Tim Walz visit sparks protests and silent treatment at football game in high school where he once coached

MANKATO, MINNESOTA: In a nostalgic return, Minnesota’s governor Tim Walz made a special appearance at Mankato West High School during the much-anticipated Friday night lights. This visit marked a trip back to his roots, as Walz previously served as an assistant coach for the Mankato West football team.

Attending the intense rivalry game brought a sense of homecoming for the governor, yet the atmosphere was somewhat complicated, reflecting the mixed emotions of the community. As Walz reconnected with familiar faces, the night highlighted both the excitement of high school football and the nuances of his relationship with the area he once called home.

Governor Tim Walz returns to Mankato West High School

As Walz took his seat on the bleachers, Pro-Palestine protesters made their presence known outside the stadium. Inside, it was a mixed bag of reactions for the governor. Multiple clips captured him chatting with families, with the high school crowd in the background. But it wasn’t exactly all smiles and cheers.

Some folks seemed to pay him no mind, staring blankly into the distance as he mingled. Others were more welcoming, striking up conversations and even giving the governor a hug or two.

One of the rare times Walz managed to stir up a reaction was during the pre-game coin toss. He joined both teams on the field, and there were a few cheers from the Mankato West crowd when the announcer called out his name. It wasn’t exactly a thunderous ovation, but it was something. Most of the night, however, the reception was pretty lukewarm.

Even before the game, there was already some backlash around his scheduled appearance.

Former Republican Congressman Jeremy Munson took to X (formerly Twitter) days before the game, encouraging people to show up and boo Walz.

Yvonne Simon — the Blue Earth County GOP chair — even called the visit a sign of “desperation” in an interview with the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

The visit to Mankato West was more than just a trip down memory lane. It was part of a broader plan by the Harris-Walz campaign to remind folks of his time as an assistant coach for the high school football team back in the 1990s.

Walz had a role in the team’s 1999 state championship, and that achievement has been a key talking point since he joined Kamala Harris’ ticket on August 7.

He even gave the championship team a shoutout during his speech at the Democratic National Convention on August 21. Walz brought out members of the old squad as he officially accepted the VP nomination.

Internet mocks Tim Walz

The critics on social media wasted no time poking fun at the muted response Tim Walz received.

“Oof that’s embarrassing,” one quipped on X, while another claimed, “Let’s be honest, none of those players like him.”

Others saw it as a hopeful sign. “There is hope for future generations after all,” someone else wrote.

Another chimed in, “The kids are gonna be alright."

Not always warm welcome on campaign trail

As far as receptions go, Tim Walz’s night at Mankato West wasn’t the worst he’s seen. It was a lot rougher when he attended a college game between Minnesota and Michigan in Ann Arbor on September 28.

As he was leaving, fans made it clear with a chorus of boos that they weren’t too happy to see him. One heckler even shouted, “Get out of here!”

Regardless, Walz has leaned into his coaching background as part of his public identity. He’s even made some comparisons to Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville, who has a more serious football resume having coached at multiple major NCAA programs like Auburn.

Tuberville led teams to victories at Ole Miss, Texas Tech, and Cincinnati, and even won an SEC Championship with Auburn in 2004, the New York Post reported.

At a Boston fundraiser in early August, Walz joked about his new role — positioning himself as the “anti-Tommy Tuberville.” He quipped, “I feel like one of my roles in this now is to be the anti-Tommy Tuberville, to show that football coaches are not the dumbest people.” 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.