Everyone deserves a great night's sleep, and Sleep Number is proud to team up with Blue Star Families and active NFL players to surprise our U.S. military, Veterans, and their families with just that.
Each family was surprised with a special delivery of a brand-new Sleep Number 360® smart bed, presented to them by players from the Kansas City Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings and Los Angeles Rams. They also received autographed gear and tickets to an upcoming home game for the entire family.
The Nordine and Thompson Family
When the Nordine and Thompson family showed up to the Minnesota Vikings Training Facility in Eagan, Minnesota, they were expecting a tour of the museum and the opportunity to learn some legendary Vikings player history. They were not expecting a future legend, and, hopefully Pro Football Hall of Famer to emerge from the back of a Sleep Number delivery truck and meet them in person.
Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson surprised this Blue Star military family with a brand-new Sleep Number 360® smart bed, some autographed Vikings swag and tickets to an upcoming home game.
“Helping people out, especially people who served our country, it's been a big part of what we have going on here, and just the reason why we’re standing here being free today,” Jefferson said. “So of course, we had to bless them today with a new bed.”
Marie Nordine and her husband Dustin Thompson have over 18 years of service combined as members of the Minnesota National Guard. Marie now works as an EMT and is proud to continue to serve her city and her country in any way she can. Joining Marie and Dustin for their surprise was their daughter, Hailey Thompson, Marie’s dad, Kyle Nordine, and Dustin’s dad, Brian Thompson – all verified Vikings superfans.
“I think it’s really cool that he wants to be out here to represent and do something special for us, and it just shows on his character,” Marie Nordine said.
Jefferson, who is one of the leagues top receivers, was excited to be on the giving end for the Nordines and Thompsons. Jefferson said he wanted to be a part of this and wanted to try and make sure that another family knows that they were appreciated for their service to our country.
“My family always preaches just giving back to the community. Just showing love whenever I can,” Jefferson said. “Just because I'm on this stage, doesn’t mean I can't give back to the people that don't have it, or need a little bit more support or just need love.”
Sleep Number and Blue Star Families hope to support our nation’s military members and their families through quality sleep. Marie said sleep plays a crucial role in her life, both at home with her family or out on a mission.
"A bed can make or break a mission. We have had to sleep on cots or the ground or in trucks -- really anywhere we can. Coming home to a good quality bed will help me rest for the next day and the next mission. This will help me perform my tasks at a higher level and be better for my platoon and for my family," Marie Nordine said.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire Surprises the WEHAB Family
The Wehab Family
For the Wehab family, buying their forever home was a dream come true. After 21 years of service as an Armor Officer in the Army, including five deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), Neil Wehab and his family are ready to put down roots in Kansas City.
Over the years Heather, Neil’s wife, and their three children, Grace, Creghton and Lanie, have moved around the country whenever Neil is restationed. They’ve lived in Texas, Virgina, Colorado, Hawaii and since 2019, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. This past summer, the Wehabs moved to Kansas City where they’ve settled into their new home by having many barbeques in their backyard.
The Wehabs aren’t the only new faces in town. They were surprised by another Kansas City transplant, who was excited to present them with their new Sleep Number 360® smart bed.
“This is my home base now, so the things that I can do to change my community around me and strive to make every place a better place is what we’re doing here,” said Kansas City Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire.
Edwards-Helaire said it was an honor to surprise the Wehabs because he also comes from a military family. Growing up, his mother was in the Army and his father was in the Marines. He said it always hits close to home for him and he can relate to the kids and understands what it’s like to grow up in a military home.
A new 360® smart bed is well deserved for Neil and Heather, who have been sleeping on the original bed they bought when Neil was a Second Lieutenant. They said they’re thrilled to have a brand-new 360® smart bed to sleep on.
“I’m really thankful for the entire Blue Star, Sleep Number and Chiefs organizations; and everybody in Kansas City for the great welcome,” said Neil Wehab.
Watch Clyde Edwards-Helaire Surprise the Wehab Family
Serving Through Proven Quality Sleep
For over nine years, Sleep Number has worked with Blue Star Families to help improve the lives of military families through better sleep. These surprise events are a continuation of Sleep Number’s commitment to supporting local active military and veterans and their families.
The Los Angeles Rams also teamed up with Sleep Number and Blue Star Families to surprise a deserving military family in their community.
Like diet and exercise, quality sleep has a profound impact on our physical, emotional and mental wellbeing. Because no two people sleep the same, Sleep Number 360® smart beds, with SleepIQ® technology, sense your movements and automatically adjust firmness, comfort and support to keep you both sleeping comfortably and provide proven quality sleep. Find your Sleep Number® setting for your best possible night's sleep, and if you own a Sleep Number® bed, log in to your InnerCircle℠ Rewards account to see your exclusive offers, refer friends and more.