JJ McCarthy declined a call from 1 sports legend after being drafted

Jan 6, 2024; Houston, TX, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) looks on during a practice session before the College Football Playoff national championship game against the Washington Huskies at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

JJ McCarthy’s first meeting with the Minnesota media forced him to decline a call he would have probably preferred to take.

The new Vikings quarterback met virtually with the media on Saturday for the first time, but had to decline a call in the middle of his availability. That call was from none other than Wayne Gretzky, which McCarthy noted.

J.J. McCarthy declined a call from Wayne Gretzky while on his first Vikings media interview 🤯 pic.twitter.com/pDFo7Lj0IT

— Blue By 90 (@bluebyninety) April 27, 2024

“Oh, wow, that’s Wayne Gretzky. I’m sorry about that,” McCarthy said as he declined the call. “Hockey guy one-on-one and going to the hockey state.”

McCarthy grew up playing hockey as well as football, so the importance of the call was not lost on him. The quarterback explained that his marketing agent is good friends with Gretzky, and connected the two shortly after McCarthy and the Michigan Wolverines won the national championship in January.

Gretzky will probably understand why McCarthy had to delay their post-draft chat. At least the young quarterback has his priorities straight as far as his media responsibilities. It probably beats the Jacksonville Jaguars’ experience with Trevor Lawrence, at least.