Dec 30, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports.
On Wednesday night, Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson came to the defense of his quarterback after ESPN analyst and former NFL linebacker Channing Crowder said about Kirk Cousins on ESPN’s First Take, “Kirk Cousins in the 4th Quarter, down by three or up by two — I don’t trust him in that situation. I’m discouraged if I’m the Minnesota Vikings.”
Crowder added, “I’ve seen some weaknesses out of the Vikings, and it’s on Kirk Cousins’ shoulders,” while identifying the Vikings QB1 as the franchise’s weak link.
Jefferson wasn’t impressed and retweeted the video clip with this comment, “All of the Kirk criticism has to stop!! I understand y’all hate the dad swag but come on his numbers are right with y’all’s MVP candidates.”
And then that was it. That’s the last anybody will hear from Jefferson on Twitter indefinitely. The 23-year-old deleted his Twitter account early this weekend.
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It is unclear why Jefferson said goodbye to Twitter.
Only two possibilities exist why Jefferson moved on from his popular Twitter account:
Until Jefferson returns to Twitter, the “why” may be a mystery, but his Twitter is gone-gone as of Saturday night. And before inxnaying the social media app, Jefferson was a seldom user. Other Vikings players like Akayleb Evans use Twitter daily — almost hourly, at times — but Jefferson was an “every now and then” guy.
In addition to possible “Zero Dark Thirty” mode for Jefferson a la LeBron, the LSU alumnus is also emmeshed in a chase for individual history. Jefferson is 209 yards from owning the NFL’s single-season record for most receiving yards. Calvin Johnson fired up 1,964 yards in 2012, and Jefferson is thumping on the door. Too, the pass-catcher needs 244 yards to hit the 2,000-yard mark, which has never been met or surpassed by anybody. So, as the Vikings hope to secure the NFC’s No. 2 seed, Jefferson has primo personal feats in the crosshairs.
Jefferson enjoys basketball, too, and playfully told reporters about two years ago that James and the Lakers should give him a call.
James also sang Jefferson’s praises in 2021 on Twitter while watching the Vikings and Bears on Monday Night Football.
Jefferson and the Vikings take on the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on Sunday. Minnesota won the last meeting at U.S. Bank Stadium in Week 1, and Jefferson tallied 9 receptions for 184 yards and a touchdown. Curiously, Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander called that performance from Jefferson “a fluke” this week. We shall see if Jefferson is up to his fluky ways in Week 17.
Green Bay is favored by three points to defeat Minnesota and continue its unlikely quest for the playoffs.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Viking fandom dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).