LONDON —
He played soccer with Vinícius Júnior in Brazil and walked the catwalk with his friend Joe Burrow in Paris
Now he is heading to London.
In other words, Justin Jefferson is home.
The Minnesota Vikings wide receiver has embraced the international spotlight and is becoming an international star as the NFL adds more international games.
The undefeated Vikings will arrive in London on Friday before facing the New York Jets at Tottenham Stadium on Sunday.
“I just appreciate traveling, the experience of being in another country, the experience of being with another culture and being with the fans, especially the fans that only get one or two games a year,” Jefferson said before traveling.
“It is exciting to travel to another country, to have the experience of being in London and with the London fans.”
London is just another stop for Jefferson, who visited Rio de Janeiro in 2023 and spent time with Real Madrid star Vinícius Júnior. They played soccer, but Jefferson also learned about Brazilian cuisine and black artists in the Santa Teresa neighborhood.
In June, Jefferson headed to Paris for a couple of weeks after signing a four-year contract extension — the most expensive deal for a non-quarterback in the NFL. Jefferson and Burrow participated in the World Vogue 2024 catwalk.
Additionally, the 25-year-old visited Rome this summer with his parents and one of his brothers as part of a promotion for a travel company. And then he starred in the Netflix documentary “Reciever.”
All of this is a marketing gold mine for a league that hopes to have 16 international games each year. Brazil hosted its first regular-season game this year and Spain will host its first next season at the renovated Bernabeu Stadium.
“Justin Jefferson is a great example of the young athlete we want to be the international face of the NFL,” said Henry Hodgson, general manager of the NFL UK office.
Jefferson, the NFL co-leader in receiving touchdowns (4) entering Week 5, made an impression in London two years ago when the Vikings beat the New Orleans Saints 28-25. He had 10 receptions for 147 yards and a rushing touchdown.
Jefferson recalled this week the “great energy that was experienced at the Tottenham Stadium: “It is always incredible to hear the British accent.”
