Viktor
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- Mar 19, 2019
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On the field, Kendricks is known as one of the game's best linebackers.
He can flow sideline to sideline, tracking down running backs or hanging in coverage with some of the league's top pass catchers.
"He's been tremendous. I think he's playing even better than he did last year," Vikings Co-Defensive Coordinator Adam Zimmer, who is also Kendricks' position coach, said in November. "I think he's playing as good as he ever has and probably better than he ever has."
And Kendricks has fun doing so, oftentimes with his hair bouncing around out the back of his helmet. He nabbed interceptions in three consecutive home games in Weeks 9, 11 and 12, enjoying big celebrations with teammates.
Just above where the hair branches out, however, is another reminder of strife. He opted this season to wear a sticker with the name of Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old African-American woman who was fatally shot in her Kentucky apartment on March 13.
Taylor's case could be another statistic, but instead it's another reason for his determination to find social justice solutions.
Those within the Vikings organization have taken notice of Kendricks' continued commitment to help make the world a better place around him.
"Eric's someone who's not only talking the talk, but he's walking the walk," said Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins. "He's been a great leader for us through the Social Justice Committee. He's done a lot to educate himself, he's done a lot to have great conversations with other people, including myself.
"He's been big on 'What are real, tangible steps that we can take?' He asks those questions in humility and wants to get answers and wants to work to find answers," Cousins added. "That takes time, that takes energy, but he's willing to put in the work to do that. It's been an inspiration and an encouragement for me to just be able to be alongside that kind of class and character."
Added Zimmer: "I'm very proud of Eric. Eric is very smart, intelligent, but most importantly his heart is in the right place. He's a tremendous man. Obviously, he's a great football player, and we've all seen him grow throughout the years, but I have a lot of pride in the whole group of our Social Justice Committee. Those guys have carried themselves in a professional manner. They've been very articulate and spoken from the heart. I have a great deal of appreciation and pride for the way that group has gone about their business."
And even for those who don't know him as well as his teammates or coaches, it's clear that Kendricks isn't one to support endeavors for notoriety or attention. His passion is real and genuine.
"As a spectator, I watch him on the field, and he operates with such authenticity," Hunt Turner said. "To see the way that translates here and the way he operates with us … it's one thing to care about the issues, but it's another to build relationships.
"He's the kind of human who doesn't just want to know or understand, and frankly, doesn't just want to throw money at something," Turner added. "He wants to build relationships. There's an authenticity in that, so to know he's nominated for [the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award] … we couldn't imagine a better candidate."
Gill added: "He doesn't let his helmet hide him. He knows he has a platform, so he comes at that just like he plays on defense. It's cool to see an athlete like that. We've had a lot of people come down and talk to us, but the chemistry with him, you could feel it."
Jamil Stamschror-Lott is All Square's Institute Director, meaning he facilitates the personal and professional development programming for the fellows. He is also a former Division-I basketball player at Marquette and knows firsthand how fickle some athletes can be.
Not Kendricks.
"He's not reading from a script," said Stamschror-Lott, who has gotten to know Kendricks through All Square and jumped on some JDC calls with him. "One way to measure a person's integrity is if they continue to come back.
"He's committed. We all have stuff to do in our lives and we're all busy, but that's not an excuse for him," Stamschror-Lott added. "What you make room for shows who you are. He doesn't have to do this, and people would still love him anyways."