So, that left him as a heavy favorite to win the Offensive Player of the Year award. At Thursday’s awards ceremony, it was confirmed that Jefferson was the OPOY by a landslide. He was given 35 out of a possible 50 first-place votes.
Feb 9, 2023; Phoenix, Arizona, US; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson poses for a photo after receiving the award for AP Offensive Player during the NFL Honors award show at Symphony Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The awards didn’t stop there as Jefferson also picked up the Moment of the Year award. The award was for his incredible one-handed fourth down catch against the Buffalo Bills, of which the gloves he wore are already in the NFL Hall of Fame.
Feb 9, 2023; Phoenix, Arizona, US; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson poses for a photo on the red carpet before the NFL Honors award show at Symphony Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports.
Jefferson took time out to thank Vikings fans after receiving his award.
Awards, records, and accolades never seem to stop rolling in for Jefferson, and the expectation is that they will keep coming. Here is some reaction from some of his teammates and a couple of Vikings legends.
Players React to Justin Jefferson’s OPOY
After he had finished singing with Kelly Clarkson, Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins took to Twitter to congratulate his teammate. Cousins’ prediction of “Lots more to go get up ahead” indicates the confidence surrounding Jefferson — rightly so after the three seasons he’s produced to date.
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Some of Jefferson’s offensive teammates gave a simple nod of recognition in the form of his nickname — Jets.
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Praise From Vikings Legends
There was also praise from some Vikings legends in the form of a pair of Hall of Famers. Former Vikings wide receiver Cris Carter gave his opinion that the choice of Jefferson for Offensive Player of the Year was indeed the right one.
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While legendary defensive end Carl Eller implored the Vikings wideout to “keep it up” after running into him, he also praised the superstar wide receiver for his kindness and humility.
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Following the announcement, Jefferson’s former college, LSU, put up this wonderful tribute video.
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Jefferson appreciates and enjoys the awards and accolades that come his way, but most of all, he is a winner. He wants the big prizes. Individually, that means the MVP award, but the biggest prize is getting your hands on the Lombardi trophy and a Super Bowl ring.
That’s what Jefferson wants most of all. Can he do that in Minnesota? Time will tell. If he can, he will become the biggest Vikings legend of all.