EAGAN, Minn. – Count this as the one instance Kevin O'Connell will wear green this week.
The Vikings head coach willingly allowed himself to be "slimed" by Sam Darnold following Wednesday's afternoon walk-through session preparing for Sunday's divisional matchup in Green Bay. O'Connell even managed a smile as the neon green goo dripped over this head (somewhat protected by a plastic slime cap), onto his shoulders and down his chest.
In recognition of Darnold's four-touchdown performance against the Texans last Sunday, the quarterback was announced as the Week 3 "NVP" (Nickelodeon Valuable Player) and received an NVP baseball cap and brightly colored trophy – which also serves as a kaleidoscope. Though the accompanying tubs of Nickelodeon's signature slime typically are intended for the award recipient, Vikings players have appreciated the opportunity to instead subject O'Connell to the ooze.
Seems like a small price to pay for an award-winning performance on game day, right?
"I will always be the guy to get slimed," O'Connell promised his players in 2022.
Darnold is the third Viking to be named NVP since its inception in 2021 as part of NFL Slimetime, a weekly Nickelodeon program presented by Dylan Gilmer and former Vikings receiver Nate Burleson. Justin Jefferson was the 2022 Week 1 winner after racking up 184 receiving yards and two touchdowns on nine catches.
View photos of Vikings QB Sam Darnold as he is awarded the Week 3 Nickelodeon Valuable Player and slimes Head Coach Kevin O'Connell and quarterback coaches Josh McCown and Grant Udinski.
Last season, Joshua Dobbs earned the NVP trophy after going 20-of-30 passing for 158 yards and two touchdowns, plus 66 rushing yards and a rushing TD. The stat sheet was even more impressive considering Dobbs had joined the Vikings just days prior to stepping in early for an injured Jaren Hall.
In addition to sliming O'Connell, Darnold saved some of the green slop for Grant Udinski, Minnesota's assistant offensive coordinator / assistant quarterbacks coach, and quarterbacks coach Josh McCown.
Vikings teammates circled around the group and cheered – not only for the award announcement but for the ensuing sliming.
Through three games for Minnesota, Darnold is 53-of-78 for 657 yards, eight touchdowns and two interceptions with a passer rating of 117.3.
He's now readying for the upcoming NFC North matchup in Green Bay, where the Vikings are slated to kick off at noon (CT) Sunday. Darnold will make his debut at Lambeau Field, one of just four NFL stadiums (Las Vegas, Denver and Tennessee) at which he's yet to play a regular-season game.
