At just 22 years old, J.J. McCarthy enters his first game with the Minnesota Vikings as the youngest starting quarterback in the NFL.
Among a new era of Gen Z quarterbacks emerging in the sports world, the wisdom of his elders isn’t lost on McCarthy.
McCarthy has crossed paths with numerous sports stars in his climb to the NFL, including Tom Brady, hockey legend Wayne Gretzky and Minnesota Twins Hall of Famer Joe Mauer.
While McCarthy has received advice and insight into performing at the highest level from many of sports’ all-time heroes, there is a similar thread that has stuck with him that he’ll carry onto the grass of Soldier Field when he faces the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football.
“I’ve been lucky to learn from so many great people already, from Coach [Jim] Harbaugh to Coach [Kevin] O’Connell, and now being around legends of the game,” McCarthy told Heavy Sports in an exclusive interview. “What sticks with me is the same idea: carry yourself like a pro, trust the process, and always put the team first. That advice never goes out of style, and it’s something I try to carry with me every single day.”
Minnesota Already Feels Like Home to J.J. McCarthy
Born and raised a half-hour from Soldier Field in La Grange, Illinois, McCarthy grew up a Bears fan, visiting the historic stadium for the first time when he was just 4 years old.
Despite the full-circle moment ahead on Monday night, McCarthy did not give in to the sentiments about his homecoming, treating Week 1 as purely a “business trip.”
“Home is in Minnesota, so at the end of the day it’s just a business trip,” McCarthy said with a smirk at his Wednesday media availability. “We’re going to go down there, execute some football plays and see what happens.”
McCarthy has made himself at home since he was selected 10th overall in the 2024 draft.
Last November, he purchased Mauer’s Sunfish Lake, Minnesota, home located just three miles from the Vikings’ facilities. Mauer paid McCarthy a visit at training camp earlier this summer as the two have bonded.
“Joe has become a good friend, and it was great seeing him at camp. And of course I knew of him as a Minnesota legend, but did not know him personally [before purchasing Mauer’s house],” McCarthy told Heavy Sports.
McCarthy embracing Minnesota as his new home has come easily, considering his upbringing playing hockey, his first love. The speed of hockey has helped McCarthy learn to process football at a high level.
“Hockey and football are more similar than you might think. It’s about being a great teammate first and foremost. It’s also about having vision and anticipation – no one was better than Wayne Gretzky at that,” McCarthy said. “I certainly think my experience on the ice helps me on the football field.”
JJ McCarthy Prepared for Vikings-Bears Opener After Offseason
Photo courtesy of AloJJ McCarthy has partnered with Alo throughout his recovery process, using the sportswear brand in his offseason training.
After suffering a season-ending meniscus injury in the 2024 preseason, McCarthy underwent a been a year-long recovery process to return to action on Monday.
McCarthy partnered with Alo Yoga in his recovery process in the past year, using their athleticwear in his offseason training and rehab.
Cultivating a meditation practice during the pandemic, McCarthy has maintained the practice through college and his professional career. It especially helped him during his rehab process, along with the advice from his elders to stay the course.
“A lot of it came from my own need for balance. For me, meditation has always been about slowing down, reminding myself why I do this and who I’m doing it for. I’ve taken note of athletes who really focus on the mental game,” McCarthy told Heavy Sports.
While the lights may be bright on primetime before a crowd of 60,000 fans at Soldier Field on Monday, McCarthy is prepared to handle the emotions of his first NFL start with poise.
“For me, it’s about building that structure and taking a pause that keeps me grounded and ready to go,” he added.
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This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
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