Thomas Morstead made good on his word on Friday.

The New Orleans Saints punter presented a check in the amount of $221,143 to Children Minnesota for its Child Life program. It was a promise that he made last month when Vikings fans began donating money to his charitable foundation, What You Give Will Grow, which focuses on kids battling cancer.

Standing at the back in a conference room at the hospital in Minneapolis for the check presentation was a group of about 20 Child Life specialists. It is their job to work closely with sick or injured children to help them understand their medical care and minimize stress through things like medical play, relaxation, mental imagery and special events and activities.

Morstead called the specialists the “hospital’s silent heroes.”

“That’s really the main focus of being out here,” the punter said. “The money is great, but getting people to understand what Child Life is and to see all these colorful eyes in the back … you guys are amazing.”

A FATHER FIGHTS BACK TEARS

Bruce Gerth, who was also in the back of the room, knows exactly what they do and mean. His son, Harrison, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at age three, and underwent 935 days of treatment.

“It’s hard when you’re in the hospital that long of a time,” Gerth, 57, said. “Chocolate milk and cartoons only go so far.”

The specialists showed Harrison “everyday compassion,” Gerth said.

“They’d be there with coloring books, a little builder’s project,” said Gerth, fighting back tears. “When we’d tell my son that he’s going in again, he’d liked coming here, which says a lot for Child Life and what they give.”

Harrison, now 9, is in remission.

“I’m here today to support Thomas and the effort,” Gerth said.

A VIKING IN THE ROOM

Also at the check presentation was Minnesota Vikings cornerback Marcus Sherels, who — in a roundabout way — played a part in the donations.

Morstead tore cartilage on the right side of his ribs after tacking Sherels during the first half of the Jan. 14 NFC divisional playoff game against the Saints in Minneapolis.

But Morstead continued playing and was the first to come back onto the field for the NFL-mandated extra-point attempt after Case Keenum connected with Stefon Diggs on a 61-yard game-winning touchdown.

Morstead’s toughness and sportsmanship resonated with many Vikings fans. Two days after the Vikings’ 29-24 victory, a Vikings fan started a Reddit post asking fans to support Morstead.

THE MONEY KEPT COMING

After $3,100 had been raised by more than 250 fans in just a few hours, Morstead said via Twitter he would divert the money to Children’s Minnesota for its Child Life program.

When the amount raised reached $25,000, Morstead tweeted that he would “fly up to Minneapolis week of the Super Bowl to personally do a check presentation with @childrensmn if we get to $100K.”

Blown away at the generosity of complete strangers. All the donations we have received and will receive through the end of this week will be donated back to Children’s Hospital in Minnesota.#WhatYouGiveWillGrow#WhoDat #ThankYou https://t.co/TyrAG2DurF https://t.co/mMpFluxsGM — Thomas Morstead (@thomasmorstead) January 16, 2018

The money kept coming, from more than 5,400 donors across the country. The story garnered media attention from all over.

Started in 2012 by Morstead and his wife, Lauren, What You Give Will Grow supports causes, organizations, small businesses, artists and musicians in the Gulf South Region. In its first three years, it provided more than $2.5 million in support for local programs, organizations and initiatives.

PROGRAM MAKES A DIFFERENCE

Morstead said Friday that Child Life programs are typically underfunded and not reimbursed by insurance companies.

“I just think that our opportunity to highlight what Child Life is and why it’s so important is huge,” he said. “Because you don’t know about it until your kid is in the hospital.”

The tough punter then showed his soft side.

“It’s really cool to play on Sundays and cool for people to say, ‘Yeah, my friend plays for the Saints or my family member plays for the Saints.’ But something like this feels, so impactful,” he said, his voice cracking with emotion. “And, it’s just really humbling.”