Trent Sherfield, Sr., and his recently expanded family are 1-0 in Border Battles.
The Vikings receiver had one of the most unique and celebratory lead-ups to a Vikings-Packers game and was still able to contribute during Minnesota's 31-29 victory Sunday at Lambeau Field.
"It's been a whirlwind, man, but it's been a blessing," Sherfield said.
His wife was due with their daughter on Sept. 30 but went into labor Saturday, which caused him not to travel on the team charter.
Contractions began at 7 a.m. Saturday. Sherfield went to the team walk-through and then headed home for a bit.
"She was still feeling well. I go home and we go to the birthing center," Sherfield said Sunday after the game. "By that time, contractions started picking up. Baby girl arrived at 7:43 p.m. My wife delivered her all natural.
"I was booked to get on a flight," he explained. "My flight was at 7:50, so baby girl decided, 'No, you're going to be here,' so I got to spend some more time with my family."
Instead of boarding a plane, Sherfield met Riley Wigmore, a Vikings football operations associate, early Sunday for Minnesota's shortest road trip.
"Got in a car at 5 a.m. Drove down, got here at 8:59, right before the first bus arrived," Sherfield said. "I slept the whole car ride because I didn't get any sleep [the night before].
"Big shout-out to Riley, got us here safely," Sherfield added with appreciation.
View game action photos from the Vikings vs. Packers matchup in Week 4 at Lambeau Field.
Sherfield suited up for 22 offensive snaps and seven snaps on special teams. He recorded an 8-yard reception on his only receiving target and put in a good day's work of run blocking.
The Vikings rushed for 120 yards on 34 attempts, winning the rushing yardage contest for the fourth consecutive week.
"First and foremost, all glory and honor goes to God," Sherfield said. "With no sleep, without my normal routine, all those different things, I just had to come in and trust Him."
The hardest part — deciding on a name — still awaited.
"We're deciding between two," he said. "We'll dress her up and call her both names and see which one sticks."
