As the Minnesota Vikings hit the practice field on Thursday to prepare for the team's upcoming Week 2 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, quarterback J.J. McCarthy was noticeably absent from the session.
Thankfully, McCarthy's absence wasn't due to any sort of injury. Instead, he wasn't at practice because he had something much more important in his life to turn his attention to.
According to the Minnesota Star Tribune's Ben Goessling on Thursday, McCarthy's fiancée went into labor, and he missed practice to be with her and welcome their baby boy into the world.
J.J. McCarthy misses Minnesota Vikings practice to become a Dad
I think we can all agree that McCarthy had a very valid reason not to be at practice on Thursday. But from everything we've learned about the young quarterback during his time with the Vikings, he probably still found some time at the hospital to spend watching film to prepare for Sunday's game against the Falcons.
Thursday's news was just the latest notable moment that McCarthy has experienced in the last few days. He, of course, led Minnesota to an incredible comeback win over Chicago in his first-ever NFL start on Monday, then he was named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week on Wednesday, and now he and his fiancée are the parents of a newborn baby boy.
Given McCarthy's maturity, sometimes it's hard to remember that he's still only 22-years-old. He already seems like a savvy vet who has been running the Vikings' offense from under center for multiple years.
But he is still 22, and that's exciting for a Minnesota team that has been searching for a young franchise quarterback since the days of Fran Tarkenton more than four decades ago.
One game into McCarthy's career with the Vikings, he, at the very least, seems like he's on the path to becoming one of the best quarterbacks to ever suit up in a purple and gold uniform. Of course, there's still a lot of time before that even becomes a consideration, but he's definitely off to a great start.