The Minnesota Vikings shocked the majority of the NFL world in Week 9 when they went on the road and beat the NFC North-leading Detroit Lions during second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy’s first game back following a six-week injury absence.
McCarthy had a series of interviews following the contest, though perhaps the funnest and most emotionally-charged came with legendary quarterback and FOX Sports broadcaster Tom Brady.
McCarthy earned the interview after Brady named him the LFG “Lets [Expletive] Go” Player of The Game, which Brady hands out after every contest he calls.
“It was all about just focusing on the little things, focusing on the things I can control,” McCarthy told Brady of finding his rhythm after so much time off. “All those little things just prevent all the anxiety and nerves, because I just get to go out there and focus on the things I can control. And, you know, see what happens at the end of this thing. And turned out our way.”
“You guys are back to .500, resets the whole division,” Brady said to end the interview. “Congratulations, enjoy the flight home.”
“Thank you so much, Tom. Appreciate it,” McCarthy said to his fellow Michigan Wolverines QB. “Lets’ [expletive] go!”
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McCarthy put up a stat line of 143 yards, two TDs and one INT on 14 of 25 passing. He also scored a rushing touchdown and completed a critical third-down pass to wide receiver Jalen Nailor late to seal the game.
“Obviously a lot of excitement … and I’m just so proud of the guys,” McCarthy told Tom Rinaldi of FOX Sports during a sideline interview. “We fought, we had a different energy this week, a different level of focus. But there’s a lot more we can clean up.”
“We haven’t reached our potential,” McCarthy continued. “We haven’t even gotten close yet.”
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