25 Years After Korey Stringer’s Death, Family and Vikings Celebrate Reconciliation

On the weekend of the 25th anniversary of Korey Stringer’s fatal heat-stroke at Minnesota Vikings training camp, his widow Kel C Stringer, son Kodie and mother Regina Jones visited the team’s practice facility in Eagan, Minn. The visit included a huddle breakdown, a panel discussion with former teammate Pete Bercich, and a meeting with head coach Kevin O’Connell. Former players and executives—including Hall of Famers John Randle, Randall McDaniel and Cris Carter—watched from the audience, and the event concluded with hugs and reunions that underscored the shift from a previously “toxic” relationship to one of mutual respect.

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Stringer’s death on Aug. 1, 2001 sparked a $100 million wrongful-death lawsuit filed by his family. At the time, former owner Red McCombs refused to pay the $8 million remaining on Stringer’s contract, and the family’s suit generated “invective” toward the organization. After a 2005 state-court ruling favored the Vikings and ordered the family to cover legal fees, the Vikings did not bill the family. The acquisition of the team by the Wilf family later softened the relationship, leading to the present-day reconciliation.

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The tragedy prompted immediate changes to NFL heat-practice protocols. Kel C Stringer used the lawsuit’s discovery to learn that trainers failed to recognize heat-stroke symptoms, prompting her to establish the Korey Stringer Institute (KSI). KSI now advocates for certified athletic trainers, cold-water immersion tubs and other best practices in 38 states, aiming to prevent sudden deaths in sports, the military and labor sectors.

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• “It's probably the single greatest example you can point to of turning a tragedy into a triumph,” — Jeff Miller, an NFL executive vice president

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• “I can't believe the way the Wilf family has turned this around," Kelci said.” — Kelci

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