Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy and Fiancée Katya Kuropas Welcome Baby Boy, Rome Micah
J.J. McCarthy, the quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings, and his fiancée, Katya Kuropas, have joyfully announced the birth of their son, Rome Micah McCarthy. The couple shared the news on Friday, Sept. 12, via a joint Instagram post.
A Blessing for the McCarthy Family
“Welcome to the world Rome Micah McCarthy. The sweetest, most perfect gift from God!! We are so unbelievably blessed to be your parents 8.7lb 21 in.," the caption read. McCarthy expressed his joy by commenting, "God is GREAT!" and praising Kuropas, "& so are you my love." The couple announced their pregnancy in May, revealing they were expecting their first child in September.
Support from the Vikings
Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell shared that McCarthy participated in team meetings on Thursday before leaving to be with Kuropas, according to ESPN. Wide receiver Justin Jefferson offered his congratulations, saying, "If you seeing this now, congratulations my boy, congratulations. I'm excited for him for this new chapter, this new journey. But after you get done, come on back!"
McCarthy's Dedication to the Team
Despite the joyous occasion, McCarthy is expected to play in Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium. He even managed to attend meetings and a red zone practice soon after the birth of his son, showing his dedication to the Vikings.
McCarthy's Journey to Fatherhood and the NFL
McCarthy, the No. 10 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft, experienced a whirlwind week, culminating in the birth of his son. He played in his NFL debut on Monday night against the Chicago Bears, contributing three touchdowns in the fourth quarter to secure a 27-24 victory. He then balanced his responsibilities to his team and fiancée, showcasing remarkable commitment.
Coach O'Connell on McCarthy's Balancing Act
"Ryan [Kelly] and I got a kick out of thinking about the last 24 hours for J.J. knowing how many times him and I have both been through that, but not come out the very next day and have a great red zone kind of fast Friday practice,” O’Connell said in his Friday afternoon news conference. “It’s an awesome moment as a father myself to kind of see his reaction to it, best day of his life.”