Kyle Rudolph teams up with Vikings fan up to help charity after signed gloves wind up on eBay
The story has a happy ending, as the person who bought them reached out to Rudolph to return the gloves
After the Minnesota Vikings underdog overtime win against the New Orleans Saints, someone in the locker room asked Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph for his gloves to auction them off for charity. Rudolph handed over the gloves he was wearing while he caught the game-winning touchdown pass to put the Vikings up 26-20 and end OT, and even signed them, but the gloves ended up in a much different place.
I saw this.. it’s disappointing. A member of the media in the locker room after the game asked if he could have my gloves for a charity benefit, so I said of course and I will even sign them for you! Well he got me, sold on eBay 3 days later.. https://t.co/JCTO0OWM5n
— Kyle Rudolph (@KyleRudolph82) January 8, 2020
The person who asked for the gloves at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, who he did not recognize as a local Vikings reporter, instead put the gloves up for sale on eBay rather than giving them to charity. They were sold for $375.50.
And to clarify it was not anyone I knew.. so wasn't a local reporter I see daily or national reporter. Locker room was a zoo, he asked for them, I said of course and even offered to sign them... https://t.co/fCdU4RlhnP
— Kyle Rudolph (@KyleRudolph82) January 8, 2020
After the story hit social media, the fan who bought the gloves reached out to Rudolph to make right of the whole situation. Thanks to Twitter, they were able to have an exchange about the entire thing.
Jason King, a Vikings fan, told Rudolph that he wanted to give the gloves back to the charity of No. 82's choosing.
@KyleRudolph82 I’m the guy who bought them. I will gladly donate to a charity of your choice.
— Jason King (@kingy1940) January 8, 2020
The divisional round-bound tight end thanked the fan and chose to use the gloves to benefit University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital. Rudolph has worked closely with the hospital in the past and in lieu of this incident is using the story to encourage people to give to this cause.
Many have reached out to the hospital after hearing this story to see how they can help. The hospital said they were "overwhelmed" by the generosity following the story hitting Twitter.
We're overwhelmed by the support that @KyleRudolph82's fans are showing us on @Twitter tonight! If you'd like to help out, here's a link to the official crowdfunding page for Kyle Rudolph's End Zone at our hospital. ⬇️⬇️ https://t.co/Bek5pY5tG6
— M Health Fairview UMN Masonic Children’s Hospital (@UMNChildrens) January 9, 2020
Rudolph was thankful this fan was willing to give back the signed gloves and said he would make sure to send him some gloves from this weekend's game against the San Francisco 49ers.
The TE said, "Hey Jason, really cool of you to do this! @UMNChildrens will greatly appreciate it and I will make sure to get you my pair from this weekends game!"
Hey Jason, really cool of you to do this! @UMNChildrens will greatly appreciate it and I will make sure to get you my pair from this weekends game!
— Kyle Rudolph (@KyleRudolph82) January 8, 2020
King wanted to make sure this unfortunate situation around and thanked Rudolph for his generosity and wrote, "Thanks Kyle hopefully I can help turn this into a good situation and help raise some money for the children's hospital."
Thanks Kyle hopefully I can help turn this into a good situation and help raise some money for the children’s hospital
— Jason King (@kingy1940) January 8, 2020
The No. 6 seed Vikings look to pull off another shocking road playoff win when they face the No. 1 seed Niners on Saturday at Levi's Stadium.
















