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Tulsa native and football standout Garrett Mills supports his hometown as honorary celebrity chair for this month's Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk.
Garrett Mills, a former Jenks High School and University of Tulsa football standout who is now a tight end for the Minnesota Vikings, recently returned to his hometown to show his support for the Alzheimer’s Association, and to call on local residents to join his team for the organization’s Memory Walk. Together with his wife, Nicole, Mills is acting as the honorary celebrity chair of the walk, to be held Aug. 28 on the Oral Roberts University campus.
Mills recently spoke with TulsaPeople about the cause, his upcoming season with the Vikings and his hometown.
Why did you want to get involved with the Alzheimer’s Association and the Memory Walk?
My wife and I are always looking for good causes, and they came to us and asked us to get involved. It’s a disease that hits home for me. It runs in my family, and obviously it’s good to reach out to any organization, but when it affects you personally, it’s really meaningful.
What is your involvement with the Memory Walk?
We’ve created a team online that we’re encouraging anyone and everyone to join at TulsaMemoryWalk.org under “Team Mills.” It’s just an effort to raise awareness, raise money. The (Alzheimer’s) Association offers services free of charge and raises money to further research.
Are the Vikings supportive of your cause?
Yes, we do a lot of stuff up in Minnesota. Every Tuesday is called “Community Tuesday” during the season. It’s our off day as players. They always have something going on as far as different organizations you can help with, whether it’s going to a school, a hospital, going to Habitat for Humanity. They encourage us to support a wide array of different organizations.
How did your time at Jenks and TU prepare you for the NFL?
My time at Jenks definitely prepared me for college-level athletics. In addition, The University of Tulsa prepared me for the NFL. There were great coaches at Jenks and great coaches at The University of Tulsa. I think the training, the commitment it takes, definitely prepared me to play at the top level.
What are your expectations for this coming season?
We’re looking to build on last year. Obviously we came up short a little bit (the Vikings lost to the New Orleans Saints, 28-31, in the NFC Championship game in January). We lost the championship game, but I think it’s motivating for the team to use that as a springboard and hopefully not only make it to the big game but win as well.
How often do you come back to Tulsa and what do you do when you’re back?
Visit family and friends. My wife and I manage to make it back as much as we can. It’s hit or miss here and there. But mainly we spend time with family and friends. We have a lot of contacts in Tulsa. It’s hard to see everyone, but we do our best.
To sign up for the Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk, donate money or learn more, visit tulsamemorywalk.org.
