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Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy drew inspiration from some of sports' greatest legends while dreaming of an NFL career in high school.
The Athletic's Alec Lewis spoke with Jim McCarthy, J.J.'s father, who shared what the first-round pick called his "GOAT book." Lewis described the tome as "a journal where J.J. jots down inspirational messages."
New England Patriots legend Tom Brady, basketball Hall of Famers Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan, and Muhammad Ali were among the luminaries McCarthy had taken note of.
McCarthy's off-field studies went well beyond taking broad lessons from those who came before him.