Jerry Tillery joined the Vikings during free agency this offseason. The Louisiana native played college football at Notre Dame, and his studies there took him on multiple trips across the globe.
Tillery has visited more than three dozen countries, including multiple trips to Japan, where he is able to fluently converse with natives.
At Saturday's practice — after catching up with Tillery for this Water Break presented by Crown Royal — Tillery suffered a leg injury and was on the field for a bit before walking over to a golf cart and leaving the field.
Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell spoke with media members Tuesday to provide an update on Tillery.
"He did get a pretty significant laceration on the back of his leg in the lower calf area, that although very concerning, he is going to be fully recovered, O'Connell said. "He did have to get a couple of stitches, but as far as major injuries that our fans or you folks might have been worried about, that is not the case. He'll be back. Just gotta let those stitches heal, and he'll be ready to roll, so Jerry is going to be just fine."
That's encouraging news for Tillery and the Vikings.
Because of Tillery's fond connection to Japan, we thought it would be interesting to ask him more about his experiences there. The publication of this story occurs on the 30th anniversary of the Vikings defeating the Chiefs in an exhibition game hosted by Tokyo on Aug. 7, 1994.
Q: What have you learned through all your travels?
A: We're all more alike than we are different, you know, to treat people with respect and to enter any situation, whether it's going to a new country or coming to a new team with an open mind, and good things usually happen.
Q: What sparked your initial interest in exploring so many places?
A: When I was in college, they had a study abroad program, and I took advantage of that. The first place was South Africa. That was a big trip, and it was very exciting, lots of history relative to sports and Black folks, so I identified greatly with some of what we were learning. That was something that really inspired me.
Q: Did you already know an initial layer about that country's history before going, or did it occur when you were immersed there?
A: The idea in South Africa was how that country uses sports to overcome racism and really change their country, eliminate some of the bad policies and discriminatory practices they had there. I had some sense of the history, but being there is always better and opens it up more once you've been to a place.
Q: When did you first go to Japan and was that also related to college coursework?
A: It was the year after, 2016, and it was something I had begun at Notre Dame. I studied Japanese language and culture and was able to go to Japan and study in the country, which was really a lot of fun and eye-opening to be immersed in the culture — something different, and it was great.
Q: How long did it take you to grasp the Japanese language and become fluent with it?
A: They measure language acquisition on a scale of 1 to 5, and when I was in school, I reached a 4, which is considered proficient, so I was able to speak comfortably in conversations with natives. It was a lot of fun to work at something all year, similar to football season or training camp, and to be able to go there like we're going to be going to New York or Cleveland to play and put the hard work on display. So that was a lot of fun that we were able to do that in school but also a theme I've continued to pursue.
Q: Several former Vikings like Anthony Barr, Eric Kendricks, Danielle Hunter and Eric Wilson went to Japan together and loved it, but they also mentioned they kind of stood out.
A: Of course. I wonder why that was. No, I'm kidding. Obviously, a very homogenous country but a very open-minded people. They were nothing but nice and extremely welcoming and gracious and hospitable. So as a foreigner, a gaijin, as they would say, that makes you more comfortable. I was there for a month and a half, and I've been back since. Every time is like the first time.
Q: Are there some places that you go to every visit there? Are there some new places you visit?
A: Of course. There's a specific hotel and a specific gym that I always visit and lots of restaurants that I can't leave the country without going back to, so it's great. I love the country — a beautiful place, so always a good time going to Japan. I usually go with friends or family, but I've actually done a business trip. It's been lots of different reasons to go, so I always try to find a way.
Q: What is it about traveling that renews you or enhances your approach through life?
A: Just getting out of your comfort zone in general, or whatever that looks like for you, is something that you can use in reflection of your own life and day-to-day processes. If things aren't going well, you have something to lean back on. If you're having great success, you have something to contextualize it all, so traveling or getting out of your comfort zone at all is something that can be really beneficial to success.
Q: I also have to ask about completing the triathlons.
A: Oh man, it's been a while. I always try to find fun ways to stay in shape and was invited to do a couple triathlons and actually enjoyed it. This was in high school.
Q: What were your dimensions at that point? You weren't 300-plus pounds, right?
A: I was actually heavier because I played offensive line in high school, so it was tough at moments, but I got out of my comfort zone and was able to find a way to finish and enjoy it and have fun doing it.
Q: How did you keep going through the training for those?
A: In order to do it, you've just got to do it, so you just hop in the lake or the pool or wherever, and you get a bike and you go and start running.
Q: Are you a big Olympics guy?
A: Oh yeah, definitely. I've been following the Olympics closely. They obviously have a different competition setup where the biggest competition is every four years, so to dedicate your life and yourself to sometimes 50 seconds, sometimes a little longer, whatever your event or discipline is, is something that's real encouraging. We look at our offseason and how short it is, right, but every October, you get another chance. I look up to a lot of Olympic athletes who grind for four years for a chance. It's a beautiful thing, the Olympics, bringing all the countries together and peacefully competing. I think it's great for sports and the world. I'm always excited for the Olympics.
Q: Do you have a favorite event?
A: To watch? Probably the acrobats, like gymnastics and the trampoline. There's other disciplines, too, but to watch what they do, flying through the air is really amazing.
