EAGAN, Minn. — They've signed their contracts, practiced and listened to pep talks from Kevin O'Connell and Vikings players.

They've also participated in a special press conference and scrimmage at Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center against a team of professionals with TCO.

Now it's time for the Minnetonka Blues to play as the 2024 Minnesota Vikings Unified Flag Football Team.

The group will travel to Florida on Friday and play a game against a team sponsored by the Jacksonville Jaguars.

This link will enable viewers to stream the Unified Bowl's action, beginning at approximately 8:30 a.m. (CT) Saturday.

In the spirit of good sportsmanship, the teams will have lunch together after the game.

Players and coaches will attend Sunday's game between the Vikings (6-2) and Jaguars (2-7) before returning home.

The weekend continues a tradition the Vikings launched in 2019 (before Minnesota's game at the L.A. Chargers) and resumed in 2022 with a trip to Miami. Last year's team traveled to North Carolina and secured a victory.

O'Connell first pumped up the Blues on signing day when he and defensive lineman Harrison Phillips stopped by a climate-controlled tent where the Blues had watched the day's training camp practice.

"When we get a chance to honor our partnership with Special Olympics, it means a lot to me. It means a lot to me as the head coach of the Minnesota Vikings knowing that our team, whether it's Harrison Phillips or any of our other players, they really believe in Special Olympics and believe in competition," O'Connell said. "They believe in what a team does to bring people together to try to become the best versions of themselves. That's my challenge to our team sitting here today.

"One of the greatest things about team sports is the fellowship, the friendship, the fact you can look to your left and look to your right and know that teammates are working for the same common goal you have. I challenge you guys when it gets hard, just keep working for your teammates, and I promise you success is right out in front of you."

The Blues have held multiple practices at TCO Stadium and inside TCO Performance Center's Indoor Practice Facility. They also were invited as guests to a Vikings practice and participated in a press conference inside TCO Studios, fielding questions from Vikings and TCO employees.

Blues Head Coach Sam Ashkar, whose son Alex is on the team, referenced O'Connell when he was asked during the press conference about the experience's most rewarding moment so far.

"It was surreal, but one of the most satisfying days I've had on this earth was watching Coach O'Connell address these men," Ashkar said. "To hold their attention for 15 minutes, it was riveting to see the respect they had for him but, more importantly, how Coach treated every one of them. He looked at every one of them in the eye and told them about being a team."

Vikings Unified athlete Johnny King expressed his gratitude to TCO, the Vikings and Special Olympics for "putting together this tremendous event."

"Your work does not go unnoticed, and we're so grateful we get the opportunity to do this, so thank you," King said.

Vikings Unified team partner Chris Wasz, whose brother Brian is an athlete on the team, joked that participating in this was "the fastest 'yes' I could have ever sent right after I made sure this wasn't a phishing email." He explained how their sister recruited him and Brian into Special Olympics Unified sports.

"Getting to play with my brother every day is awesome. It's something we got to do for one year in high school, so getting to do it again is awesome," Chris said. "Just having our parents come out and watch us to get the whole family involved while we help out and get to play football again has been a great experience."