Becoming a superstar while playing for a small-market team isn’t very viable. Well, unless you’re Anthony Edwards or Justin Jefferson. They both broke the mould — showing players that you can make just as much of an impact playing for the Timberwolves and the Vikings as you can for, say, the Lakers or the Dallas Cowboys. And their connection runs deeper than simply playing for a team that hasn’t seen a trophy in years or recreating an iconic photo. No, they’re connected by their mutual love for Minnesota sports — something that was on full display tonight.

The Minnesota Timberwolves are playing the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals. The stakes are high for tonight’s game. If Minnesota wins, they tie up the series 2-2. But if they lose, they’ll go 3-1, and that’s a huge mountain to climb.

And recognizing the importance of this game, the Vikings’ wide receiver has shown up at the Target Center to show his support for the Wolves. He was shown during the broadcast, holding up his chain and flashing his grill at the camera. And this wasn’t the first either.

Jefferson showed up to support the Timberwolves during Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals. He watched as Anthony Edwards and co dispatched Steph Curry and the Warriors in a dominant 4-1 series win. And that time, Jefferson didn’t come alone. Alongside him was Vikings quarterback JJ McCarthy. Much like Jefferson tonight, the duo was greeted with raucous applause.

And it’s clear to see why. Since his draft in 2020, Jefferson has been trying his best to get the Vikings their first Super Bowl victory since 1977. He’s quite similar to Anthony Edwards in that regard, who’s been trying to get the NBA title back to Minnesota since the era of the Minneapolis Lakers (yes, it’s the same team!) They walk in the footsteps of the greats that came before them — trying to do what they couldn’t.

But they’ve also shared in history with other Minnesota legends. Take Kevin Garnett and Randle Moss, for instance. Less than a year ago, Ant-Man and Justin collaborated to recreate an iconic photo for Minnesota sports.

Behind Justin Jefferson and Anthony Edwards’ jersey swap mirroring Kevin Garnett and Randy Moss

The legendary image of Kevin Garnett and Randy Moss remains more than just a picture for the Minnesota faithful. It symbolized the rise of the state itself as a major powerhouse in American sports, with two of the greatest athletes of that era playing for Minnesota. The iconic blue for the Minnesota Timberwolves, coupled with the unmistakable purple hues of the Vikings.

Years later, the next generation arrived. And what better way to signal their arrival than with a callback to the trailblazers of the past? Ant-Man and Justin Jefferson appeared on the cover of ESPN. And just like their predecessors, Ant and Jefferson swapped jerseys. Donning bold frames, the stars also switched their weapons of choice — Edwards held a football while Jefferson gripped the NBA ball.

This image was not a rehash, nor was it a simple tribute. No, this was a war cry. It signaled to the world that Minnesota was back, and this time the wolves were hungrier than ever. This picture represented the arrival of a new era of Minnesota dominating the American sports landscape.

While Jefferson is about to enter the offseason with the Vikings, Ant has the chance to temporarily one-up his peer. If the Timberwolves go all the way this year, Anthony Edwards’ ascension to being the face of Minnesota sports will be complete. Not only will he have ended Minnesota’s title drought, he’ll have done it after bouncing two of the greatest hoopers ever. And that’s EXACTLY what makes a legend! But can Ant do it? Let us know what you think!