Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins dusted off his “Kirko Chainz” persona on Thursday night, breaking into a tune in front of the NFL’s Honor Ceremony capacity crowd — and live national audience.
Cousins shared the stage with show host and singer Kelly Clarkson, and the rest is history.
Kirk Cousins Broke the Internet
Kirk Cousins at the NFL’s 2023 Honors Ceremony where his play with Justin Jefferson took home ‘Best Moment.’
Earlier in the night, San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle first serenaded the crowd, and, well, it was terrible. But Cousins wasn’t half-bad, at least in Clarkson’s estimation.
Cousins was on stage after Justin Jefferson won the 2022 NFL Moment of the Year award. The Pioneer Press’ Chris Tomasson tweeted, “Vikings WR Justin Jefferson wins NFL Moment of the Year for his epic catch at Buffalo.”
Feb 5, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; NFC quarterback Kirk Cousins of the Minnesota Vikings (8) throws the ball against the AFC during the Pro Bowl Games at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports.
Jefferson also took home the Offensive Player of the Year award, which was probably the night’s biggest bit of Vikings news. But the Cousins’ song duo certainly didn’t disappoint. Jefferson became the second Vikings player ever to win OPOY, with Fran Tarkenton winning in 1975 and Adrian Peterson in 2012.
Sep 19, 2021; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) warms up prior to facing the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports.
Cousins wore the pile of chains around his neck as a reference to the team’s winning streak back in October. The Vikings were triumphant in oodles of road contests, and for some reason, teammates began tossing chains on Cousins’ throat, and the QB1 seemed to rather enjoy the ice. Not long after, Kirko Chainz, or Big Kirko, was born, and the routine extended for about a month before the torch — and chains — were passed to cornerback Patrick Peterson.
The reaction to Cousins’ unexpected musical adventure was comical, appreciative, and widespread. Jordan DeArmon tweeted, “Kirk Cousins is also an American treasure.”
“KIRK COUSINS, MUSICAL THEATRE KING!” said TSN Sports.
Lily Zhao from FOX6 posted, “Kirk Cousins on stage was…… a treat ????”
Dec 24, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) warms up before the game against the New York Giants at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
FOX Sports’ Carmen Vitali was amazed, too, “Let the record show that Kirk Cousins can sing?”
The Athletic’s Alec Lewis was more befuddled than anything, “Kirk Cousins is singing Kelly Clarkson send tweet.”
This isn’t Cousins’ first brush with music with the Vikings. This famous video circulated a couple of years ago and involved Minnesota’s quarterback singing Blink 182.
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So, the man has a little undercover history — or amateur singing gig that he wasn’t afraid to pull out in front of Kelly Clarkson, whose resume includes three Grammys.
Cousins is under contract with the Vikings through the end of the 2023 season but could be extended this offseason, likely sometime in the next 5-6 weeks.