Souhan: Vikings' Robison gets wish, delivers 'Christmas Wish'

Want to hear a Christmas story? Something that might make you feel good about humanity, sports, your local NFL team and even DJs who abandon their real names when placed in some form of on-air witness protection program?

The Minnesota Vikings chose Brian Robison, a defensive lineman from Texas, in the fourth round of the 2007 draft. He was a tremendous all-around athlete who would have to prove he could withstand the pounding of line play in the NFL.

Slowly, he did, evolving from role player to starter to, finally, last winter, being asked to succeed Jared Allen as the defensive line's leader and most accomplished pass rusher. As his career blossomed, he began looking for ways to help people in need.

A couple of weeks ago his wife, Jayme, walked in the door and said, "You know, we should do one of those 'Christmas Wishes.' "

Every December, local radio station KDWB solicits local businesses for donations to produce "Christmas Wish,'' gifts that the on-air personalities deliver to people in need of cheer.

"Me and my wife have listened to that show the whole eight years we've been here," Robison said. "We love hearing about 'Christmas Wish' around the holidays."

Robison had gotten to know KDWB personality Big D. Robison contacted Mr. D, Mr. D spread the word, and on Tuesday Robison awoke at 5:30 a.m. and drove from the southwest suburbs to Waconia to surprise a family who had lost a mother and child in a car accident.

"This wasn't one of the cheaper Christmas Wishes we've done,'' Mr. D said. "Brian not only came all the way from Eden Prairie, he carried stuff into the house. And Brian paid for all of it. Usually we have a number of businesses and people contributing. Brian wanted to pay for the whole thing.

"The Vikings heard about what Brian was doing and donated four tickets to the Bears game, and four field passes. Brian made sure to tell them that he would see them on the field and bring over some teammates to sign autographs and meet them. He went over and above what anybody would have asked him to do.''

Virtually all professional sports organizations do good deeds these days, and most professional athletes cheerfully donate their time, whether building playgrounds or visiting hospitals.

Robison has gone further. A few weeks ago he chopped off his signature ponytail and donated it to Locks of Love, which provides hairpieces for children suffering from long-term medical hair loss. Then he reached out personally to KDWB.

Which was tougher, donating his beloved long hair or his in-season time?

Robison is putting together a charitable foundation that will be active in Texas and Minnesota.

"It takes some time, and some financial stability and stability in the locker room before you really start thinking about things like that,'' he said. "But now that I've reached a certain point in my career, I think it's very important to give back to the community that has supported me for so long.''

"It was so cool for him to be there in person,'' Big D said. "The family was smiling, giggling, opening presents. Brian was smiling and cracking jokes and taking pictures. He wasn't the dominating guy he is every Sunday, with the eye black and shaded facemask. He got it.''

"We wanted to help another family at this time of year,'' Robison said. "They seemed like tremendous people. To be able to walk into their house and talk to them and let them know we cared, that was a great experience for us. To help them at least relax their shoulders for a little while, that makes this a better Christmas.''

Jim Souhan's podcast can be heard at souhanunfiltered.com. On