EAGAN, Minn. – Justin Jefferson has been named the Korey Stringer Media Good Guy for the second time.

Ahead of his post-practice press conference, the Vikings receiver was surprised by Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA) Vice President Dane Mizutani, who presented Jefferson with a Minnesota-shaped plaque featuring a silhouette of Stringer and the No. 18 to honor "Jets."

"We all know Justin Jefferson is a very, very good football player," Mizutani said, "but I think what we've learned over the course of working with him is that he's really, really good at this part of the job, too. It's been a roller coaster of a year. He's the one who has to stand up here every week, answer a lot of the same questions that we ask him over and over again. I know I speak on behalf of the whole beat when I say we appreciate the respect that you've shown us.

"We appreciate it. We don't take it for granted," Mizutani continued. "The voting reflected that this year [for the] Korey Stringer Media Good Guy Award. You won in a landslide, man. I think it's very well deserved.

"I didn't get the privilege of covering Korey Stringer, but from those who did and the stories I've heard, I think he'd be really proud that you're a two-time recipient of the award named in his honor," he added.

Jefferson, who also received the award following the 2021 campaign, flashed a genuine grin in response to the recognition.

"Thank you, man. I appreciate that. Thank y'all," Jefferson told the beat reporters. "Shout-out Korey for the person that he was, for being the player and the leader that he was. This is definitely something special to me. I understand y'all's jobs.

"I understand y'all's roles are to ask those difficult questions and questions we don't always want to come up here to answer," Jefferson chuckled. "But especially this year, being a difficult year, understanding your jobs and understanding it's a part of the game, it's a part of my job, and still coming here with a smile on my face and still answering questions to my fullest ability. So, I appreciate this award."

Jefferson is the fifth receiver to win the Vikings award, joining Koren Robinson (2005), Bobby Wade (2008), Percy Harvin (2011) and Adam Thielen (2017). He is the fourth Viking to receive the honor two times. Daunte Culpepper (2003-04), Ben Leber (2007, 2010) and Captain Munnerlyn (2015-16) also were recognized twice during their careers in Purple.

Jefferson's name will be added to displays in the TCO Performance Center press conference room and players' lounge.

Below is the full list of Korey Stringer Media Good Guy recipients:

2001 TE Byron Chamberlain

2002 C Matt Birk

2003 QB Daunte Culpepper

2004 QB Daunte Culpepper

2005 WR Koren Robinson

2006 CB Antoine Winfield

2007 LB Ben Leber

2008 WR Bobby Wade

2009 TE Visanthe Shiancoe

2010 LB Ben Leber

2011 WR Percy Harvin

2012 LB Chad Greenway

2013 DT Kevin Williams

2014 DE Brian Robison

2015 CB Captain Munnerlyn

2016 CB Captain Munnerlyn

2017 WR Adam Thielen

2018 RB Latavius Murray

2019 S Anthony Harris

2020 RB Dalvin Cook

2021 WR Justin Jefferson

2022 CB Patrick Peterson

2023 QB Kirk Cousins

2024 S Joshua Metellus

2025 WR Justin Jefferson