Vikings DT Linval Joseph speaks out against bullying

MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) - A Minnesota Vikings player is trying to turn his past experience with being bullied into helping others. 

Defensive Tackle Linval Joseph stopped by Minnesota Children's Hospital Friday. 

At 6 feet 4 inches tall and more than 320 pounds it hard to imagine anyone bullying Joseph, but as a kid things were much different. 

Joseph kickstarted a text-to-give campaign program with WAUHope, which stands for World Artists United Helping Others Progress Every day. Together, they will be raising money for victims of bullying.

Joseph described what it was like to be bullied as a kid when he and his brother moved from the Virigin Islands to Florida when he was 10 years old. 

“Coming from Virgin Islands to Florida was a big culture shock,” said Joseph. “Kids used to call us aliens, called us different, because we didn't speak the same language. That put me in a shell. At the same time it helped me become who I am today.”

The campaign starts Monday. You can donate a dollar by texting a short video to WAUHope and use the hashtag #standuptobullyn. 

Joseph is also challenging Vikings owner Zygi Wilf and his fellow teammates to make a short video about anti-bullying and give.