EAGAN, Minn. — Justin Jefferson wasn't affected by Netflix stardom.
He remains exceptionally talented and is still answering questions with thoughtfulness and appreciation for playing football.
All was evident Day 1 of Vikings Training Camp on Wednesday afternoon.
In one instance, Jefferson reeled in a deep ball – or "dime" as he described it – from quarterback Sam Darnold, joyously hurdling over the goal line after breezing by the coverage. Happy in his environment.
"To get my feet back on the grass and to be running routes, again, definitely felt great," Jefferson, aka Jets, said following practice under a sunny sky at Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center.
Jefferson spent close to 10 minutes Wednesday recapping his celebrity summer – as one of the stars of Netflix's "Receiver" series, and recently walking the runway at Vogue World 2024 alongside college teammate and Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow – and expressing his excitement for the new season.
He rocked a pair of Oakley sunglasses, a practically permanent wardrobe item now (Jefferson is one of several NFL athletes with such a deal), and talked about leadership, goals and watching "Receiver."
After seeing two episodes at an invite-only premiere for the sports series that followed the Vikings superstar as well as Raider Davante Adams, Lion Amon-Ra St. Brown and 49ers Deebo Samuel and George Kittle over the duration of the 2023 season, Jefferson enjoyed the show in the company of family and friends.
"It was pretty fire to see how everything that happened with the season, how it came together, and to see other people's journeys and how their seasons went," said Jefferson, an ear-to-ear grin lighting up across his face when asked if he had a moment that he liked the most. "I feel like everybody's favorite clip was the Detroit game when I was talking a little smack and just playing my ball."
View photos of Vikings WR Justin Jefferson at Netflix's "Receiver" premiere in Los Angeles.
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ICYMI: Jefferson combined for 18 receptions, 333 yards and two touchdowns in a pair of games against the Lions last year. He ended a season that was cut nearly in half by injuries with a supernatural 12-catch, 192-yard performance. He walked his talk to an extreme.
Jets was a big fan of the series delivering a perspective that's rarely seen by the public.
He appreciated a chance "for people to really see the inside, behind the scenes of how we talk in the game-like situations, just the emotions, the competitive spirit – I feel like people actually got to see that."
His glamorous summer concluded with a comfort-zone-expanding trip to Paris Fashion Week.
"I'm a football player," Jefferson said, laughing, "I'm not used to dressing up and having cameras on me."
Well, technically true. Jefferson, however, is plenty used to wearing a helmet and doing things on the football field that are documented by everyone, everywhere. It's inevitable because of his superstardom.
It's why he says he expects deep-ball connections with his quarterbacks. It's why he's focused on getting his body right – hamstrings, joints, ligaments and all – and says his primary goal for 2024 is to stay available. After all, availability is the best ability. Also, it's why his role is so important.
As a leader of Minnesota's offense. That's how he holds himself.
"I have a 'C' on my chest, and I carry that with pride," Jefferson said, his tone getting more serious. "Every time I step foot on this field, even when I'm out of this building, people are looking at me and – I'm a role model – so I've just gotta carry that on my chest and make sure I'm doing the right things."
The world knows of Jefferson's talent – and character – thanks to his involvement on "Receiver." It's a reflection, he says, of his family's selflessness. He's not consumed by his record contract, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history, or spot in the media. He just loves the game, man.
"I don't need to be in no $10 million mansion – that's not something that I came from," Jefferson said. "I grew up with parents that [were] grateful for what they had, and I was grateful for what I grew up with."