, Townsend's parents wrote down his address and contact information. Culpepper promised to send him gifts and memorabilia.

We were standing at Culpepper's side when the transaction took place. There was no animosity, no hurt feelings and no accusations of impropriety -- only thank-yous from Townsend, his parents and a doctor nearby.

The AP version of the story, however, in essence painted Culpepper as a spoiled athlete who "sheepishly" took away a gift from a paralyzed teenager once the cameras stopped shooting. Newspapers and Internet sites picked up the story nationally. One problem: Nothing could have been further from the truth.

Anyone who has met Culpepper knows he wears the necklace every day. He has for years. Garish as it might be -- its main ornament is a 6-inch hot pepper -- it carries sentimental and personal value. Since when is anyone -- athlete, actor, politician or average schmoe -- obligated to hand over personal possessions permanently when someone asks? Or should Culpepper have shot down the request and embarrassed Townsend on television?

If that's your story, then the next time someone asks you for your wedding ring or a sweater your grandmother knitted, you better cough it up. Or else find some real news to write about.