Feeding Minnesota: Ex-Vikings wide receiver dedicates post-NFL life to making sure kids are healthy, happy

Former Minnesota Vikings Wide Receiver Dr. Leo Lewis has dedicated his post-NFL life to making sure kids are healthy and happy.

Minnesotans may know Lewis as a speedster on the football field, or possibly as a teacher, coach and mentor on the lacrosse field. The Lewis Sports Foundation runs free summer camps for St. Paul Parks and Recreation.

"My background educationally is in physical education, health and fitness," Lewis said. "So, I just continue that from my playing days to the academic arena."

Helping kids be happy and healthy is part of the mission of the Lewis Sports Foundation.

"We make sure that we identify those communities, those school groups, who need assistance and resources to accommodate their goals. Whether that’s physical education goals, fitness and wellness or nutrition goals," Lewis said.

To meet nutrition goals while kids are out of school over the summer, the Lewis Sports Foundation partners with Matter to make sure kids in sports camps have healthy snack packs to eat.

"If you have the right nutritional intake and proper food intake, it has been documented that you have a healthier life," Lewis said. "You are able to think more clearly and you’re getting the proper rest, which is part of a nutritional makeup."

Lewis believes being successful at sports is important but being successful at life is more important.

"You know, we help with, you know, the foundational element of these kids who may very well be a Viking one day," he said.

You can double your donations to KSTP’s "Feeding Minnesota" campaign through the end of the week. Land O’Lakes and Lupient Automotive are matching donations to Matter. The Cargill Foundation is matching gifts to Minnesota Central Kitchen. Please click on the Feeding Minnesota tab to make a donation.