In accepting the Democratic nomination for vice president, Walz plays up his football coaching background.

He describes the 900-page conservative presidential transition blueprint known as Project 2025 as a playbook for Donald Trump and J.D. Vance.

“They spent a lot of time pretending they know nothing about this, but look, I coach high school football long enough to know – and trust me on this – when somebody takes the time to draw up a playbook, they’re going to use it,” he says.

While acknowledging he hasn’t given many big speeches, Walz says he has given plenty of pep talks and launches into one on stage.

“It’s the fourth quarter. We’re down a field goal. We’ve got the ball, the right team, Kamala Harris. Kamala Harris is experienced, and Kamala Harris is ready. Our job ... for everyone watching is to get in the trenches and do the blocking and tackling, one inch at a time, one yard at a time, one phone call at a time, one door knock at a time, one $5 donation at a time.

“Look, we got 76 days. That’s nothing. There’ll be time to sleep when you’re dead, we’re gonna leave it on the field.”

Walz also talks about his family’s fertility struggle, paying tribute to his wife, Gwen, and their children, Hope and Gus, saying he is running because he wants to make life better for “the people that you love”.

He briefly touches on gun control, saying he knows guns, and is a veteran and a hunter. “I was a better shot than most Republicans in Congress – and I got the trophies to prove it.”

He adds: “I’m also a dad. I believe in the Second Amendment, but I also believe our first responsibility is to keep our kids safe.”

As Walz wraps his speech to wild applause, his walk-off song Rockin’ in the Free World plays.

The classic rock fan selected the song, according to a campaign aide, and rocker Neil Young signed off on its use.

Young famously sued Trump for using the song at his campaign rallies without permission.