PHOENIX – Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson won Offensive Player of the Year at the NFL Honors on Thursday night.
As if there were any doubts.
Jefferson leads the league in yards received in 2022 NFL season, accumulated 1,809 from his midfielder Kirk’s cousin. He also leads the league in tackles, with 128. Oh, and he did it at 23, becoming the youngest player to lead the league in yards received in league history. .
“It’s been an honor to be around these people and be nominated for an award,” Jefferson said on the red carpet before the show. “It’s just to show you all the hard work that I’ve done.”
The fruits of his labor are abundant. Jefferson scored 100 yards or more in games last season, helping to take Minnesota to a 13-4 record and NFC North title. However, more than the stats are the intangibles. Not only is he Jefferson Minnesota’s most productive player this season, he’s also their best.
Look no further than Week 10 compared to Bill. If you think Odell Beckham Jr. take an iconic hand impressively, Jefferson said “keep my beer” in Buffalo.
Positioned as if he were performing a backstroke in midair, Jefferson grabbed the ball with three fingers between a defender’s hands to snatch it away. Not only are there eye-catching acrobatics, the catch itself is also controversial, unlike Beckham’s free fall into the end area. And I mentioned JJ’s game that came in at 4th and 18th with Minnesota leading in the final minutes of regulation.
Fittingly, the scene has been picked as “Best Moment of the Year” and is one of many (many) examples from this season in which Jefferson came on the field for a Minnesota team that finished a billion-dollar game. number with an incredible 11-0 score.
Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell was on hand to see Jefferson win the OPOY award, sitting behind him at Symphony Hall in downtown Phoenix. After hugging his parents, Jefferson immediately turned around and hugged O’Connell. The superstar then stood up in front of an auditorium filled with his colleagues and choked as he thanked his family
“My parents, John and Elaine Jefferson, you all made me who I am today,” he said, fighting back tears. “There’s more.”
No racing. After all, Jefferson had the most catches (324) and received the most yards (4,825) in NFL history after three seasons.
“Of course, I’ll celebrate with my friends and family,” Jefferson humbly said before the show. “It’s an honor to be recognized for what I’ve done this season, so I’ll celebrate either way, but I guess we’ll see.”
There’s no “we’ll see” about it. Jefferson and his family have a lot to celebrate these days.
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