Vikings right tackle Brian O'Neill has always appreciated working with Duhamel but emphasized his incredible impact specifically since O'Neill suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in Week 17 of the 2022 season.
"He's the number one person who helped move the needle for me to have a successful and healthy season after the Achilles," O'Neill said. "I spent every day with him from Jan. 1 through [Week 1 of the 2023 season]. We spent a lot
of time together, and I'm just super excited for him and his new opportunity."
"Our whole entire locker room [trusts him]. He'll give you an unbiased opinion and shoot you straight," O'Neill continued
of Duhamel. "And he has a really good balance of pushing you and holding you to a high standard but still making it fun.
He encourages you to think differently, think deeper, about what could be going on in your body, and he has a really
great way of communicating with players."
Vikings fullback C.J. Ham spoke to the impact Keyes has made in his life both on and off the field over the majority of his
pro career.
"He's been here through it all, and it speaks to the character he has," Ham said. "He's proven himself to be loyal and trustworthy through all the change, through the different [leadership he's worked under]. All the players know they can
go to Keyes in the weight room, off the field, with personal things … and he's going to be there, and he's going to pour
into you and make sure you're doing OK, that you're doing things the right way.
"He's also become a really good friend over the years," Ham said. "Somebody I can lean on. Somebody who's going to
push me and push others – be real with you and honest with you – and I appreciate that.
"It's huge that he's getting this promotion," Ham added. "It just suits him so well."
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