Local Kid Turned NFL Star; Adam Thielen’s Motto: Never Give Up

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Since graduating high school, Viking’s Wide Reciever Adam Thielen’s been told on numerous occasions he’s not good enough.



Seven years later, he has those doubters eating crow.

KVRR’s Steve Manney and photographer John Hanson show us how a local kid became a bigtime star.



Pressure coming and it’s blocked! Right at the 30-yard line. The block by Adam Thielen. And in for the touchdown Vikings!



It’s not that there isn’t anything special about him. It just took a little while to catch on.



If you looked at his size out of high school, you’d have probably said, “you know, he probably can’t play on that level.”



But this year, he reached that level. And made some plays along the way.



…and wide open is Thielen, for the touchdown!



But it might not have happened if it weren’t for his roots in Detroit Lakes.

Where he learned to play the right way.



When he was in high school, he stayed out of trouble.

Did everything we asked.

He worked hard, he was a good teammate.

And all those things, you know, make him what he is today.



Steve Manney, KVRR Sports: “There’s nothing state of the art about Mollberg Field here in Detroit Lakes. The bleachers are mostly made out of wood. There’s paint falling off the scoreboard and the playing surface is not quite level. But as Adam Thielen shows us, sometimes you need to look beneath the surface, to find greatness.”



“Guys that are successful in the NFL are the hardest working guys. Yeah, they have a lot of talent, but it takes more than just talent.”



For Thielen, it takes perseverance.

Passed up by every division one college, he’s was a late edition at division 2 school, Minnesota State Mankato where he begins as a lowly redshirt.

But by senior year, works his way up to become team captain and leads the squad to a national semifinal.

Its best season, in program history.

Despite it all, the star receiver is passed up in the 2013 draft.

But that doesn’t stop him.



“You know there wasn’t a whole lot of people that said, “Hey, you’re gonna play in the NFL.”

But there was a lot of support of my decision to try it out and see what happened.



In May of 2013, he weasels his way into mini-camp with the Minnesota Vikings.

The team he had spent his entire life cheering for gave him all he could ask in return.

A chance.



“Just work hard and give it all I’ve got, and that’s all I can do. And then it’s up to the coaches.”

But the coaches decide… he’s only fit for the practice squad.



“It stank not to be a part of 53-man roster. But still, you know, you’re part of team, and it’s just another opportunity to show what you can do.”



Thielen perseveres, and a year later, finally has his chance to shine in the 2014 preseason.



Teddy Bridgewater under center, he’s going to fade right this time into the end zone. Flags. Caught. Touchdown Adam Thielen!



Needless to say, he makes the team.

But that’s not enough.

On November 30th in the regular season, he raises the bar.



It’s blocked! Right at the 30-yard line. The block by Adam Thielen. And in for the touchdown Vikings!



“You would think I’d be pretty good at it, but, it’s getting better.”



But Adam just feels like… Adam.

And wants to play wants to be a good influence for the kids.



“My biggest thing is the youth in this community. And hopefully being a good leader for young kids to follow. And show that it takes work ethic, and you know, being a good all-around person to be successful no matter what you want to do.”



Adam Thielen works hard every day.

And reminds us that no matter how far we may fall, we can always bounce back up.

In Detroit Lakes, Steve Manney, KVRR Sports.



Thielen will report to Vikings training camp in July, but more important for him is Saturday, when he’s set to marry his fiancée Caitlin.