Coming off his first win as an NFL starter, Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy missed practice on Thursday for good reason — to witness the birth of his son.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell revealed to local media on September 11 that McCarthy was at a local hospital with his fiancée, Katya Kuropas, who was in labor and expected to give birth to the couple’s son.
The high school sweethearts announced they were expecting in May by posting a maternity photoshoot on Instagram.
“The best surprises come when you least expect them,” Kuropas wrote on May 21. “Our sweet baby boy is arriving in September and we couldn’t be happier.”
This story will be updated when more is released about the results of the birth, but barring any unforeseen emergencies, McCarthy should surface with celebration in the coming hours.
JJ McCarthy and Fiancee Katya Kuropas Were High School Sweethearts
McCarthy’s baby news broke after he and Kuropas got engaged in January 2024.
The high school sweethearts have been dating for five years, meeting at Nazareth Academy in LaGrange Park, Illinois. When the pandemic hit in 2020 and shut down Illinois high school football, McCarthy transferred to Florida prep football powerhouse IMG Academy. They stayed together and reunited at Michigan.
McCarthy proposed shortly after he won a national championship with the Wolverines, and life has continued to move fast for the couple ever since. He wrote a heartfelt message to Kuropas on behalf of himself and their dog, Marley, on Kuropas’ 21st birthday in January 2024.
“Happy 21st to the woman of my dreams and my rock! Unconditionally grateful for the human you are and the impact you have had on me these past 5+ years,” McCarthy wrote. “Our partnership is something I will cherish for the rest of my life because of how it enhances our ability to serve our mission in the world. Marley and I love you unconditionally!”
JJ McCarthy Receives NFL Honor After Week 1
GettyJ.J. McCarthy #9 of the Minnesota Vikings reacts while playing against the Chicago Bears
It’s been an incredible week for McCarthy.
The 22-year-old returned to his home city of Chicago, Illinois, where he saw his first NFL game at Soldier Field when he was 4 years old.
After three quarters of toil, McCarthy broke through for a heroic fourth-quarter comeback, leading a 21-point to clinch a 27-24 victory over the Bears. He finished the game with 143 yards passing, two touchdown throws and a rushing touchdown after throwing a pick-six in the third quarter.
He became the first player to score three fourth-quarter touchdowns in their NFL debut, and rivaled Hall of Famer Steve Young for leading a comeback of 10 or more points for the first time since Young in 1985.
McCarthy also joins Fran Tarkenton as the only Vikings quarterback to throw two touchdowns and rush for a touchdown in their first start.
All these accolades led the NFL to name McCarthy the NFC Offensive Player of the Week.
McCarthy’s practice time will be truncated for this week with the baby news; however, he’s proven he can handle whatever challenges are thrown his way.
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