JJ McCarthy: Rituals, Meditation, and Bob Marley for Victory in the NFL

J.J. McCarthy: The Warrior on the Vikings’ Field

In the moments leading up to Monday night’s game, J.J. McCarthy, the young quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings, will immerse himself in final preparations in the locker room, ready to face the Chicago Bears. McCarthy, known for his unique approach, will dedicate himself to painting his cheeks with black paint, transforming himself into a virtually invincible alter ego from his high school days.

“It’s like he makes a change when game day arrives,” McCarthy commented. “That’s when the war paint comes out. It’s like he’s ready to die on the field, willing to do anything to get the victory. It’s not going to be pretty, and it’s not going to look like someone did my makeup for Halloween. It’s war paint.”

J.J. McCarthy

At 22 years old, McCarthy is at a stage closer to his childhood days than most other starting NFL quarterbacks. Although he is an enigma to many, after missing his rookie season due to a meniscus injury, his track record speaks for itself. With 42 plays and 24 passes in two preseason games since the Vikings selected him as the number 10 pick in the 2024 draft, McCarthy has demonstrated a remarkable ability to win, accumulating an impressive 63-3 record as a starter in his high school years, IMG Academy, and the University of Michigan, including a state championship and a national title.

J.J. McCarthy, Vikings quarterback, selected as the number 10 pick in the 2024 draft, will make his NFL debut on Monday night against the Chicago Bears.McCarthy’s influence on the team’s success is undeniable, and those who know him highlight his courage and competitiveness. Greg Holcomb, Chicago’s quarterbacks coach, compares him to legendary figures, emphasizing his ability to excel in crucial moments and his winning mentality.

“J.J. has many tools that have nothing to do with his skill. He has both, so we are looking at someone who has the potential to be very elite. It’s as if he has a mysterious aura that is connected to success and victory,” Holcomb stated.

Greg Holcomb

Although McCarthy is still in development, many Vikings players recognize the qualities that drive him in games. Justin Jefferson, the team’s receiver, highlights his “winning attitude, the dog mentality, that killer mode.” Brian O’Neill, right tackle, points out that McCarthy’s best practices occur in competitive situations, such as when the New England Patriots participated in joint training. Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell acknowledges his “player mentality,” but emphasizes the importance of combining that quality with consistent work during the week. Face painting is part of McCarthy’s rituals, who also meditates to prepare mentally. He uses a variety of stimuli, from audio tones to Bob Marley’s music, and relies on a Shiftwave chair, designed to help reach an internal flow state. This chair, which he takes to the locker room, allows him to relax and recharge before the matches. McCarthy, who has spoken openly about his attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), considers it his “superpower”, a condition that provides him with “calm in chaos and chaos in calm”. During his time in Michigan, McCarthy used to meditate under the goalposts, but now he prefers to do it in private. “I felt it became a distraction,” he explained. “I don’t do it for show.”

J.J. McCarthy uses meditation to calm his mind before and during games, although he now chooses a less public place to do so.What to think of a 22-year-old quarterback who quotes Japanese proverbs, uses a meditation chair, and paints his face like a warrior? Despite his inexperience in some basic aspects of the NFL, McCarthy has shown remarkable maturity and work ethic. His teammate Carson Wentz, upon arriving at the team, was surprised by the number of questions McCarthy asked him about the normal routine of a game. Holcomb compares McCarthy’s personality to P.J. Fleck, the University of Minnesota football coach, highlighting his contagious joy and energy. O’Neill mentions that McCarthy reminds him of Tyler Boyd, a former teammate in college, for his competitiveness and ability to shine in key moments.

J.J. McCarthy, with his traditional black face paint, after leading the Michigan Wolverines to the 2023 national championship.In the field, McCarthy transforms into the warrior, but there were two notable exceptions: when he faced Ohio State, the team he was a fan of as a child and that didn’t offer him a scholarship. In those games, McCarthy played without face paint, wanting coach Ryan Day to see his face when defeating him, which he did, winning both games with a combined score of 75-46.