Vikings know the importance of 'A Crucial Catch'

Seven current Vikings players and a few old-timers were in the house today as the Vikings teamed up with the American Cancer Society for their fourth annual "A Crucial Catch" breast cancer awareness luncheon at Wildfire in Eden Prairie.

Many of the players in attendance watched loved ones battle the disease. One interesting story told by rookie safety Antone Exum really showed the importance and the impact of early detection.

A decade ago, when Exum was in seventh grade, his mother, Barbara, was fortunate enough to detect that she had early-stage breast cancer. But she decided not to tell Antone and his sister about her diagnosis because they had lost their grandmother to cancer about a week before doctors told Barbara that she had the disease.

Two years later, after Barbara, who has been in remission for about 10 years, fought off the disease, she finally sat down her children and stunned them by telling them about her battle.

"She got checked, found out she was diagnosed with cancer," Exum said. "But she was able to catch it at such an early stage that she didn't have to do chemo and things like that."

Barbara, who has undergone a pair of mastectomies, was honored by the Vikings on Sunday as they celebrated breast cancer awareness month. She did the coin toss before the game.

"She is still texting me about it today, just saying how much of a blessing it was, how cool that was," Exum said. "I tease her, 'You were an NFL captain before I was.' It's crazy where playing this game can take you and some of the opportunities it can give you. I can't thank the Vikings enough for putting my mom in that situation. That was a special day for her."

"I was really looking forward to being a part of this today," said Bridgewater, who showed up even though he is dealing with a stomach bug. "I really appreciate all the women coming out today with us to celebrate their health. They're much tougher than we are, especially with what they went through in their lives. So I appreciate them coming out today."

In his spare time, Bridgewater visits with cancer patients and participated in breast cancer walks.

"It's been a huge part of my life because my mom went through the entire process, so I know how much of an impact you can have in someone's life by being supportive of them," he said.

This was the first year that fullback Jerome Felton attended the event. His sister, Maike Bachmann, was diagnosed over a year ago. She, too, caught it early and her cancer is in remission.

"This event, it was pretty cool, just to talk with these women," Felton said. "It's a really good cause, obviously, and just to be able to show support for them, it gives us strength because what we do is easy compared to what they've gone through."