Kendricks, a rough-and-tumble kid growing up in Fresno, loved football but dabbled in skateboarding too. That pretty much came to an end during the summer after his freshman year in high school, when he took a memorable spill after sailing off a concrete staircase — all captured on video by his buddy.
In a victory over Baltimore last month, Kendricks had four tackles for loss. He figures to be in the middle of the action Sunday when the 6-2 Vikings play at Washington, and again the following Sunday when they play host to the Rams.
"I feel like my balance and my creativity playing the game are derived from skateboarding," said Kendricks, who still cruises around on a long board from time to time, but doesn't do tricks.