Vikings’ J.J. McCarthy Draws Attention as Childhood Photo Resurfaces

When Did J.J. McCarthy Watch His First Vikings-Bears Game?

McCarthy was born Jan. 20, 2003, which should make all of us feel old. More importantly, it gives us an idea of when that game occurred. Based on Scoggins’ reporting that a 4-year-old McCarthy’s first Bears game came against the Vikings at Soldier Field, it appears that he watched a 34-31 Minnesota victory on Oct. 14, 2007.

The box score shows just how wild the Sunday afternoon showdown was, with 24 points exploding in the final 4:10. Bears superstar Devin Hester scored twice, once on an 89-yard punt return in the first quarter and again on a game-tying, 81-yard touchdown catch with 1:38 left. Vikings rookie running back Adrian Peterson rushed for 224 yards and three scores, carrying the load on a day where Tarvaris Jackson went 9-of-23 for 136 yards; most of that production came on a 60-yard touchdown pass to Troy Williamson.

Minnesota clinched the victory on Ryan Longwell’s game-winning 55-yard field goal as time expired. If McCarthy stayed the entire game, he certainly got his money’s worth — and he learned how painful it is being a Bears fan.

Luckily, a quarterback battle between McCarthy and Caleb Williams sounds far more entertaining than one between Jackson and Brian Griese. Let’s see whether or not the two follow through, or if they’ll give fans a reason to turn Monday Night Football off early.