Particular Olympics Athletes Announce NFL Draft Choose for Minnesota Vikings

Two athletes from Particular Olympics Missouri and Particular Olympics Kansas had the honour of co-announcing the 141st decide within the 2023 NFL Draft for the Minnesota Vikings. Richard Scott and Josh Alters, each passionate multi-sport athletes, had been chosen to make the decide.

Two Special Olympics athletes stand in front of the NFL Draft stage. — Richard Scott (left) and Josh Alters (proper) had the once-in-a-lifetime alternative to announce a decide on the NFL Draft!

Scott, a multi-sport athlete with Particular Olympics Missouri for over 28 years, represented the USA in tennis on the 1999 Particular Olympics World Video games and gained a bronze medal in Unified flag soccer on the 2022 Particular Olympics USA Video games in Orlando. Alters, from Particular Olympics Kansas, has competed in numerous sports activities, together with successful a gold medal within the 50-meter freestyle on the 2006 USA Nationwide Video games, a gold medal in bocce on the 2022 USA Video games, and was inducted into the Particular Olympics Kansas Athlete Corridor of Fame in 2018.

Regardless of by no means assembly earlier than, Scott and Alters hit it off instantly after they related two days earlier than the Draft through Zoom. Each being massive followers of the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, they had been excited to make the announcement collectively.

“The participant chosen will hear from our mouths that he’s taking part in within the NFL…now that’s fairly superior!” mentioned Scott.

Two Special Olympics athletes pose with Minnesota Vikings football fans at the NFL Draft. — Alters (left) and Scott (proper) pose with Minnesota Vikings followers earlier than asserting the 141st decide for the crew.

“That is so thrilling! I am often a Chiefs fan however I will be a brief Vikings fan for the day!” mentioned Alters.

Nerves ran excessive, however the pair ready completely with a number of run-throughs earlier than the large second. When the large day arrived, Alters and Scott arrived on the packed area over 4 hours early to verify they had been able to take the stage. The anticipation within the room was exhilarating as gamers, coaches, and media all eagerly awaited the announcement. Initially slated to do the 158th decide, they had been knowledgeable that they had been shifting as much as the 141st choice. Regardless of preliminary nerves, they had been naturals below the intense lights!

Following the announcement, each athletes had been ecstatic, sharing their pleasure at assembly Tim Gunhard, Chiefs Ambassador. Due to the NFL Basis for making this once-in-a-lifetime alternative attainable!