Justin Jefferson Reveals the Special Meaning Behind His Randy Moss T-Shirt: ‘Definitely Want That Gold Jacket’

Justin Jefferson may have manifested his performance against the Chicago Bears in the 2022 season. During the Week 5 game, the wide receiver surpassed Hall of Famer Randy Moss for the Minnesota Vikings‘ record of most receptions in the first three years of an NFL career.

The prior season, Jefferson sported a Randy Moss t-shirt during pregame warmups. A prediction of his future success? Maybe. The Moss t-shirt has a special meaning to the 24-year-old, regardless.

Justin Jefferson wore a special Randy Moss t-shirt ahead of his

Justin Jefferson paid homage to Randy Moss, one of the most gifted wide receivers of all time. The wideout took the field for pregame warmups before Minnesota's game against the Green Bay Packers. He was wearing a t-shirt with Moss' face on it.

The move drew attention because of Moss' dominance for the Minnesota Vikings from 1998 to 2004. Jefferson is having a similar impact in today's NFL.

After the game, Jefferson discussed the special meaning behind his decision to wear the shirt. “I admire him so much,” said Jefferson, according to Pro Football Talk. “Classified as one of the best, if not the best, receiver in history. Definitely trying to follow behind him. I definitely want that gold jacket.”

Moss earned his gold jacket when he entered the illustrious Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018. While Jefferson admits he wants to follow in the six-time Pro Bowler’s footsteps, he knows the importance of being himself.

“I try to be my own guy, but I like to put a couple of other players’ moves like releases in my own game,” he said. “I try to be like myself. Just try to act like myself, play like myself. I feel like I have that confidence.”

Justin Jefferson will end up in Canton at this pace

Justin Jefferson has made every team that passed up the opportunity to draft him pay. The receiver entered the league with a massive chip on his shoulder. He played in a crowded wide receiver room at LSU alongside Ja'Marr Chase (Bengals) and Terrace Marshall Jr. (Panthers).

Four wideouts went before Jefferson in the 2020 NFL Draft. If he had something to prove, he's already done so in three short years.

The Minnesota Vikings are reaping the rewards of their belief in Jefferson. As a rookie, he set the single-season rookie receiving yards record in 2020 (1,400). A year later, he made the Pro Bowl and second-team AP All-Pro team for a second season in a row. At the end of the 2021 season, Jefferson had 1,616 receiving yards and ranked No. 17 on the NFL's list of the Top 100 Players.

In 2022, during the Vikings' Week 12 game against the Patriots, he surpassed Moss for the most receiving yards in a player's first three seasons. At the season's end, Jefferson won Offensive Player of the Year and made the final list of candidates for NFL MVP.

Then he kicked off the 2023 season with nine catches for 150 yards in the opener and followed it up with 11 grabs for 159 yards in Week 2 and seven receptions for 149 yards and his first score of the season in Week 3. Through four appearances in 2023, Jefferson has 33 catches for three touchdowns and a league-best 543 yards.

If it's the gold jacket he is after, he's heading in the right direction. Justin Jefferson has the swagger and the elite tools to match. Randy Moss must be proud.

Stats courtesy of Pro Football Reference