Latavius Murray to meet with U.S. troops in Italy and Germany this week

The Minnesota Vikings running back will be meeting with U.S. military members and their families over in Europe as part of this year’s NFL-USO tour.

With OTAs still more than a month away from beginning for most NFL teams, players still have time to participate in activities that don’t take place on the football field this offseason.

For Minnesota Vikings running back Latavius Murray, this week is going to be spent overseas in both Italy and Germany. Murray is heading to these two European countries to take part in this year’s NFL-USO tour.

The Vikings running back and a handful of other players from around the league will be visiting a number military bases and meeting with U.S. troops and their families.

Joining Murray in Europe this week will be Carolina Panthers defensive end Mario Addison, Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Carlos Dunlap, Atlanta Falcons guard Ben Garland, New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram, and former New York Jets and Buffalo Bills head coach Rex Ryan.

Minnesota Vikings

The goal of the trip is to help U.S. military servicemen and women take their mind off of their normal everyday activities and have a little fun with some of their favorite players from around the league.

This trip is just the latest in a long partnership between the NFL and the USO. Since 1966, more than 250 players, coaches, and executives from around the league (including NFL commissioner Roger Goodell) have traveled all over the world to meet with U.S. troops and their families.

Perhaps Murray can help turn the SKOL chant into a global phenomenon over the next week.

The running back will be entering his second season with Minnesota in 2018. There was a bit of uncertainty surrounding Murray’s status with the Vikings this year, but the team and the running back recently agreed to a restructured contract that will keep him around for at least one more season.

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In 16 games last year for Minnesota, Murray rushed for 842 yards and eight touchdowns. Both totals were tops among Vikings offensive players in 2017.