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Despite not making much of an impact on an NFL field, Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy has become one of the cultural touchstones of the 2025 season thanks to his unfortunate “Nine” alter ego.
“For me, I call him ‘Nine.’ Nine comes out, and I gotta understand he can’t be at his peak performance all game,” the second-year Vikings QB said of his self-appointed “alter ego” earlier this season.
This video single handedly ruined JJ McCarthy’s career 😭
— Novo (@NovoHeat) November 23, 2025
Unfortunately for McCarthy, his performances haven’t warranted adorning himself with a nickname, leading to the whole “Nine” thing becoming a meme — a meme that has now made its way to South America, specifically Brazilian soccer.
Brazilian soccer team Flamengo made fun of Minnesota Vikings quarterback JJ McCarthy with a “nine” meme
Heartwarming: Flamengo wins their 9th Brasileirão title in honor of Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy’s alter-ego “Nine.” pic.twitter.com/VvHnMNmei8
— FL4MEN9O (@Flamengo_en) December 4, 2025
Nine has hit Brazilian soccer https://t.co/oSJSge466O pic.twitter.com/xTMOoWxFqN
— Jason Harmon (@_jason_777) December 4, 2025
In six starts for the Vikings this season, the University of Michigan product has completed 54.1% of its passes for 929 yards, 6 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. The Vikings have a 2-4 record in his six starts.
To be fair to McCarthy, he missed the entirety of his rookie season with an injury — he underwent surgery for a torn meniscus in his knee during the preseason — meaning the six games he’s played this year are the only NFL action he’s seen, which is far too small of a sample size to determine whether or not he has a future in the league.