Vice-presidential Candidate Tim Walz endorsed once a high school Valorous team

The varsity Valorant Esports team of Apple Valley High School, Minnesota, was surprised when US presidential candidate Kamala Harris named Tim Walz her running mate. It meant that they had now been endorsed as a team by a man who could soon become vice president of the USA.

"Congratulations for an undefeated year and winning the Minnesota Varsity League State Championship at Valorant!" Walz wrote a letter that was shared on the Apple Valley High School Twitter account in 2022. It's a little strange to think that a state governor would know what Valorant means, even if it was just to sign a note on a Tuesday. But welcome to the 2020s, I suppose.

Walz continued to praise the "mental fortitude" and "tactical planning" of the Minnesota Varsity League. He wrote, "As opportunities for students to participate in competitive multiplayer gaming continue expanding, extracurricular activities, and social opportunities, should also grow." With esports on a rise, I'm extremely proud of you for the role you played in growing esports at Apple Valley High School and Minnesota. You are at the forefront of transforming a passion into a career that could change your life in a new, innovative field of sports.

I can't recall another US politician publicly endorsing an esports squad? It's hard to imagine that most of them know what esports are. Walz concluded with, "Have an awesome summer of training!" I can't believe what you will achieve next.

The school's team posted on Twitter today that it "feels a bit differently now knowing we are first and only esports teams endorsed by the newly elected VP candidate", concluding with "we are working on growing esports within our state and country!"