Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy and Fiancée Welcome Baby Boy, Rome Micah
It's been a momentous week for J.J. McCarthy, the quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings. He and his fiancée, Katya Kuropas, welcomed their first child, a son named Rome Micah McCarthy, shortly after his NFL debut.
A Week of Milestones for McCarthy
McCarthy left the Vikings facility Thursday morning to be with Kuropas. The couple had announced in May that they were expecting their son in September. The timing worked out perfectly, allowing McCarthy to participate in his first NFL game against the Chicago Bears on Monday night before the arrival of his son.
In his debut, McCarthy led the Vikings to a dramatic 27-24 comeback victory over the Chicago Bears, accounting for three touchdowns in the fourth quarter. Shortly after, he returned home to participate in team planning and practice before taking the time to be with Katya for the birth of Rome.
Reactions and Future Plans
"If you seeing this now, congratulations my boy, congratulations," said Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson after Thursday's practice. "I'm excited for him for this new chapter, this new journey. But after you get done, come on back!" McCarthy is expected to start Sunday night's game against the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Fatherhood and Football
Head coach Kevin O'Connell noted McCarthy's dedication, commenting on his ability to have a "great red zone kind of fast Friday practice" so soon after becoming a father. "It’s an awesome moment as a father myself to kind of see his reaction to it, best day of his life," said O'Connell. McCarthy, the No. 10 overall selection in the 2024 draft, is balancing his newfound responsibilities with his commitment to the Vikings.
