Charles Jefferson (American football)

Last updated

Charles Jefferson
No. 21
Position: Defensive back
Personal information
Born: (1957-05-05) May 5, 1957 (age 67)
New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
Height:6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Weight:270 lb (122 kg)
Career information
High school: Capitol (Baton Rouge, Louisiana)
College: McNeese State
NFL draft: 1979  / Round: 4 / Pick: 105
Career history
Player stats at PFR

Charles Ray Jefferson (born May 5, 1957) is a former American football defensive back who played for the Houston Oilers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at McNeese State University. [1]

Jefferson was born on May 5, 1957, in New Orleans, Louisiana. [2] He attended Capitol High School and is one of three of their alumni to play in the NFL. [3] He began attending McNeese State University in 1975. [4] As a sophomore in 1976, Jefferson helped McNeese win their first Southland Conference championship while reaching the Independence Bowl. [5] He was the team leader and conference leader with seven interceptions on the season and placed seventh in the nation in that category, being a unanimous first-team choice on the all-conference team. [4] [5] He also received selection to the Louisiana Sports Writers Association All-Louisiana team. [6]

Jefferson again led McNeese in interceptions in 1977 and was named second-team all-conference. [5] [7] As a senior, he led the team in interceptions, with six, for the third straight year and also led the conference in that category, being a unanimous first-team All-Southland choice. [5] [8] He ended his collegiate career with 19 interceptions, which ranked second in school history and in the top 10 all-time in state history as of 2014. [5]

Selected by the Denver Broncos in the fourth round (105th overall) of the 1979 NFL draft, Jefferson was placed on injured reserve before the season began. [9] He was waived in October and claimed off waivers by the Houston Oilers. [10] He appeared in five regular season games as a backup and later played in the team's two playoff games, for seven combined appearances in the 1979 season. [2] He became among the first 10 NFL alumni in McNeese history. [11] Jefferson was placed on injured reserve to begin the 1980 season. [12] He was waived prior to the 1981 season. [13]

Jefferson was named in a poll to the Southland Conference 1970s All-Decade team in 2013 and one year later was inducted into the McNeese State Hall of Fame. [5] He wrote a book on his life, titled Memoirs: The Legacy of a Professional Football Player, in 2019. [14]

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References

  1. ↑ "Charles Jefferson, DB". NFL.com. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  2. 1 2 "Charles Jefferson Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com .
  3. ↑ "Capitol (Baton Rouge, LA) Alumni Pro Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com .
  4. 1 2 "Four Cowboys, Three 'Dogs on All-SLC". The Shreveport Journal . December 1, 1976. p. 27 – via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Charles Jefferson". McNeese Cowboys.
  6. ↑ McDonald, Dan (January 26, 1977). "Duhe, Ryckman Pace All-Louisiana Grid Team". The Crowley Post-Signal . p. 11 – via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  7. ↑ "Three Cajuns All-SLC". Abbeville Meridional . December 5, 1977. p. 20 – via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  8. ↑ "McCann, six other Bulldogs all-SLC". The Times . December 3, 1978. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  9. ↑ "transactions". Grand Junction Daily Sentinel . August 15, 1979. p. 26 – via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  10. ↑ "Oilers claim rookie defender Jefferson". El Paso Herald-Post . United Press International. October 27, 1979. p. 13 – via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  11. ↑ "McNeese St. Players/Alumni". Pro-Football-Reference.com .
  12. ↑ "Transactions". Victoria Advocate . September 2, 1980. p. 14 – via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  13. ↑ "Oilers waive pair, extend vet's pact". Fort Worth Star-Telegram . Associated Press. August 9, 1981. p. 60 – via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  14. ↑ "Book Talk with Pro Football Player Charles Jefferson". Country Roads Magazine. January 26, 2020.

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