NFL superstar unrecognizable after being spotted on the sidelines – and fans believe he’s a boy from ‘Stranger Things’

A MINNESOTA Vikings star appeared unnoticed after he was spotted on the sidelines of a regular season finale game.

However, fans believe that the rookie NFL player looked like an actor from the hit Netflix series Stranger Things.

3

3

During the highly anticipated Sunday evening football Game of week 18 between the Vikings and Detroit Lions, the NBC Cameras showed rookie quarterback JJ McCarthy on the sidelines.

The Vikings’ 2024 first-round pick spent his entire rookie season off the field due to a meniscus injury that required knee surgery in the preseason.

However, McCarthy’s appearance on live television went viral after former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III had difficulty identifying him on the broadcast.

McCarthy rocked fluidly hair and was noticeably thin and youthful looking.

“That wasn’t it JJ McCarthy Right? The river is GREAT NO MATTER,” Griffin III wrote on X.

Many fans agreed and responded that McCarthy looked younger than his usual 21-year-old self.

Some social media Users compared McCarthy’s appearance to that of Joe Kerry, who played teenager Steve Harrington in the film Science Fiction series Stranger Things.

Kerry, 32, also has long, flowing hair, is slim and looks youthful.

“The the stranger Things, dude?” an X user asked.

“Bro is Steve Harrington from ‘Stranger Things’ and now I’m worried the Vikings are upside down,” another commented.

“I’m pretty sure that’s the skinny high school kid in Stranger Things,” a third added.

McCarthy even responded to 2011 Heisman Trophy winner Griffin III on social media.

After Griffin III asked him, “Brother, is that you?” The streets need to know,” he said Michigan Wolverine’s product responded with a “Ver Ver Selb” GIF, a German-language meme Ice hockey Player Michel Weidekamp bites a puck.

“The river is majestic, my man,” replied Griffin III.

While McCarthy didn’t play in a single game, the Vikings have had excellent results with signalman Sam Darnold, who ranks in the top five for yards, touchdowns and passer rating.

However, Darnold would have a disappointing performance in Week 18, failing to score a touchdown in the team’s 31-9 loss at Detroit.

The Lions’ win secured them the NFC North Division title and first place in the NFC, while the Vikings received the fifth seed.

Minnesota will have to decide on the futures of both McCarthy and Darnolds in the offseason, as the latter is likely to receive a deal worth at least $40 million per year thanks to a franchise tag or franchise extension.

It appears the team’s goal will likely be to retain both quarterbacks through the 2025 season.

But first the Vikings will head out to take them on Los Angeles Rams in the Wild Card round next Monday.

3