NBA legend impressed with Vikings rookie WR Justin Jefferson
By Adam Patrick
Michael Jordan has liked what he’s seen from the Minnesota Vikings rookie.
Seven games into his first season in the league, Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson currently leads all NFL rookies with 563 receiving yards. It’s already safe to say the Vikings made the right choice with their first pick in this year’s NFL Draft.
Jefferson had some big shoes to fill this season after Minnesota decided to trade Stefon Diggs to the Buffalo Bills back in March. So far the rookie has not only fulfilled his expectations, but he’s exceeded them and he has the potential to develop into an even better receiver than Diggs.
When a young player puts up numbers like Jefferson has this year, people from outside of the Vikings fan base also begin to take notice. Recently, it was revealed that a very notable NBA legend is among those who have enjoyed watching the Minnesota rookie make plays out on the field this season.
Michael Jordan impressed with the young Minnesota Vikings receiver
In a recent interview with the Pioneer Press’ Chris Tomasson, former Vikings receiver Ahmad Rashad shared that he and his good friend, Michael Jordan, typically watch the NFL games together each Sunday.
During his conversation with Tomasson, Rashad mentioned that Jordan “certainly is impressed,” with how Jefferson has performed so far in his first year with the Vikings.
That is tremendous praise coming from someone like the former Chicago Bulls great who many consider to be the greatest athlete of all time. Anyone who was able to watch the recently released “Last Dance” documentary would know that Jordan is not one to just hand out compliments to anybody, so this praise for Jefferson is pretty significant.
When he was told about Jordan’s comments on Wednesday, the 21-year-old Minnesota receiver made everyone feel old and said that his “dad loves him,” and that it is “an honor,” to get complimented by the NBA legend.
Sticking with the making people feel old theme, Jefferson wasn’t even alive yet when Jordan played his final game for the Bulls in 1998. And then the Vikings rookie was only three-years-old when Jordan returned to the NBA to play for the Washington Wizards in 2001.
Jefferson has been everything Minnesota could have possibly hoped for when they drafted him in the first round earlier this year. If he accomplishes even half as much in his career that Jordan was able to accomplish during his time on the basketball court, one can assume that the Vikings would be pretty happy.