MINNEAPOLIS — Justin Jefferson sprinted through the back of the end zone, jumped to catch a pass from Sam Darnold, and started his latest run after scoring an early score for the Minnesota Vikings. Touchdown celebration.
He ended the dance with a special nod to one of his greatest inspirations, Randy Moss.
“We love you, Randy!” Jefferson yelled into the ESPN cameras while making a heart shape with his fingers on his chest, showing a national television audience how much the Vikings and their fans felt about the pro football star. The Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver began a season of spectacular, sometimes stunning, play. -A rocky career in Minnesota in 1998.
Moss revealed last week that he was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma and underwent a six-hour surgery to remove his bile duct and was hospitalized for six days. He has resigned as an ESPN studio analyst but has vowed to return to the screen as soon as possible.
The Vikings invited former wide receivers Chris Carter and Jack Reed to serve as honorary captains, and they formed a “three-deep” trio with Moss that went 15-1 in the 1998 regular season. , but lost in overtime in the NFC Championship Game. Monday night against Chicago. Carter and Reed held up a replica Moss jersey as they walked to midfield for the pregame coin toss.
moss chime in on social media To reciprocate the love, there was a clever hashtag: “Let’s moss Cancer.” “You’re covered in moss!” The meme was repeated during ESPN’s analysis show, highlighting a receiver Hands burned defenders like Moss did for the Vikings, Raiders, Patriots and other teams in 14 seasons in the NFL while being a four-time All-Pro and recording 156 receptions. Ranked second in touchdown passes. ever.
“Thank you for everything he did for this game and what he did for me when I was a kid watching him do it,” Jefferson said in the locker room after Minnesota’s 30-12 win over Chicago. said in a postgame interview, wearing a Moss jersey. “As a fan of his, always show him some love.”
Jefferson, a college teammate of Moss’ son Thaddeus at LSU, said he recently sent Moss a text message after the cancer news broke to wish him well.
“I will always pray for him,” Jefferson said. “The impact he had on people, not just on me, but on the world was outstanding.”
Jefferson’s only regret was that he didn’t get the chance for a second tribute. In the second quarter, Jefferson broke free near the 5-yard line for a 30-yard touchdown catch from Sam Darnold, but he turned toward the goal line too early and lost the ball.
“I definitely don’t sleep well at night thinking about that second touchdown that I could have made. I guess it’s going to have to wait until next week,” Jefferson said, adding: “Please, let’s not talk about it. And then I kind of Blame yourself. These are simple ones. I always say opportunities are limited and you have to make the most of your opportunities. I was absolutely sick of it and Sam’s pitching was great. Looked away from it.”
Moss could throw him a pass, especially considering how well Jefferson has performed on a receiver-rich team. One day he was about to join Moss and Carter in Canton.
“I’m just happy that he’s back on his feet talking and being able to socialize,” Jefferson said. “God bless this.”
