Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy has interesting way to shake off struggles
By Adam Carlson
Training camp is in full swing and the Minnesota Vikings are only a couple of days away from their first preseason game. Fans will get an opportunity to get a look at new players who joined the team this offseason for the first time.
Although it's unknown how much action he will see in Week 1 of the preseason against the Las Vegas Raiders, former Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy will likely draw the most attention when the purple and gold take the field on Saturday.
Overall, McCarthy looked good during his first NFL training camp. He worked his way into snaps with the first team and showcased his mobility in recent sessions that have encouraged experts and fans around the league.
Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy has interesting tradition to deal with struggles
Saturday's practice was a good one for Minnesota's rookie quarterback. After a disappointing performance on Friday, he bounced back to put his potential front and center at Vikings training camp in front of fans in Eagan.
Recently, the Vikings released an article discussing how J.J. McCarthy sheds burdens while learning and it turns out the 21-year-old first-round pick has a unique way to put the struggles of the past behind him.
""I have this thing, whenever I had a bad practice to start at Michigan, I'd keep my tights on the whole night, and it's a little dirty, but it's a good metaphorical way for me to let it go. Because at the end of the night I'll just stand in front of the mirror, just kind of debrief how the day went, what I did in the morning, what was different from the following days that were successful and just kind of overall feeling and vibe of that day.
- J.J. McCarthy via Vikings.com
"And then once I go through that, I look myself in the eye and say, 'That's all gone. We're letting go. We're moving on to the next day,' and take those tights off and don't think about it ever again.""
If wearing your practice tights all night helps to get past frustrations and disappointments, it's a good thing. However, sitting around in sweaty tights all night doesn't sound like a very pleasant way to spend an evening.
As strange as this tradition may sound, it has garnered some good results for the Illinois native. Being the No. 10 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, being the Rose Bowl Offensive MVP, and winning a National Championship with Michigan are among his biggest accomplishments.
McCarthy started this tradition as a freshman at Michigan "accidentally" and kept with it. Having a way to deal with disappointment and frustration is essential and the Minnesota Vikings rookie quarterback definitely has an interesting way to doing that.
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