(Above) “I know God has my back, and that’s all I need when it comes down to it,” says Jackson Jeffcoat

After rotating through a few NFL teams and not finding the right fit, defensive end Jackson Jeffcoat was signed by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on February 21, 2017. He’s worked hard and has so far helped his team win two Grey Cups, in 2019 and 2021.

Coming from the football-crazy state of Texas, he was pleasantly surprised by the high calibre of fans in his new Canadian home.

“I enjoy it here,” Jackson comments. “It’s a lot of fun and the fans are great—Winnipeg knows what’s going on! It may not be its own religion up here like it is in Texas, but the Prairie cities love their football.”

Staying Humble

Jackson’s dad, Jim Jeffcoat, played the same position for the Dallas Cowboys in the 1980s and early ’90s. Jackson admits it took an adjustment period for his attitude to come around to appreciate the fact that he himself was a CFL player, not an NFL player.

“After my second year here, I tried out with the Cincinnati Bengals, but I wasn’t getting calls back,” he says. “So, I switched agents to try to get some looks, but I didn’t get any. I then just decided I was going to enjoy what I’m doing here. The thief of joy is not embracing where you are. I found a good community here in Winnipeg and decided it’s where I’m supposed to be. At that point, my game started getting better!”

Jackson was assigned number 94 when he joined the team. He could have worn his father’s number 77, but Jim had never wanted Jackson to feel he was living in his father’s shadow.

“My dad said to me, ‘I’m Jim Jeffcoat, and you’re Jackson Jeffcoat,’ ” he says. “He told me to be my own person, because things that happen to me now on the field where I play are totally different than whatever happened to him during his games.”

Jackson observes that the style of play in the CFL is faster and actually more entertaining to watch than the NFL.

“It’s not a cakewalk on that field, it’s not even close!” he comments. “There’s a lot of talent in Canada. Coming here was a real learning curve for me. Sure, I did my thing in the States but when I got here, I realized I had more to learn. You have to be humble and get better every day.”

“Love One Another”

He also strives to be a better Christian every day. A Bible verse that has helped him through the ups and downs of football life is Jeremiah 29:11—“ ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’ ”

"That’s such a great verse,” Jackson says. “Some people see it as saying that God always has nothing but good plans for us, but in context, He was talking to people who were about to be exiled from their homeland. It’s not saying that you are going to get that reward right now. It might not come until later but in the meantime, you can grin and bear it, remembering His promise. That’s helped me through the hard times in life, remembering negative things are temporary. Let’s be positive in our mindset.”

Jackson is a faithful member of the Bombers Chapel Leadership Group. He accepts the fact that this means his teammates are watching his example of how to act and react at all times.

“Being a role model can be hard,” he says, “but I acknowledge that and embrace the challenge. The big thing is that I know God has my back, and that’s all I need when it comes down to it. I know God has a reason I am here, that there’s someone I am supposed to reach.”

He welcomes being included in his team’s Christian brotherhood.

“At the end of chapel, we all shake hands and hug,” he says. “That’s special because it’s so important that we ‘love one another.’ I enjoy my alone time, too, but I appreciate being with people who care about each other as a person, who care not just how we’re doing on the field but also what we’re doing with our souls.”

No Excuses

Lorne Korol, chaplain for the Bombers, appreciates Jackson’s contribution to the chapel.

“I am really blessed to have Jackson here,” he says. “It has been a real pleasure working with him and watching him grow in his faith. I look forward to seeing what God has in store for Jackson as he has become an emerging leader for the Bombers both on and off the field.”

Jackson leads by example, striving to improve in all facets of his life. He is grateful that he has an outstanding example to follow.

“My dad taught me that when it’s all said and done, whether you’re training, working or doing whatever, there’s always someone working harder than you,” he says. “Make no excuses. Those you are playing against don’t care about any hardships you’ve got going on. You have to work harder. The past accomplishments don’t matter. Remembering that has helped me to get better each year. Our team is working like we have never won the Grey Cup before, because this new group hasn’t. Yet.”

Photos: Courtesy of Winnipeg Blue Bombers