5 Shocking Facts About J.J. McCarthy's Family And The Viral 'Brother Cheerleader' Rumor

The internet is a breeding ground for viral rumors, and one of the most persistent and sensational pieces of gossip surrounding Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy is the claim that he has a brother who is a cheerleader for the team. This specific rumor, which gained significant traction following the 2024 NFL Draft and the subsequent controversy involving the Vikings' cheerleading squad, centers around a fabricated name: "Blaize McCarthy." As of December 16, 2025, a deep dive into the quarterback's family life and the latest reports confirms that the story is entirely false, and the truth reveals a case of deliberate online misinformation. The reality is that J.J. McCarthy does not have a brother; he has two sisters, Caitlin and Morgan. The 'brother cheerleader' narrative is a clear example of a hoax that merged the name of the new Vikings quarterback with the name of an actual male cheerleader on the squad, Blaize Shiek, to generate controversy and clicks. We've compiled the most current and factual information to set the record straight on McCarthy's family, the origin of the 'Blaize McCarthy' rumor, and the actual story of the Vikings' cheer squad controversy that inspired the hoax.

J.J. McCarthy: Complete Biography and Profile

J.J. McCarthy is one of the most prominent young quarterbacks in the NFL, known for leading the Michigan Wolverines to a National Championship before being drafted by the Minnesota Vikings. His career trajectory and personal life have been under intense media scrutiny, which is often the catalyst for the spread of rumors like the 'brother cheerleader' story.

• Full Name: Jonathan James McCarthy
• Date of Birth: January 20, 2003
• Age (as of Dec 2025): 22
• Hometown: La Grange Park, Illinois
• Parents: Jim McCarthy (Father) and Megan McCarthy (Mother)
• Siblings: Caitlin McCarthy (Older Sister) and Morgan McCarthy (Younger Sister)
• High School: Nazareth Academy (La Grange Park, IL) and IMG Academy (Bradenton, FL)
• College: University of Michigan (2021–2023)
• NFL Draft: 1st Round, 10th overall pick by the Minnesota Vikings (2024)
• Position: Quarterback (QB)
• Fiancée: Katya Kuropas

McCarthy's strong family unit has been a consistent theme throughout his collegiate and professional career. His parents, Jim and Megan, have been fixtures at his games, and his sisters, Caitlin and Morgan, are frequently seen supporting him from the stands, underscoring the close-knit nature of the McCarthy family.

The Truth Behind the 'JJ McCarthy Brother Cheerleader' Rumor

The core of the "JJ McCarthy brother cheerleader" keyword is a piece of viral misinformation that spread rapidly across social media platforms. The rumor specifically claimed that a person named "Blaize McCarthy" was the quarterback's brother and that he had quit the Minnesota Vikings cheerleading squad due to harassment.

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This story is unequivocally false for two major reasons:

1. J.J. McCarthy Has No Brother

Authoritative and up-to-date sources confirm that J.J. McCarthy is the middle child of three, with two sisters named Caitlin and Morgan. There is no brother named Blaize, Jackson, Joe, or any other name within his immediate family.

2. The Name is a Hoax

The name "Blaize McCarthy" appears to be a deliberate conflation of two separate, newsworthy entities. The first is J.J. McCarthy, the new Vikings quarterback. The second is Blaize Shiek, one of the actual male cheerleaders who joined the Minnesota Vikings cheerleading squad. The hoax combined the first name of the cheerleader with the last name of the quarterback to create a sensational, yet completely untrue, narrative that would instantly grab attention from fans of both the NFL and the cheerleading controversy.

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This type of misinformation is common in the high-stakes world of professional sports, where linking a star player to a controversial or non-traditional story can generate immense traffic. The rumor was amplified by various social media accounts and even some less reputable news aggregators, which failed to verify the basic family facts of the quarterback.

Meet J.J. McCarthy's Actual Siblings: Caitlin and Morgan

While the rumor about a brother is false, J.J. McCarthy's actual siblings, his two sisters, are a vital part of his support system. Both Caitlin and Morgan McCarthy have maintained a relatively private life compared to their famous brother, but they are frequently mentioned by the family and in sports reports as his biggest fans.

Caitlin McCarthy: The Older Sister

Caitlin McCarthy is J.J.'s older sister. She has a degree of public presence through social media, where she often shares posts celebrating her brother's achievements, from his time at the University of Michigan to his transition to the Minnesota Vikings. She is a dedicated family member and a strong advocate for J.J., often seen at games alongside their parents.

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Morgan McCarthy: The Younger Sister

Morgan McCarthy is J.J.'s younger sister. She is currently a college student, having graduated from high school in 2023. Like Caitlin, Morgan has been a visible and vocal supporter of her brother’s football career. The dynamic between the three siblings—J.J., Caitlin, and Morgan—is one of mutual support, a testament to the strong foundation provided by their parents, Jim and Megan McCarthy.

The fact that J.J. has two sisters, and no brothers, is the definitive piece of evidence that debunks the entire 'brother cheerleader' narrative. Any search for "JJ McCarthy siblings" will consistently return the names Caitlin and Morgan, reinforcing the factual reality over the viral gossip.

The Real Story: Blaize Shiek, Louie Conn, and the Vikings Cheer Squad Controversy

The "Blaize McCarthy" rumor was able to gain traction because it piggybacked on a genuine and newsworthy event: the inclusion of male cheerleaders on the Minnesota Vikings squad. In a move toward greater inclusivity, the Vikings announced the addition of two male members, Blaize Shiek and Louie Conn, to their cheerleading roster for the 2025 season.

This decision, while celebrated by many, unfortunately sparked a wave of online harassment and backlash from some critics, particularly on social media.

• The Actual Cheerleaders: Blaize Shiek and Louie Conn.
• The Controversy: Their inclusion led to online criticism and targeted harassment, which the team and other NFL figures quickly condemned.
• The Hoax Connection: The viral post that started the 'brother cheerleader' rumor fabricated a scenario where "Blaize McCarthy" quit due to this harassment. This was a sensationalized, fake story designed to exploit the existing controversy and the fame of the new quarterback, J.J. McCarthy.

The true story is about the courage and talent of the Vikings' new cheerleaders, Blaize Shiek and Louie Conn, and the team's commitment to diversity. It is separate from J.J. McCarthy’s family life, which remains centered around his parents and two supportive sisters. The use of the LSI keyword "blaize shiek vikings" is crucial to understanding the contextual truth behind the false "blaize mccarthy" entity.

In conclusion, the 'JJ McCarthy brother cheerleader' story is a textbook example of a social media hoax. J.J. McCarthy is an only son with two sisters, Caitlin and Morgan. The name "Blaize McCarthy" is a fabrication, a mash-up of the quarterback's last name and the first name of a real Vikings cheerleader, Blaize Shiek, whose inclusion on the squad was a genuine news story that the rumor exploited for virality. Fans should rely on verified sources for information about the star quarterback's personal life and family.