Historical precedent would lead one to believe there was very little chance of Thielen or Ham embarking on such incredible football journeys.
"I really do doubt what we're talking about today is something that has happened before and most certainly likely never to happen again, in regards to your journeys being mirrored in so many ways," O'Connell said, "and just something we all can be incredibly proud to have had a chance in my four years here to be around two great players like yourself."
As guests in the auditorium felt the absolute specialness of the ceremony and the intersection of their careers, Ham and Thielen reflected on the mentalities that transformed them from dreamers to doers.
From tryout players to roster cuts re-signed to the practice squad, then bottom-of-the-roster guys to leaders on special teams and, eventually, staples of the program elected to multiple Pro Bowls, and in Thielen's case, one of the best receivers in franchise history and a top one in the whole league in 2017.
How did two former Division-II players go from being the longest shots to a couple of the longest-tenured Vikings? Their mindsets were a big part.
"I call it a dog mentality," Thielen shared. "Like, you cannot be denied."
As a football player, Thielen will be remembered for his production and route-running expertise, as well as his pillowy hands and his elastic catch radius. But his wiring is what gave him his greatest advantage.
He relentlessly attacked every task in front of him. He wasn't ever going to be stopped.
"Sometimes it maybe came across the wrong way," Thielen stated mindfully. "But it was this mentality that every single day I'm going to prepare, so that when it's game day, I don't have to think — I can just go. And I can have this different mentality, this little switch that I could turn on and be a different person.
"I always said when you cross those lines, you're not Adam Thielen, dad at home with the kids, you're a different person," he added. "You have to be. You have to have a different mindset. And that mindset can't just be on Sundays. It's Wednesday practice when everybody else is maybe going through the motions. I treated those like game day. I was just as mad at a bad play or a drop or missed assignment on Wednesday as I was on game day. And that was where I felt like I could separate myself from others."
Ham credited a willingness to do "what's necessary" for helping him gain traction in the league and grow in a variety of roles.
"Not letting the thought of what your purpose is dictate the way you move," Ham said. "I think purpose is being obedient to where you are and what you have in front of you. I think for both of us, we had to become special teamers before we got a shot [on offense]."
Ham continued making substantial contributions on special teams, and O'Connell devised ways to integrate a fullback more into his offense because of his opinion of Ham.
"Our first year together, I didn't play a lot on offense," Ham said about 2022. "As the years have gone on, I started playing more on offense but had to find where this team needed value. Once I find that, I've got to make sure I do everything in my power to make sure I bring that value."