CHICAGO — Minnesota's Governor Tim Walz introduced himself to the United States on the DNC stage, and hyped up Democrats tying in the priorities of the party with football imagery.
Before taking the stage, members of the former Mankato West High School football team gathered on stage to help introduce their former teacher and coach.
Walz began his speech by thanking Vice President Kamala Harris for putting her trust in him as the Democratic VP candidate. He then shared his life story, highlighting his childhood in a small Nebraska town, and how he joined the Army National Guard just after turning 17. He thanked the GI bill for helping him, and his father before, attend college.
When Walz listed his accomplishments as governor, the biggest applause was after he talked about a bill providing free breakfast and lunch to Minnesota students.
At one point, the NBC cameras turned to his son who was tearfully standing and applauding his father's speech.
Walz criticized the Republican party and former President Trump, telling the DNC that a second Trump presidency would mean an agenda that "does nothing for our neighbors in need."
In his speech Walz evoked imagery of football, saying to the crowd "it's the 4th quarter, were down a field goal, but we're on offense and we have the ball. We're driving down the field and boy do we have the right team."