Lindsey Young
Eagan, Minn.Heeeeeere's Johnny!
No, not Johnny Carson, but the Vikings have added a punter who does share the iconic show host's first name.
Minnesota agreed to terms with Johnny Hekker, the team announced Tuesday.
Hekker, 36, is a four-time Associated Press First-Team All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowler. He most recently spent the 2025 campaign with the Titans, punting 78 times for 3,653 yards with a net average of 40.3 per boot.
Hekker spent the first 10 seasons of his pro career with the Rams, where he overlapped with Vikings Special Teams Coordinator Matt Daniels who both teamed with Hekker (2012-13) and later coached him (2018-19).
Over 14 NFL seasons, Hekker has never missed a game.
Here are five things to know about the Vikings newest punter:
1. Oregon State alum
A native of Redmond, Washington, Hekker remained in the Pacific Northwest for college, attending Oregon State from 2008-11.
He was named the Sun Bowl Special Teams MVP as a rookie after averaging 45 yards on 10 punts, including boots of 52 and 57 yards in the fourth quarter of a scrappy 3-0 defeat of Pittsburgh.
In 2011, Hekker set a single-game school record with a 52.5-yard average on six punts.
Perhaps his most memorable punt occurred in 2010 when he kicked a 74-yarder against USC.
2. Known for the 'banana punt'
Hekker has become well-known around the league for his execution of fake punts but also for the "banana punt," which is a trick kick that's been adapted from Australian rules football.
Hekker turns the ball sideways upon dropping it, which allows it to curve right despite initially appearing that it will go left.
3. Flew with the Blue Angels
Hekker had the opportunity in 2014 tofly with the Blue Angels, the U.S. Navy's flight demonstration squadron.
In an interview about the experience in 2019, Hekker likened the experience to "a roller coaster times 100."
"It's unbelievable. It was wild," Hekkertold the Ramsinternal media. "It was really fun. That was one of the most extreme things I've ever done. I fully expected to throw up or black out.
"I didn't throw up," he said. "I was going to throw up, but the pilot realized I was going to throw up and asked me, 'Hey, we could do some more maneuvers, or we could start heading back.' I was like, 'I think heading back would be good.' "
4. Special Olympics supporter
Hekker is deeply committed to Special Olympics programming and its athletes, having now volunteered for and supported the organization for 20 years. The punter had the opportunity as a freshman in college to do a service project and selected Special Olympics, not knowing at the time how it would chase his life.
"From the first event I volunteered at, I was hooked,"Hekker said last yearwhile representing Special Olympics for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative. "I just saw the infectious spirit of the athletes and the level of competition, sportsmanship and the encouragement they have for one another."
Hekker also served on the board forTeam Activities for Special Kids (TASK), which is a similarly minded organization that provides athletic opportunities for young people with special needs.
5. A specialist in the kitchen
Hekker has hobbies and skills outside the world of football, as well.
He once chatted withRams Insider Magazineabout his love for cooking, which he got into because of his older brother's affinity for the craft.
"He was in college and cooking for himself a lot, and I thought it was cool," Hekker said. "He cooked different cuisines from different things. I've always been a huge fan of the Cooking Channel and The Food Network."
As for his favorite show? Hekker says it's Chopped.
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