Is Justin Jefferson Autistic? No, Justin Jefferson doesn’t have autism or any health issues. However, he has definitely suffered from an injury.
Justin Jefferson is a professional American football wide receiver who plays for the Minnesota Vikings in the National Football League (NFL).
He played a vital role in the LSU Tigers’ 2019 success, contributing to their 2020 College Football Playoff National Championship win.
Jefferson was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the first round (22nd overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft.
Jefferson quickly made a mark, earning Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors in each of his first three seasons.
In 2022, at 23 years old, he became the youngest player to lead the league in receptions (128) and receiving yards (1,809), securing Offensive Player of the Year accolades.
With an impressive start, Jefferson set records for receiving yards through a player’s first three seasons, showcasing his prowess as a dynamic and impactful wide receiver.
Also Read: Is Lauren Ridloff Deaf? Hearing Impaired Eternals Actress Makkari
Is Justin Jefferson Autistic?
As said earlier, Justin Jefferson is not an autistic. The news of him being autistic is making the headlines after he was seen helping a young man with autism back in 2020.
On a special one-year anniversary episode of Conor’s Corner, a radio show on Frogtown Community Radio, Jefferson, despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, joined remotely to support a young man with autism, Conor O’Meara.
Conor fulfilled his dream of having a radio show, aiming to showcase the abilities of people with disabilities.
His nonprofit, Conor’s Corner, has a GoFundMe campaign with a goal of $25,000 to provide opportunities for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The Vikings and Jefferson contributed to this cause. During the show, Jefferson expressed his love for being a Minnesota Viking and shared his excitement about playing in the NFL.
Conor asked about Jefferson’s first catch, his favorite athlete (LeBron James), and how the Vikings adapted to playing without fans.
Despite the challenges, Jefferson emphasized the team’s focus on bringing energy and preparation to each game. He congratulated Conor on the show’s one-year anniversary, commending him for a great job.
Other special guests, including WCCO’s Frank Vascellaro, joined the episode. Vascellaro praised Conor for being on the show, calling it the “best thing that’s happened to [him] in weeks.”
Read More: Is Simon Cowell Son Disable? Is Eric Cowell Autistic? Health Update 2023
Justin Jefferson Health Update & Illness
There’s no information about the NFL wide receiver having an illness, but it’s confirmed that he did experience an injury.
On October 11, 2023, the Vikings put Justin Jefferson on injured reserve because of a hamstring injury from Week 5. He returned on November 28, 2023.
He went to a local hospital after a chest injury in a 3-0 win against the Las Vegas Raiders but will travel home with the team. The coach sent him for further evaluation, fearing internal injuries.
Although he returned to the field by the end of the game, it’s uncertain if he’ll play in the next game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday.
According to the December 2023 report, Coach Kevin O’Connell said they avoided anything serious.
Jefferson’s absence impacted the Vikings’ scoring, and the game became the lowest-scoring indoor NFL match since 2007.
Backup quarterback Nick Mullens led the winning drive, replacing Josh Dobbs. O’Connell didn’t name a starting quarterback for the future, considering other injuries, including those to Brian O’Neill and Alexander Mattison.
Jefferson’s injury happened in the second quarter, and he left the field immediately. He caught two passes for 27 yards in 13 snaps. This injury followed a right hamstring injury in Week 5, causing him to miss seven games.
Starting the season strong, Jefferson aimed for 1,000 yards after missing games. However, achieving this goal is challenging after his latest injury.
