Vikings rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater's mother, Rose Murphy, walked around TCF Bank Stadium handing out pink ribbons an hour before Sunday's game against the Lions. Murphy engaged in conversations and took pictures with Vikings fans with her main goal to spread breast cancer awareness. Murphy received a standing ovation as the honorary Viking and sounded the Gjallarhorn before the game.
Murphy was initially diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007. She had a lumpectomy, where doctors removed the cancerous lump, with her final treatment occurring in 2008. She recalled a 14-year-old Bridgewater dealing with the news, hoping another child won't have to go through the same situation.
"Being a single mom at the time, it was tough," Murphy said. "I just encouraged him to just hang in there. It gets better. It gets greater later."
Murphy said she'll visit a doctor every three months now with her cancer levels reading well at the moment.
She's grateful to see the NFL engage in Breast Cancer Awareness with players wearing pink accessories on the field. Unlike Bridgewater, Murphy has been a ball of energy throughout the day.
"I am quiet but this is something you can't be quiet about," Murphy said. "I'm just excited about it and everything that's happening with breast cancer month. We celebrate Breast Cancer Month every day. We do it every day, but we do appreciate when someone celebrates with us for 31 days."
"I paid attention growing up, watching NFL games and ever since the NFL started wearing the breast cancer symbols and everything," Bridgewater said this week. "It's going to mean a lot for me, because my mom is a breast cancer survivor herself. It's going to be a good feeling knowing that we are playing a game that salutes and contributes to breast cancer."
This was Murphy's second regular season home game. She was at Bridgewater's first career start against the Falcons two weeks ago, hearing fans chant her son's name in an impressive performance.
