In the lead-up to the College Football Playoff national championship clash against the formidable No. 2 Washington, Michigan’s star quarterback, J.J. McCarthy, found solace in a pregame meditation session. Approximately three hours before kickoff, amidst a throng of photographers and videographers, McCarthy immersed himself in this calming ritual.
Sitting cross-legged with his shoes removed, McCarthy positioned himself behind the Michigan end zone, gently closing his eyes for several minutes. He shielded his gaze beneath a baseball cap pulled low and further concealed by the hood of his sweatshirt.
McCarthy’s introduction to mindfulness transpired during his time at Nazareth Academy in La Grange Park, Illinois, where he accomplished the impressive feat of securing a state title in three championship game appearances. Subsequently, he embarked on his senior season in 2020 at IMG Academy in Florida, where stringent pandemic restrictions often confined him to his room, limiting social interactions.
Today, meditation is an integral part of his daily routine. McCarthy dedicates 20 to 30 minutes each morning to this practice, setting aside an additional 10 to 15 minutes on game days after the team bus arrives at the stadium, just before he joins his teammates for warm-ups.
McCarthy, now in his third year of college, boasts a remarkable record of 26 wins and only one loss as a starter over the past two seasons.