Vikings Fans Donate To Charity of Saints Punter As Gratitude For His Act of Sportsmanship

Saints punter Thomas Morstead saw donations to his foundation increase after his display of respect to the Vikings at the end of an NFC Divisional round game.

Vikings fans are showing appreciation for an act of sportsmanship by Saints punter Thomas Morstead by donating thousands of dollars to his charity.

After the Vikings clinched a win over the Saints with a touchdown on the final play of their NFC Divisional Round playoff game, NFL rules forced Minnesota to kick an extra point despite already leading 29–24 with no time remaining. With the Saints' fate sealed, Morstead, nursing a rib injury, led a group of New Orleans players back onto the field as Minnesota lined up to kick.

By rule the XP has to be attempted. The #Saints we’re gone. Out comes punter Thomas Morstead amongst a very select few. pic.twitter.com/dPtIWxUcfS

— uSTADIUM (@uSTADIUM) January 15, 2018

Morstead sustained the injury on Saints' first punt as he brought down Vikings return man Marcus Sherels. He would later tell reporters about the extent of pain he played through in the game.

"The whole first half was a grind," Morstead told reporters. " I couldn't breathe and was just panting, short, shallow breaths the whole first half. I sounded like a dying dog."

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After the game, a Reddit post surfaced encouraging Vikings fans to donate to Morstead'sWhat You Give Will Grow foundation. 

Amazed at the news of donations flooding in, Morstead pledged to donate 100% of funds raised from Vikings fans to the Child Life department at Children's Hospital in Minnesota. 

Blown away at the generosity of complete strangers. All the donations we have received and will receive through the end of this week will be donated back to Children’s Hospital in Minnesota.#WhatYouGiveWillGrow#WhoDat #ThankYou https://t.co/TyrAG2DurF https://t.co/mMpFluxsGM

— Thomas Morstead (@thomasmorstead) January 16, 2018

In addition to devoting funds to the Children's Hospital, Morstead also promised to personally fly to Minneapolis during Super Bowl week if donations reached a goal of $100,000.

Morstead started the foundation along with his wife, Lauren, in 2012. The mission of What You Give Will Grow is to assist in the treatment and supporting care of cancer patients and children's cancer programs.

Donations are currently over $70,000 and climbing.