The countdown to Super Bowl LII is less than a year away, and the Minnesota Super Bowl Host Committee is recruiting 10,000 volunteers.
Rochelle Olson of the Star Tribune recently wrote that the host committee has opened the application process.
Olson chatted with host committee volunteer director Elle Kehoe about what volunteers would do and where they would be.
Olson wrote:
Once the applications come, a big part of Kehoe's work is to get volunteers excited and connected. That includes finding a spot and setting up a headquarters with what she described as a "wow factor." In Houston, the headquarters was an expansive and comfortable former Barnes and Noble downtown.
Already, Kehoe has an all-volunteer committee of 40 working with her. They will help sift through applicants looking for screeners, who will start in May and then interview would-be volunteers in the fall.
Among the applicants, leaders will be chosen as trainers. In January 2018 when job specific training starts, volunteers will get to know their teammates.
Olson reported that volunteers will work four or six-hour shifts in the weeks before the game, although there are no volunteer positions available inside U.S. Bank Stadium during the Super Bowl.
There are some perks for volunteers, Olson said.
Obviously, volunteers don't get paid, but they do get a complete Super Bowl LII outfit unique to the effort that will include top-grade winter gear, including a parka built to withstand extreme cold, a sturdy backpack, beanie and thermos.
Interested volunteers can apply at mnsuperbowl.com.
Holler: Jones will help Vikings in trenches
The Vikings added Datone Jones on Monday, giving Minnesota's defensive line added depth in the trenches.
John Holler of Viking Update wrote that finding Jones a permanent home on the defensive line could help his consistency.
Holler wrote:
*The reason Jones is referred to as a defender is that he never had a concrete role with the Packers defense. After playing exclusively on the defensive line his first three seasons, he was asked to drop a lot of weight and play outside linebacker in Green Bay's 3-4 defense last season. *
*Some players would be frustrated by constantly being asked to move around, but Jones felt it has made him a better overall player. *
"For many years in Green Bay there has never been a steady role or a steady position for me," Jones said. "I played linebacker. I played defensive tackle. I played defense end. For me, I thank Green Bay Nation because it made me a much more versatile player."
Jones, who was selected with the 26th overall pick of the 2013 NFL Draft, played defensive end, defensive tackle and outside linebacker at varying times in Green Bay's 3-4 defense. He appeared in 59 games, including seven starts, totaling 80 tackles (58 solo) and 9.0 sacks.
