Sam Darnold Named Week 3 ‘NVP’ by Nickelodeon

EAGAN, Minn. – Count this as the one instance Kevin O’Connell will wear green this week.

The Vikings head coach willingly allowed himself to be “slimed” by Sam Darnold following Wednesday’s afternoon walk-through session preparing for Sunday’s divisional matchup in Green Bay. O’Connell even managed a smile as the neon green goo dripped over this head (somewhat protected by a plastic slime cap), onto his shoulders and down his chest.

In recognition of Darnold’s four-touchdown performance against the Texans last Sunday, the quarterback was announced as the Week 3 “NVP” (Nickelodeon Valuable Player) and received an NVP baseball cap and brightly colored trophy – which also serves as a kaleidoscope. Though the accompanying tubs of Nickelodeon’s signature slime typically are intended for the award recipient, Vikings players have appreciated the opportunity to instead subject O’Connell to the ooze.