J.J. McCarthy showed his spicy side during the Minnesota Vikings' Week 15 win over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.
McCarthy scored a rushing touchdown on a fourth-and-goal play in the second quarter, but before crossing the goal line, he busted out the Griddy, which is the signature celebration of wide receiver Justin Jefferson.
While Vikings coaches didn't have an issue with the celebration itself, they would have preferred McCarthy wait until after crossing the goal line to do it.
"The finish, I would not classify as special," head coach Kevin O'Connell said, per ESPN's Kevin Seifert.
"It was entertaining," O'Connell added. "I guess we are in the entertainment business, but I would've preferred him to show that 40 time that he likes to talk about having never run, his 40 coming out [of college], which was unique, to say the least."
Vikings offensive coordinator Wes Phillips also wasn't thrilled with McCarthy's decision to celebrate before scoring the touchdown.
"As coaches we want everyone to cross the goal line and then celebrate," Phillips said.
Possibly adding to their mild frustration over McCarthy's celebration, the Vikings quarterback was told not to do that when he pulled out the celebration in practice.
However, McCarthy admits he simply didn't listen.
"I did it in practice, and I was told not to do it," he said. "So, just me being who I am, it's like, 'Oh, now I'm more enticed to do it.' But if it's that open, obviously just get in the end zone no matter what -- and be coachable and do what my coach says. So yeah, I'll definitely get a minus [grade] for that."
It's understandable why O'Connell and Phillips feel the way they do.
After all, the most important thing is actually crossing the goal line and celebrating like McCarthy did runs the risk of him dropping the ball before scoring, something we've seen multiple players do this season, and countless players do over the years.
McCarthy has enough problems as he navigates what has been a tough season. If he had committed one of the biggest sins in the NFL, things only would have gotten worse for him.
Despite that minor hiccup, McCarthy played a fantastic game overall and is now moving in the right direction after stacking two solid showings in a row.
Now, he'll look to keep the good times rolling in a Week 16 matchup against the New York Giants.
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