The Vikings will pay tribute to Korey Stringer with a videoboard tribute and a moment of silence before Saturday night’s practice at TCO Stadium. Additionally, Stringer’s No. 77, which has been retired, will be painted on the practice field.
Stringer, a member of the team’s Ring of Honor, collapsed from exertional heatstroke during practice in Mankato on July 31, 20 years ago, and passed away the following morning at 1:50 a.m.
The Vikings, in collaboration with the NFL Foundation and the Korey Stringer Institute, have established the Korey and Kelci Stringer Athletic Training Scholarship with an initial endowment of $50,000. This annual scholarship will support athletic training students in partnership with the National Athletic Training Association Research and Education Foundation. Applications for the inaugural 2022 scholarship will open later this fall.
Kelci Stringer, founder of the institute, and Jimmy Gould, chairman of the institute, expressed their commitment to raising awareness about preventable illnesses and saving lives in a statement released by the Vikings.
Stringer, the 24th overall pick in the 1995 NFL Draft, became a starter in his second game. He was named to the All-Rookie team, started 100 of 102 games, and earned a Pro Bowl selection in his final season. His jersey was retired when he was inducted into the Ring of Honor on November 29, 2001.
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