Anthony Edwards and Justin Jefferson Team Up to Recreate an Iconic Photo

The young Timberwolves and Vikings stars have joined up to recreate the iconic Garnett and Moss jersey swap photo

Even after Labor Day, the summer of Ant is still going strong, folks. Anthony Edwards kicked off August by adding an Olympic gold medal to his already impressive resume. But just when you thought he might take a post-Paris breather, the young buck stirred up some controversy with his comments about the lack of skill in the NBA’s early days. As expected, the basketball world was quick to react, with NBA legends taking issue with his words. But now, it seems like Ant is shifting gears by paying homage to one of the game’s greatest players in a way that’s sure to excite Minnesota sports fans.

Edwards is teaming up with Minnesota Vikings star Justin Jefferson to recreate an iconic photo that’s deeply ingrained in Minnesota sports history. Flashback to the year 2000: two of Minnesota’s biggest sports icons, Kevin Garnett and Randy Moss, posed for a now-legendary photo shoot for Sports Illustrated for Kids. In the photo, the Timberwolves’ intense, trash-talking young star and the Vikings’ unstoppable deep threat swapped jerseys, creating an image that captured the spirit of two athletes who had reignited a struggling Minnesota sports scene.

Back then, KG had pulled the Timberwolves out of the NBA’s basement and into the playoffs. Sure, those early playoff runs ended in seven straight first-round exits, but Garnett’s relentless drive eventually led the Wolves to the Western Conference Finals. On the football field, Moss was rewriting the record books and making Vikings games must-see TV with his jaw-dropping catches and lightning speed.

Fast forward to today, and Minnesota sports fans find themselves with a similar sense of hope. After years of ups and downs, two new stars have emerged—Anthony Edwards and Justin Jefferson—bringing back that same excitement to the Twin Cities. And just like Garnett and Moss before them, they’re about to create a memorable moment of their own.

Edwards, who’s already matched Garnett’s greatest accomplishment by leading the Wolves to the Western Conference Finals, is being hyped as the future face of the NBA. In just his fourth year, he’s shown flashes of brilliance that have Wolves fans dreaming of championship banners. The sky’s the limit for Ant, and he’s only getting started.

Then there’s Justin Jefferson, who has brought that same level of excitement to the Vikings. Every time the ball is thrown his way, you know something spectacular could happen. While he might not have the raw speed of Randy Moss, Jefferson’s already packed his highlight reel with incredible catches. Even though the Vikings are struggling right now, Jefferson is the kind of player who gives fans a reason to tune in every Sunday.

So, it’s only fitting that Edwards and Jefferson are recreating the classic Garnett-Moss photo. A sneak peek of the new image has already hit Twitter, and it’s brimming with swagger. In the picture, Ant is rocking a purple Vikings jersey with Jefferson’s number 18, football in hand. Jefferson, meanwhile, has his back to the camera, but he’s clearly wearing a throwback black Timberwolves jersey—Ant’s number 5, of course. It’s a modern twist on a classic image, and you can bet this photo will be plastered on walls all over Minnesota.

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. If Edwards and Jefferson want to surpass Garnett and Moss in Minnesota sports lore, they’ve got some work to do. KG played 14 seasons with the Timberwolves, leading the team to eight playoff appearances, earning 10 All-Star selections, and winning an MVP award in 2004. He’s the franchise leader in points, rebounds, assists, blocks, and steals—a tough résumé to beat.

Randy Moss? He played eight seasons with the Vikings, racking up 92 touchdown catches and over 9,000 yards. He set the NFL rookie record with 17 touchdown receptions in his first season and was a five-time Pro Bowler. Moss wasn’t just a player; he was a phenomenon.

Now, it’s up to Edwards and Jefferson to see if they can eclipse those legends. Personally, I think Jefferson will have a tough time overtaking Moss. The Vikings are in a bit of a downturn, and the NFL is brutal—injuries can derail even the most promising careers. Jefferson’s already missed some time due to injury, and in a league where players are constantly being traded or cut, it’s hard to predict how his career as a Viking will unfold.

Edwards, on the other hand, has all the makings of an all-time NBA great. He’s got the talent, the charisma, and the drive to be the face of the league. If the Timberwolves continue their upward trajectory, Ant could very well bring home multiple NBA titles. Even one championship would likely vault him ahead of Garnett as the greatest Timberwolf of all time.

But hey, that’s what makes sports so fun, right? We can debate and speculate all we want, but the ultimate outcome is still up in the air. One thing’s for sure: this upcoming photo will be a treat for Minnesota sports fans. And while we could just stop at the comparisons, where’s the fun in that? Let’s keep the debate going. Who do you think will go down as the greatest Wolves/Vikings duo in history—Garnett and Moss, or Edwards and Jefferson? Cast your vote in the poll below!