Purple jerseys may fly off the stands in UK stores thanks to Kevin O'Connell's sales pitch for the Vikings.

Following Minnesota's late afternoon practice at The Grove northwest of London, England, he stood in a room full of new faces and spent more than 15 minutes fielding questions from international media members.

Amongst the topics: Why are the Vikings the team independent fans across the pond should support?

"You guys got enough time?" quipped O'Connell.

Then the Vikings head coach supplied an overview of the club that doubled as an elevator pitch.

"I am certainly not the face of the franchise," smiled O'Connell, pointing toward a global frontrunner for that position. "We happen to have the best receiver walking the planet on our team as a great starting point. Electric. Best at what he does in the world. An entertainer. Loves when the lights are on. He's always at his best. But we have a lot of guys on this team. We've talked about Sam Darnold, bringing in Aaron Jones from the Green Bay Packers – who I know has played over here before and made a huge impact.

"Jordan Addison. Jalen Nailor. We've got a whole bunch of players that can show you what this game is all about every time they touch the ball," O'Connell added. "And then defensively, led by Brian Flores, it's going to be exciting. You're going to see a lot of guys up around the line of scrimmage. Don't know whether it's coming or going. Most times I don't either, so fans at home and fans watching the game here, it's exciting for a reason, because at any point in time, things can kind of hit the fan a little bit."

The Vikings bank on that.

Flores' unit is in tip-top shape when it creates organized chaos; Minnesota's offense – led by "Jets" Jefferson, Darnold, Jones and Co. – features equal creativity thanks to O'Connell and his assistants.

And then there's the Vikings culture, which is gaining reputation with each performance.

"They do it for each other," O'Connell assured. "I think people relate to that. And I think fans of all sports, no matter what you grew up watching, loving, I think our game provides you a way of doing that."

O'Connell takes pride, he said, in what the Vikings are building, and would love independent fans to join.

Here are five other takeaways from Friday's media availability with O'Connell, Jefferson and Darnold.

1. O'Connell on growing the game

O'Connell is a big fan of the NFL trying to nurture its fanbase on an international level.

He values the nuances of competition and the teamwork that the sport demands.

"I grew up loving this game. Everything about it," O'Connell said. "It really has defined who I am as a person, being around such a unique, dynamic team sport where you can accomplish nothing without the other 10 guys in the huddle doing their job without the other phases of the team playing complementary football, there's really nothing like it, as far as just a game that requires such physical commitment and sacrifice, but yet the mental aspect of each and every play, each and every situation of games."

There's no way to copy-and-paste outcomes. A million little things determine winners each week, O'Connell said. It explains why games are consistently close – and why a team can win on any given game day.

"Our rules are set up that really, every single training camp, every fan base should feel like, 'We've got a chance this year to do something special.' And then the best part is we roll it out 17 times and see what happens from there, so hopefully we continue to get more and more opportunities worldwide," shared O'Connell, applauding the interest from international fans. "I know how special this area of the world is, and the London Games have been such a phenomenal, phenomenal thing for our league."

2. Jefferson on the Griddy going global

Shoutout to Mama Jefferson!

Jefferson never imagined that his mother telling him he needed a touchdown celebration would result in the Griddy dance being as famous as it is five years after he first hit it.

"Truthfully, it's a blessing," Jefferson said. "The whole world is doing the celebration."

Jefferson caught 10 passes for 147 yards and scored a rushing touchdown in London in 2022, and he's currently riding a five-game touchdown streak dating to the end of last season.

"It definitely will go down as the best celebration ever, in my opinion," he predicted.

3. Jefferson on unique jersey exchange

Prior to starting his media session, Justin Jefferson was greeted at the podium by Nausicaa Dell'Orto, a "global football phenom" and captain of the championship-winning Italian National Team.

A Milano native, Dell'Orto is an Emmy-nominated producer and storyteller and founder of the first female American football league in Italy.

Dell'Orto presented Jefferson with her jersey and thanked him for the work he's done as a Global Flag Football Ambassador.

"Italy is smaller than Florida, right? But in Italy, we know you," she told Jefferson. "We know your route running. I get inspired by you. I get inspired by how you run your routes, and I get more creative every time I watch you, so thank you so much for doing that."

Jefferson smiled, gratitude filling his voice as he surprised Dell'Orto with a purple No. 18 Vikings jersey.

"I've got a little something for you, as well," he said. "Thanks for being the person you are and watching me. It's very inspirational. So, I've gotta give you one of [my jerseys], as well."

4. Darnold on his first international game

Sam Darnold will play back-to-back games at a new (to him) location, having made his debut at Lambeau Field last week and now prepping to play at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

A distance of 3,841 miles separates the two, though.

Darnold told media members following the Vikings Friday practice that it's his first time being in Europe.

"First time overseas. I'm very excited to play this weekend," Darnold said. "I thought, overall, we had a really good day today on the grass."

Minnesota's quarterback said he's spoken with teammates who have played previously in London about what to expect.

"They continue to talk about how great of an experience it is, and how in-tune the fans are with the game. Throughout the years and with all the media coverage that American football gets nowadays in Europe, I feel like the fans are continuing to learn the game more and more," Darnold said. "For us to be able to come here and have this dialogue … it's really a great experience.

"Then the biggest thing for us going into Sunday is just making sure we're getting our sleep [so] we're feeling right and kind of getting on this time zone," he added.

5. Darnold on facing his former team in the U.K.

The Vikings are considered the "home" team for Sunday's matchup across the pond, though players understand they're likely to see jerseys from any of the NFL's 32 teams present in the stands.

Darnold pointed out "Vikings fans are everywhere" but said the atmosphere could feel more like a neutral site rather than a home-field advantage for Minnesota as it "hosts" the Jets.

The setting is all new for Darnold, but will there be much familiarity (and emotion) when he faces the team that drafted him in 2018?

"Being a few years removed from it, obviously I still know a few players over there [and] seeing those guys is gonna be good," Darnold said, "and to see some of the equipment guys and some of the people I've dealt with behind the scenes over there, it will be good to see them. But other than that, it's just another really good opportunity to play solid football."