By Chris Tomasson

Pioneer Press

Vikings receiver Adam Thielen played last month in a nationally televised celebrity golf tournament at Lake Tahoe. After practice Friday, he had an interview with NBC.

Through it all, the 27-year-old former Minnesota State Mankato athlete from Detroit Lakes, Minn., insists life is no different for him.

“No,” he said. “I’m just trying to keep it the same.”

Thielen entered last season with an unimpressive NFL resume: a year on the Vikings’ practice squad and two seasons that produced all of 20 receptions. And then came 2016, when he caught 69 passes for 967 yards and earned a three-year, $27 million contract extension.

Finally, after some probing,Thielen admitted to one thing that is quite different from a year ago.

He is quickly recognized by food delivery guys.

“A lot of times now, if you get delivery, somebody will be come back and ask, ‘Are you the guy from the Vikings?’ “ Thielen said. “They recognize the name, for sure.”

Opposing defenses pay more attention to him, too. After producing games of 101 and 202 yards receiving in the final month of last season, Thielen is counting on teams spending more time game planning to stop him.

“I think there’s going to be more focus than there was last year, early on in the season obviously,” he said. “But at the same time, as long as you go about your business …”

Going about his business is one reason Thielen made such a leap, and that has continued. On Friday, he stayed after practice as usual to do extra work.

Thielen also was interviewed by NBC sideline reporter Michele Tafoya for a segment that wasbroadcast during Sunday’s nationally televised preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at U.S. Bank Stadium.
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