EAGAN, Minn. – Walter Rouse never stopped moving.

He mopped sweat from his forehead without wiping the smile from his face as he pushed a wheelchair through an obstacle course, supported a young man's arm as he navigated a ladder drill and jumped in celebration for a one-handed football catch.

Rouse joined fellow Vikings rookies Dallas Gant, Michael Jurgens, Dwight McGlothern, Gabriel Murphy, Will Reichard, Bo Richter, Taki Taimani and Dallas Turner last week at TCO Stadium to host the team's annual All-Abilities Clinic – a one-evening football camp that emphasizes accessibility for young people who have limb differences, congenital deformities or other disabilities.

"A lot of us rookies have gotten really close, and it's nice seeing familiar faces out here and doing it with these guys," Richter said.

Veteran defensive tackle Harrison Phillips, as well as Viktor the Viking and several organization staff members, also joined to welcome current and former patients from Shriners Children’s Twin Cities and Gillette Children’s Hospital and Clinics.

"This means the world to me," Rouse told Twin Cities media members. "These kids don't always have the same opportunities that others might, and for them to be able to come out here and just have [so much] joy and fun – you see it on their faces – it just means everything to me."

Rouse noted that growing up with an aunt who had Down syndrome influenced his approach to individuals facing physical or cognitive challenges.

"I think one of the things that allowed me to do is, I'm able to interact [comfortably] with these kids. Because growing up with [my aunt], I saw her as just a regular person," Rouse said. "And I see all these kids tonight like regular people. … I'm fortunate just to be here and help them out."

Turner also jumped fully into the different stations, tossing footballs and holding a blocking pad as young people "tackled" him.

"There's a lot of smiles, a lot of laughter and a lot of touchdown dances out here," Turner said. "There's a lot of good energy. I love it."

The Vikings All-Abilities Clinic was aptly timed during the 2024 Paralympic Games, which opened Aug. 28 in Paris and ran through Sept. 8.

Shriners Children's Twin Cities physical therapist Becky Rouse pointed out the encouragement young people can receive not only from the Vikings but from Paralympic competitors who have overcome disability challenges.

"It's so amazing to see so many inspiring athletes who have dedicated their lives to these sports," Becky Rouse said. "And to be finally given a platform on the scale that it is this year. It's just amazing to see filled stadiums for people who need adaptations to their sport but are still competing at the highest level."

Gesturing to so many young people laughing and smiling along with the Vikings, she added the following:

"This is so fun, and I think it's impactful, too. It's amazing to see how quickly these professional athletes can adapt to what they're doing, get engaged with these kids and help make it such a fun experience."

After the clinic participants rotated through various football drills that had been appropriately modified, they came together in a large group for introductions from the Vikings and an opportunity for a Q&A.

Players were asked which position they'd choose if they had to give up their current role. Reichard and Turner said they'd embrace the spotlight that goes along with quarterback, while McGlothern, Jurgens and Taimani opted for a specialist position in an alternate reality.

"Definitely kicker," McGlothern said. "Will is so cool!"

Questions also included inquiring about favorite kitchen appliances, as well as whether or not the Vikings teammates enjoy playing Madden. Phillips noted that although he isn't a big fan of video games in general, he plays the game 17 times during the season – once for each week of the actual football schedule.

One young fan attempted to stump the players by asking them to identify "the meaning of life," but Richter didn't take the bait. Instead, he took the microphone.

The former Air Force Academy standout didn't hesitate in responding with a smile, "The meaning of life is to have the most fun you can, like you all did today!"