The ‘corny’ reason JJ McCarthy appeared a little different in his eye-opening Giants debut
The ‘corny’ reason JJ McCarthy appeared a little different in his eye-opening Giants debut
Andrew Crane Wed, October 28, 2026 at 1:11 AM UTC
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JJ McCarthy and CJ Stroud
J.J. McCarthy’s Ohio State grudge carried over to his debut as the Giants starter.
McCarthy didn’t wear his typical eye black during their overtime win over the Texans on Sunday because the former Michigan signal-caller was facing former Buckeyes quarterback C.J. Stroud — and, dating back to college, he reportedly wants them to look at his face after he beats them.
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He was recruited by Ohio State in high school but felt he was “lied” to by his now-rival throughout the process, he told The Athletic in 2019.
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“It is a little corny,” McCarthy said, “don’t get me wrong. It is for sure. But I guess I’m a corny guy. I took it personal in high school, growing up an Ohio State fan, like a die-hard Ohio State fan — had the comforter, had the fatheads, everything.”
McCarthy said his tradition will continue for the rest of his career, though it’s “strictly” reserved for Stroud, maybe Dolphins backup Kyle McCord, then Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day if he ever “comes up to the NFL.”
J.J. McCarthy of the Giants — without his signature eye black — celebrates after defeating the Texans at Reliant Stadium in Houston on Oct. 25, 2026. Getty Images
McCarthy won all three of his games against the Buckeyes when at Michigan, while also securing a national championship with the Wolverines before getting drafted No. 10 overall in 2024 by the Vikings.
He emerged with a victory against Stroud in Houston on Sunday.
McCarthy took over for a benched Jameis Winston in Week 6 and went 20-for-28 for 252 yards, adding to his fourth quarter from the Saints game the week prior when he threw for 243 yards in a frantic comeback that fell just short.
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) greets New York Giants quarterback J.J. McCarthy (18) after a game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
“We play in the entertainment business, and I can see how that gets a lot of traction. But at the end of the day, it’s just something I hold near and dear to my heart,” McCarthy, whom the Giants acquired from Minnesota after Jaxson Dart’s injury, said of his eye black removal for games with Ohio State connections.
Source: “AOL Sports”
