Pro athletes experience the post-college life too.
During the Minnesota Vikings media availability on Friday Dec. 13, star receiver Justin Jefferson revealed that he and college teammate Ja'Marr Chase don't talk as much as they used to anymore.
The two wideouts were stars at LSU. Chase won the Biletnikoff Award and was selected to the First-team All-American Team in 2019. Chase also set records for the program – first in receiving yards in a season (1,780), first in receiving-TDS in a season (20), second in most 100-yard games in a season (nine) and second in most-consecutive 100-yard games in a season (five).
Jefferson also put his name in the record books – single-season record holder with 111 receptions (2019), fifth in receptions (165), sixth in receiving yards (2,415) and third in receiving TDS (24). During the College Football Playoffs, Jefferson game record with 14 receptions for 227 yards and four touchdowns against Oklahoma.
"Not really, not during season," Jefferson said about not talking to Chase anymore. "There's stuff going on in both of our lives. I mean we just never really talked on that level where we would talk all the time."
Jefferson declared for the NFL Draft after winning the National Championship in 2019. The wideout was taken in the first round (22nd overall) by the Vikings in 2020. Chase declared for the draft the following season. The Cincinnati Bengals selected Chase fifth overall (2021) and reunited him with his LSU quarterback Joe Burrow.
"We always hung out when we were in college. We always talked in that position. But once I got into the league, [COVID-19] and stuff happened. Things kinda changed a little bit."
No ill will, no bad falling out. Just life.
Since entering the league, the former Tigers have picked up where they left off. Chase won Offensive Rookie of the Year (2021) while Jefferson won Offensive Player of the Year (2022), both are three-time Pro Bowlers, and they've both been selected to the AP All-Pro Team.
Right now Chase and Jefferson are the top-two receivers in the league. Chase has 93 receptions (first), 1,319 yards (first) and 15 TDS (first) while Jefferson has 75 receptions (tied for ninth), 1,170 yards (second) and seven TDS (tied for sixth).
