He played soccer with Vinícius Júnior in Brazil and walked the runway with his friend Joe Burrow in Paris.
Now, he’s bringing the Griddy back to London. In other words, Justin Jefferson feels right at home.
The Minnesota Vikings receiver is embracing the international spotlight and becoming a global star as the NFL adds more games in other countries.
The undefeated Vikings arrived in London on Friday morning for their game against the New York Jets at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday.
“Just to play in a whole different country, around a whole new fan base, around people that don’t get to see you play — it’s very cool,” Jefferson said at the team’s hotel in Watford, England.
“We’re the only country that really plays the sport the way we do. Expanding it and getting some fans in other countries is very cool.”
London is just the latest stop for Jefferson, who visited Rio de Janeiro in 2023 to spend time with Real Madrid star Vinícius.
They played soccer and foot-volley, but Jefferson also learned about Brazilian food and Black artists in the bohemian Santa Teresa neighborhood. At the end of the trip, he wiped away a tear when reflecting on the experience.
In June, Jefferson visited Paris shortly after signing a four-year extension — the biggest contract in NFL history for a non-quarterback.
Jefferson and Burrow — whose 2019 season at LSU ended with the national championship — got dressed up to walk the Vogue World 2024 runway, an experience detailed by the fashion magazine.
The 25-year-old from Louisiana also toured Rome this summer with his parents and one of his older brothers as part of a promotion with a travel company.
After that, he starred in the Netflix documentary series “Receiver,” where Jefferson shares about his alter ego “Jets,” his love for Sour Patch Kids candy, and his close relationship with his parents and brothers.
This all helps market the NFL, which aims to host up to 16 international games each year. Brazil held its first NFL game this season, and Spain will have its first game next season at Real Madrid’s famous Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.
“Justin Jefferson is a great example of the type of young athlete in the NFL that we would like to make a face of the NFL internationally and especially in the U.K. and obviously with the Vikings being active here, that makes sense,” said Henry Hodgson, general manager of the NFL’s UK office.
The league’s “global markets program” allows teams to make commercial deals and hold events for fans in certain countries. The Vikings have the U.K. as one of their markets — Canada is the other.
Jefferson said that playing a game in Brazil would be “phenomenal.”
“I feel like having one in Italy would be a fire place to have one. Paris would be a fire place to have one,” he added. “Wherever, it will be a different vibe and a different culture just being in a different country.”
Entering Week 5, Jefferson is tied for the NFL lead in touchdown receptions (4). He made a great first impression in the U.K. two years ago when the Vikings defeated the New Orleans Saints 28-25. He had 10 catches for 147 yards and a rushing touchdown — and of course, he did the Griddy.
“It’s a blessing. To go from my mom telling me I need a touchdown celebration to now the whole world is doing the celebration — kids doing it left and right, and it’s still going five years after I first hit it,” he said.
He has something special planned for Sunday in the end zone, but “I just can’t let you know right now.”
The Vikings are promoting an ad on a large video screen above the busy Euston Underground Station in London. Jefferson appears prominently in it, along with quarterback Sam Darnold, who has had a strong comeback.
Jefferson’s Vikings jersey was the second best seller in the U.K. in September, according to the league, only behind Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
The league chose Jefferson as a global flag football ambassador in 2023. “When players embrace international travel and enjoy the idea of playing overseas, it helps them connect with fans,” Hodgson said.
“It also helps that he’s a big personality, an outstanding player on the field, and someone that fans notice, no matter which team they support. He’s one of those exciting players in the NFL that everyone loves to watch.”
