J.J. McCarthy Returns to Field Days After Welcoming Son

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy took to the field at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Sunday night, September 14, shortly after celebrating the birth of his son with fiancée Katya Kuropas.

The couple shared the joyous news of their son, Rome, arriving on Friday, September 12. “Welcome to the world Rome Micah McCarthy ✨,” Kuropas posted on Instagram, expressing their gratitude: “The sweetest, most perfect gift from God!! We are so unbelievably blessed to be your parents 💖.”

McCarthy, 22, donned an all-black outfit as he prepared for the Vikings’ Sunday Night Football clash against the Atlanta Falcons. His presence at the stadium came just days after he left practice early on September 11 to be with Kuropas for the birth, a detail shared by head coach Kevin O’Connell.

O’Connell, 40, expressed his excitement about the new addition to McCarthy’s family, stating he was “pumped” to share the news with the team. The couple had previously announced their pregnancy in May, posting a photo that showcased Kuropas’ baby bump with the caption: “The best surprises come when you least expect them. Our sweet baby boy is arriving in September and we couldn’t be happier 🥰👶.”

Teammate Justin Jefferson offered a playful congratulatory message to McCarthy. “If you’re seeing this now, congratulations, my boy. I’m excited for [you] with this new chapter,” Jefferson remarked in an interview published on September 10. “But after you get done, come on back.”

McCarthy and Kuropas’ relationship began in high school at Nazareth Academy and continued even after he transferred to IMG Academy. He proposed shortly after leading the Michigan Wolverines to a national championship victory in 2023. Their engagement announcement came in January 2024, featuring a photo with their dog, Marley, captioned: “Me, You & Marley Forever & Ever✨🐶.”

On the field, McCarthy recently made his professional debut in Week 1 against the Chicago Bears after missing his entire rookie season in 2024 due to a torn meniscus. Reflecting on his return, he noted, “I think it’s been 609 days since my last competitive football game [at Michigan], which was the national championship. 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.”