J.J. McCarthy Kicks Off 2025 with Community Impact and a Heartfelt Highlight
J.J. McCarthy made his first meaningful contribution of 2025, not on the football field, but by giving back to the community. The Vikings’ second-year quarterback, alongside his fiancée Katya, joined the Vikings Table food truck powered by Xcel Energy at YouthLink’s Drop-In Center to distribute meals to teens and young adults.
Among the meals served, one was especially significant: a meal packed in a gold bag to mark the 100,000th meal delivered since the Vikings Table mission began in the summer of 2019. These meals were brought to YouthLink in a new refrigerated van, allowing for increased flexibility in reaching more people in need of a good meal.
McCarthy took part in handing out Southwest-themed bowls filled with options like chicken, spicy chicken, beef, or vegetarian choices alongside Xcel Energy Senior VP Rob Clark.
“The handoffs went great,” McCarthy shared. “But the real highlight was seeing the smiles on the recipients’ faces.” Clark added that the event highlighted the strong partnership between Xcel Energy and the Minnesota Vikings Foundation, and underscored the ongoing issue of food insecurity in the community. “While we’re proud of the milestone, it also reminds us of the work that remains,” Clark said. “We’ll keep focusing on this issue and do what we can to ensure people have access to the food they need.”
J.J. McCarthyJust months after being selected 10th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, McCarthy is already making a significant impact in his new community, even in the face of Minnesota’s harsh winter weather. “Being from the Midwest, I can relate to the seasons,” McCarthy said. “It’s special to connect with the city and its people—it’s amazing to have these opportunities and cherish each one.”
YouthLink serves young people aged 16 to 24 who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness in the Twin Cities. One of the clients, Darian Rosenthal, was thrilled to meet McCarthy and chat about football. “It’s been a blessing,” Rosenthal said. “He’s going to do great this year, I know it. I just congratulated him on his season.”
Rosenthal praised YouthLink for helping him achieve goals he couldn’t have done alone. “They’ve provided me with stable housing and the support I need,” he said. On top of that, McCarthy gave Rosenthal a special memento—his autographed No. 9 jersey.
Ko Quaye, YouthLink’s Director of Youth Services, spoke about the importance of the organization’s work, noting that they serve over 120 young people daily. “We see so many young people come through our doors every year,” Quaye said. “Partnerships like this one with the Minnesota Vikings Foundation make this work possible.” He was especially moved by the interaction between McCarthy and Rosenthal, calling it a “once-in-a-lifetime experience” for the young people they serve. “To witness something like this in our parking lot—it’s phenomenal.”
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