Randall McDaniel is a Second Grade Teacher at Hilltop Primary Elementary School in Westonka, MN who will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on August 8. Here's what his class thinks about him.

What do you think makes Mr. McDaniel a good candidate for the Hall of Fame?

“I think Mr. McDaniel should go to the Hall of Fame because he is funny, smart, fun and kind. I think Mr. M is a nice person. PS – He should go to the Hall of Fame because he earned it and worked hard.” – Jenny S.

“He was really good at playing football on the Vikings. He throws great. He practices a lot. He’s on TV and he tells about being a football player.” –Thomas

“Because he is really nice. He plays fair. He is really good at it and he knows all the rules. And, that is why I think Mr. McDaniel is a good candidate.” –Lauren K.


How does Mr. McDaniel inspire you?

“Mr. McDaniel inspires me because he tries his hardest to try to help us do our work. And, he’s a really nice person and I like how he plays ‘wall ball’ with us. He is really nice.” -Baylee

“He inspires me by making me want to smile and when he talks to me he makes me want to be happy and generous. He helps me learn when it is a good and bad time to talk in class. He inspires me to be a good and happy learner. I’m happy to know that he likes me. And, he wants me to make more people feel happy.” -Leandra


What is it like to have a former NFL player as one of your teachers?

“It feels cool. It’s like you almost feel like you’re one. It feels cool because we have a real football player. It is just so cool to have a football player in the classroom.” -Emma J.

“It’s cool, I like it because now that Mr. McDaniel is in the Hall of Fame it gives the school something to be really happy about!” -Jenny


What is your favorite thing to do with Mr. McDaniel?

“My favorite thing to do with Mr. McDaniel is play ‘wall ball’. You bounce a ball off of the wall. Mr. McDaniel throws the hardest. We play it on the wall of our building. Last time, I caught the ball!” –Aaron B.

“My favorite thing to do with Mr. McDaniel is play wall ball at lunch recess. You throw the ball at the wall and if it hits you , you drop to the ground. You have to run to the wall but if the ball hits the wall first, you are out. But, if the ball doesn’t get their first, you are safe.” –Josh L.

“My favorite thing to do with Mr. McDaniel is talking to him about things of what you should do and not do. Like “Above the Line” and “Below the Line” behavior. This means manners and things you should do and stuff you should not do, like hit or kick or punch….or blurt out answers.” –Lauren B.

“My favorite thing to do with Mr. McDaniel is go on field trips because he says funny things. One time when we were learning about how tall Wooly Mammoths were and we found out they were like 20 feet tall and Mr. McDaniel said I would be a Wooly Mammoth tooth!” –Carenna S.