Former Viking Brett Favre visits hospital and Ronald McDonald House

MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) - Throughout Super Bowl week football players, both past and present, are giving back to the communities that have given so much to them.

Friday, former Vikings quarterback Brett Favre returned to Minnesota, making several stops throughout the day. He first stopped at University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital, where he took part in a panel alongside Vikings receiver Adam Thielen and Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph. They answered questions from kids in a Super Kids press conference.

Favre then went to the Ronald McDonald House, a place that was very close to him in his short time as a Viking as he donated money there to help the foundation build a patio and play area. When asked why he came back to Minnesota, he said it's all about helping out in any way he can.

“To think that a visit, a signed picture, a hug or a handshake can go a long ways and brighten someone’s day is – I don’t even know how to put it in words,” said Favre. “I know as well as anyone how fortunate I am to have played the game of football and to have made the amount of money I was fortunate enough to make. It had nothing to do with me and had everything to do with God and the people around me, so this is the right thing to do and it sure makes you feel good.”

Favre is also going to give a pep talk to the Philadelphia Eagle before the Super Bowl. Eagles head coach Doug Pederson is Favre's former team mate from when he played in Green Bay.