Vikings' J.J. McCarthy rushes to hospital as fiancee gives birth days after his NFL debut
Quarterback missed practice to be with fiancee Katya as the couple welcomed their first child following McCarthy's comeback performance at Soldier Field
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy left practice Thursday to be at a local hospital as his fiancee, Katya, prepared to give birth to the couple's first child, the team said.
Head coach Kevin O'Connell told reporters that McCarthy was at the hospital, and The Athletic's Alec Lewis reported the quarterback had skipped practice to join Katya. The couple announced in May that they were expecting a baby boy, writing on Instagram, "The best surprises come when you least expect them. Our sweet baby boy is arriving in September and we couldn’t be happier." They have been together since high school and were engaged in January 2024.
McCarthy's arrival at the hospital came days after his first NFL start, when he engineered a fourth-quarter comeback to lead the Vikings to a 27-24 victory at Soldier Field. Minnesota had not scored a touchdown through three quarters and trailed 17-6 after McCarthy threw a pick-six to Chicago cornerback Nahshon Wright. In the fourth quarter, McCarthy led three touchdown drives to secure the win, finishing with 143 passing yards and three total touchdowns, including one on the ground.
McCarthy, who missed his entire rookie season last year after undergoing surgery for a torn meniscus, reflected on the long road back after the game. "I think it's been 609 days, I think I saw since my last competitive football game [at Michigan], which was the national championship. So, it's been a while of being just in the training room, watching a lot of film, learning the playbook and trying to master that. At the end of the day, it's such a blessing to be an NFL football player and play in this league," he said.
Katya Kuropas praised McCarthy on social media after the win, re-sharing a Vikings graphic commemorating his first NFL victory and writing on her Instagram story, "What a night!! So proud of you. Keep showin em." O'Connell said he was "pumped" to share the news about McCarthy's family arrival with reporters.
The Vikings will look to build on the win and move to 2-0 when they host the Atlanta Falcons this weekend. McCarthy's personal milestone — becoming a father — comes at a moment when the team is seeking continuity at the quarterback position after injuries and roster changes over the past two seasons.