Who would have thought JJ McCarthy’s first steps into the NFL would turn out to be this historic, as he flipped a bad start into a heroic victory. The former Michigan star propelled the Minnesota Vikings to an unbelievable 27-24 finish against the Chicago Bears on Monday.
Over the course of three quarters, the rookie quarterback looked totally lost. Then, a switch flipped. McCarthy rallied the Vikings after being down 11 points. He called for a perfect fourth quarter, scoring 21 unanswered.
As Vikings fans enjoyed the instant classic, social media told a different tale. Fans of Michigan’s arch-nemesis, Ohio State Buckeyes (OSU), took to the platforms in massive numbers. This was in direct relation to the sign-stealing scandal that hovered above the quarterback’s career.
In reaction to an X post by The Athletic reporter Bruce Feldman, an OSU fan wrote:
“Helps when you cheat”
Helps when you cheat
— Buckeye Justice (@Buckeye_Justice) September 9, 2025
More reactions from OSU fans started flowing in.
“Lots of cheating in those games,” stated a fan.
“Cheating helped,” commented a fan.
“15 of those where during the Cheating Years,” remarked a fan.
“If you count cheating—yes,” stated another fan.
“Vikings aren’t stealing signs though,” commented another fan.
“It only took the largest cheating scandal in the history of organized football and an ass bears team… Congrats?,” remarked a fan sarcastically.
“Ong now yall making me want my falcons to expose buddy . He not that,” said another fan.
Meanwhile, the fourth quarter alone saw McCarthy account for three touchdowns. One was a touchdown pass to star receiver Justin Jefferson whilst also throwing one touchdown pass to running back Aaron Jones. McCarthy’s NFL journey indeed has started with a very special game.
Why Were OSU Fans Angry With JJ McCarthy? A Look At The Penalties For Michigan
This debut was a long time coming for the young quarterback. The Vikings took McCarthy 10th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. We never saw him play in his rookie season, with a knee injury sidelining him for the whole season.
Meanwhile, the controversy is rooted in McCarthy’s time at The University of Michigan. The NCAA concluded its multi-year investigation of the football program and found the team guilty of a detailed sign-stealing operation from 2021-2023. That timeframe encompassed McCarthy’s time as quarterback and his time of winning the championship.
The investigation focused on one staffer, Connor Stalions, who setup a system of improper in-person scouting. The improper scouting targeted at least 13 rival programs. The NCAA also concluded that staff members, including current head coach Sherrone Moore, attempted to obstruct the NCAA investigation by destroying evidence.
While penalties were harsh, they did not vacate wins. Michigan will be penalized financially $30 million. They will also face recruiting restrictions as well as scholarship budget penalties. Along with those, former Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh was given a 10-year show-cause order, which is essentially a ban from college football until 2038.
Read More:
- What Is JJ McCarthy’s Pregame Routine? All We Know About Former Michigan Star’s Warmup Ritual Ahead Of Minnesota Debut
- Bryce Underwood Transfer Portal: Top 5 Landing Spots If Michigan QB Moves Away From Sherrone Moore’s Wolverines Ft. Alabama
- IN PICS: J.J. McCarthy and Fiancée Katya Kuropas Pose for Elegant Maternity Photo Shoot
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