They come from completely different backgrounds and play completely different sports, yet Kyle Rudolph and Jason Zucker have become close friends because of one common bond: their desire to use their high-profile statures for the greater good by bringing cheer to others — especially children — not only during the holidays, but throughout the year.

One’s from Ohio (Cincinnati), played college football at Notre Dame and is the all-time leader for career touchdowns by a Vikings tight end. The other was born in California, grew up in Las Vegas, played college hockey at the University of Denver and, with the Wild, is the first Nevada-produced player in the 100-year history of the National Hockey League.

This past week, Rudolph cut the ribbon on the 2,500-square-foot Kyle Rudolph’s End Zone at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital. Three years in the making, to see his idea leap from his brain onto artist renderings into eventual dust and drywall and finally become this vast respite for children fighting terrible disease and their families was indeed a dream come true.

“To see it come to life is truly special,” Rudolph said.

Helping the children’s hospital has been personal for the 28-year-old Rudolph, ever since he was a 15-month-old bouncing off the walls and driving everyone crazy with his restlessness at a hospital while his younger brother, Casey, was treated for cancer as an infant.

Casey is 27 years old now, and cancer-free.

The Wild’s Jason Zucker and the Vikings’ Kyle Rudolph have struck up a friendship that’s turned into a charitable boon to the Twin Cities. (Courtesy Lola Red + Lola Pro PR)

Helping the children’s hospital is also extremely personal for the 25-year-old Zucker, who befriended a special boy two Decembers ago named Tucker Helstrom during a Wild hospital visit. Zucker was the 8-year-old hockey fanatic’s favorite player because their names sounded alike and he loved Zucker’s speed and highlight-reel goals.

By chance, Zucker chose to visit the rooms on Tucker’s floor, and a special friendship instantly developed between “Tuck and Zuck” with Zucker often returning to the hospital to visit and play video games with Tucker.

Zucker was struck by Tucker’s engaging laugh and lovable personality.

Heartbreakingly, only nine months after being diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer, Tucker died.

Read more: Jason Zucker continues to keep special friend’s memory alive

But “Team Tucker” was born, and Zucker, who got Tucker’s autograph and his often-supplied advice of, “SHOOT MORE,” tattooed to his left wrist, found a direction he was passionate about: Helping the children’s hospital and keeping Tucker’s memory alive.

Zucker had always worked hockey camps or surprised kids at practices or at schools, but his relationship with Tucker changed everything, including the mechanism in which he wanted to give back.

“I think that to do these things you have to be a person that wants to do them anyway,” Zucker’s wife, Carly, said. “He felt like he wanted to volunteer for the hospital visits. But then I think the relationship with Tucker gave him the place where he found that it meant the most for him to give.

“He said, ‘OK, this is where I see myself focusing my attention.’ And so, honestly working with the Rudolphs and hearing their story about building the End Zone gave us that idea to be involved with what they’re doing and really gave us the passion to find a project that we wanted to take on.”

The Zuckers held a fundraiser to help with expenses for Tucker’s funeral and to create a lasting legacy called “Tucker’s Locker,” located in Kyle Rudolph’s End Zone. Their work continues this hockey season with a “Give 16” campaign that allows fans to also be involved by helping raise money for an eventual broadcast studio and suite that will be built at the children’s hospital about 20 steps from the End Zone. Fans are encouraged to donate in any denomination of “16.”

Zucker had an idea to create a replica Xcel Energy Center suite, where children can get an in-game experience by watching Wild games even when they’re too sick to attend an actual game. There will be ticket takers and food vendors and the best technology so kids feel like they’re at the game, Zucker says.

A rendering of the Zucker Family Suite and Broadcast Studio at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital, as it would appear on a Wild game night.

The space being used was originally supposed to be a broadcast studio, but the funding fell through. Carly Zucker is a broadcaster, so marrying the two ideas made perfect sense so the space can be used 24 hours a day rather than only during 82 Wild games a season.

By day it’ll be a place where kids can learn how to broadcast, watch videos and even hear their parents sing previously-recorded lullabies and read books to them during the times maybe mom and dad can’t be at the hospital.

By night it’ll be a replica suite where kids will feel like they’re at the game. Often times, they’ll even get a pop-in visit from Zucker after a game.

“The one thing I kept hearing from kids more than anything is, ‘I was going to go to the game, but I couldn’t,’ or, ‘I wish we could go to the Chicago game, but we’re still going to be here,’” Zucker said. “So, I was like, well shoot, I want to do something where they can watch the game still and feel like they’re still there.’”

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The Rudolphs and Zuckers actually met the first time at a “Team Tucker” fundraiser, and the two families bonded over sports and their commitment to help sick children at the hospital. It wasn’t long after that Kyle and Jason were spending summer days together on the golf course. Double dinner dates are often arranged in-season.

Last December, when Rudolph was attempting to “Go Pro” by learning other sports in an effort to raise votes for himself and Vikings teammates to be voted into the Pro Bowl, Zucker took Rudolph onto the ice at Xcel Energy Center for a comical hockey lesson.

Zucker has become a huge fan of Rudolph on the field.

“I’m the guy that texts him after games, ‘Congrats on your win,’” Zucker said, laughing. “I’m that loser now but, it’s been fun to get to know him and to be able to grow that relationship with him.”

What connected the two?

“Athletes tend to get along, generally. We grew up our whole lives playing sports,” Rudolph said. “You get to the highest level in your profession because you have a certain mentality and a certain personality. I think especially hockey players and football players, we all have a screw loose so we seem to get along a little better.”

As children walk through the glass doors at Kyle Rudolph’s End Zone, which will be staffed 24/7 by a child life specialist, they are greeted by a basketball hoop, a soccer simulator, video game consoles, a cooking station and a row of six lockers representing “Our Teams.”

“It’s about the kids,” Rudolph said. “When I start seeing kids down here with smiles on their faces, having a good time, then I’ll truly realize how special this place is.”

One of the lockers is “Tucker’s Locker.”

Hanging inside is the sharpest-looking orange and blue “Team Tucker” jersey with “TUCKER” as the nameplate and the motto, “PLAY, LAUGH, LOVE” embroidered under the number 16 — the number not-so coincidentally worn by Tucker’s hockey hero.

The locker to the right of Tucker’s features the Timberwolves and Lynx. Besides a basketball and some sneakers is a Karl-Anthony Towns Timberwolves’ jersey and Lindsay Whalen Lynx jersey. To the right is the Minnesota United and Twins locker with a Brian Dozier Twins’ jersey hanging. To the right is a locker full of Gophers equipment and a Gophers football jersey.

Next to that one is two lockers belonging to the Wild and Vikings with Zucker’s No. 16 sweater and Rudolph’s No. 82 Vikings jersey suspended.

It’s a perfect illustration of the side-by-side nature of their relationship. While Jason was on the road with the Wild in Ottawa on the night of the ribbon-cutting, wife Carly was right there for the event.

“They’re such an inspirational couple,” Carly said of Rudolph and his wife, Jordan. “They just want to do good things. Which is really, really cool because I guess we kind of found the common ground on trying to use the platforms that the guys have right now to try to do these things while we can.”

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A day before the ribbon-cutting, Rudolph, for the second year in a row, took patients at the children’s hospital and their families on a magical trip to the “North Pole” by way of “Rudy’s Red Eye.”

The children and their families were transported via limo busses from the hospital to the airport, where they boarded a jet for their flight.

After arriving at a winter wonderland, they were treated to dinner, treats, sat on Santa’s lap, toured his workshop, watched his elves at work and played with the reindeer.

We’re here! We’ve made it to the North Pole on #RudysRedEye! Thanks to @KyleRudolph82 and our sponsors for getting us here! pic.twitter.com/Alz1VaM1yZ — Masonic Children's (@UMNChildrens) December 18, 2017

The next day, after the grand opening of Kyle Rudolph’s End Zone, Kyle, Jordan and his parents visited several children in the hospital. They met one little girl named Emma, who was diagnosed that week with the same form of cancer that inflicted Kyle’s brother, Casey.

“My brother has been cancer-free since he was 14 months old,” Rudolph said. “They were just diagnosed and I know it’s been a difficult week for them. To get that news and be able to spend a little bit of time with them, you could tell it gave them hope for what’s ahead.”

The Rudolphs had their 1-year-old twin daughters, Andersyn and Finley, with them for the unveiling, both decked out in red dresses and running all over the place. There are several pictures of Kyle on the walls and there was a highlight video of him playing on the television. Each time one of the girls saw his face, they shouted, “Daddy!”

“It’s awesome to see them in here,” he said. “It makes me excited for, as they get older, bringing them back here and showing them really why this space is here. That’s showing them how to give back to the community as well.”

During his speech before the ribbon was cut, Rudolph choked up when listing the companies who teamed with him to help make their project a reality. Overcome with all the help he received to get the job done, the tears started to well in his eyes as Jordan gave a consoling rub on his arm.

Helping the children’s hospital got even more personal with the arrival of his two daughters. The visits with families who are dealing with the unimaginable hit even closer to home. The sense of urgency to help those in need even more acute.

“Going through it, there’s nothing better in the country. I don’t want to come back in five years and that not be the case. Every time I step in it, I want to make sure it’s just as nice as the first time we walked in.”

When the Rudolphs got the plans for the End Zone green-lit, he immediately started pressuring the design team to finish as soon as possible. For Rudolph, every day that went by without it was a day that a sick kid went without a place to brighten his or her day.

And given the gravity of some of the children’s health situations, there was no time to lose.

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It has also been a busy month for Zucker.

The Wild have been on the road a ton, but the Zuckers are continuing to work hard as part of the “Give 16” campaign.

On Dec. 13, Carly brought J.R. Watkins gift baskets to the local women’s shelter, Haven House. On Dec. 20, Carly and her daughter, Sophia, brought Chuck & Don’s pet products to Secondhand Hounds.

“We asked her to choose something to do and that’s what she chose because she’s passionate about animals,” Carly said.

Later this month, the Zuckers are bringing New Balance sneakers to Avenues for Homeless Youth. The Zuckers have also sent a number of care packages of signed items for silent auctions, including one that really touched them after an email from Emily Thesing about their mom, Cheryl, a Winona hockey mom who has Stage 4 breast cancer that has spread to her liver and bones.

“My mom is the most caring and loving person on this planet and our family is devastated,” Emily wrote. “I can’t stress enough how much of her life she has dedicated to our hockey organization and to making everyone’s hockey experience enjoyable, and I just want her to realize she is not alone in this fight.”

On Dec. 15, the Zuckers, with their infant son, Hendrix, along for the ride, visited the Hennepin County Medical Center Pediatric Trauma Center and the Minneapolis Police Department’s Second Precinct. Zucker came armed with Caribou Coffee and other treats because he wanted to thank the nurses and police officers for all they do.

At HCMC, Zucker met with three patients and had some touching moments, including one with a 10-year-old boy who couldn’t stop smiling because he watched Zucker and the Wild shut out Toronto the night before with his nurse, Katie Christopherson.

“On the TV one night, in our play room the next day,” Christopherson said.

“It’s just great what Jason does,” said Raegan Sipe, an emergency department and urgent care clinical care supervisor that has worked at HCMC for 25 years. “Sick kids, they need a lot of attention, and it not only affects the child, but it affects the parents and families in so many different ways we can’t even imagine.

“For us, here at Hennepin, we see some really sick kids. We’re a Level 1 trauma center, so it’s something totally unexpected and sometimes very long-term, so helping these patients and these parents any way you can is such a blessing. We’re so fortunate that we have athletes and teams in this town that focus on giving back.”

At the police station, right before shift change and a roll call, Zucker was bombarded with picture and autograph requests. He met two of the K9 German Shepherd officers and was presented with a sweatshirt and hat from the Minneapolis Police Federation.

Jason Zucker just delivered coffee and donuts to the 2nd precinct at MPLS PD. My favorite moment came when one of the officers asked, “What’s up with the empty netter you missed last night?” Zucker: “I love this. That’s great.” 😂 pic.twitter.com/mGCNqyhTic — Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) December 15, 2017

“The Wild players, they’re just very classy people, they just are,” said Minneapolis Police Sergeant David Schmidt, who brought his 12-year-old daughter and Wild fanatic Maddalyn to work to meet Zucker. “She’s gotten a chance to meet Zach (Parise), and what a great guy. Jason seems to be cut out of the same mold.”

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Last summer was a nervous one for the Rudolphs. They watched as speculation swirled that the Wild might lose Jason to the Vegas Golden Knights expansion franchise. Knowing that it could bring their friend back to his hometown was nice and all, but there was certainly a hope that he would stick around to continue their work together at the hospital.

“I know he wanted to be here,” Rudolph said of Zucker. “Vegas may be home to him, but he said, ‘I feel like we’re just starting to get comfortable here. Minnesota is my new home.’ We were glad when he stayed here.”

Rudolph loves the passion Zucker brings toward giving back.

“When I was his age, I was trying to do the visits and give back,” Rudolph said. “To see the responsibility that he’s taken on, and only being here for a short time in the community, it’s truly special. My wife Jordan and I truly appreciate all they’ve done for us.”

Zucker believes it’s a responsibility, and he hopes to continue to give back in Minnesota for years. He can become a restricted free agent July 1 if his contract isn’t extended before that; he is tied for the team lead with 14 goals but the Wild have yet to talk to his agent about a new deal.

“The platform that we’re given is something special and being able to use it to our advantage is what we should do,” Zucker said. “And that’s giving back anywhere you can and anytime you can. We don’t have a lot of time (as professional athletes). So we need to use it now.”

Every day, Carly is blown away by the passion her husband and Rudolph demonstrate.

“I am so proud of them,” Carly said. “I’m proud of Jason because it’d be really easy to say, ‘You know what? I’m busy. We’re gone 19 days this month, so I’m going to just focus on hockey because the season’s crazy and there’s a lot pressure in a contract year to do well.’ But he’s trying to find time in a really busy month to also give back in a lot of ways.

“The same thing goes for Kyle. I mean, they’re in the midst of hopefully making the Super Bowl, but he’s taking all this time to do these other great things. They’re trying to make an impact, which is really cool.”

No doubt, the Rudolph-Zucker friendship is based on one other common bond: Their enormous hearts.

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(Top image: Courtesy Carly Zucker)