McCarthy's Viking Voyage: Fail, Slay, Repeat 💅🔥

Okay, werk! Our fave pigskin-slinging prince, J.J. McCarthy, is *finally* gracing the gridiron after a knee injury benched him last season. While technically not a rookie, this is his debut, and the gays are LIVING. He’s traded in his knee brace for a slay brace, honey, and we are ready for some touchdowns. Will he dethrone veteran quarterback Sam Darnold? This quarterback competition is hotter than a Grindr notification on a Saturday night! The suspense is killing us, but we're here for the drama, the athleticism, and the sheer audacity of it all. We're manifesting a winning season, because a winning team equals more shirtless J.J., and who are we to deny ourselves that pleasure? Let's be real, football season is just an excuse for queer sports fans to gather, snack, and thirst over these athletic gods. We're not saying J.J. is the reason for the season, but he's definitely giving us life. We stan a resilient king who bounces back from adversity. So, flex those biceps, J.J., and throw us a winning spiral. The gays are watching, and we're ready to gag. We're not expecting him to single-handedly solve all the world's problems (climate change, student debt, the never-ending discourse about pineapple on pizza), but a little queer joy on Sundays never hurt anybody. Crystal Methyd (she/her), local drag icon: "Honey, I'm ready to trade my wig for a helmet and join the team! J.J., if you need a cheerleader, call me... or don't, I'll be in the stands anyway." Bob the Drag Queen (she/her), reigning drag superstar and football enthusiast: "This quarterback competition is more dramatic than an episode of Drag Race! I'm living for the rivalry, the athleticism, and, of course, the uniforms." "We are thrilled to see J.J. back on the field," says Alex Fierce (they/them), Executive Director of Minneapolis LGBTQ+ Center. "Visibility matters, and having a talented athlete like J.J. thrive is inspiring for our community. Plus, the added eye candy doesn't hurt!" Story by Gaybrielle Union from LGBTQNN, reporting with pride. Yas queen!