Charles Jefferson (American football) explained

Charles Jefferson
Number:21
Position:Defensive back
Birth Date:5 May 1957
Birth Place:New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
Height Ft:6
Height In:7
Weight Lb:270
High School:Capitol (Baton Rouge, Louisiana)
College:McNeese State
Draftyear:1979
Draftround:4
Draftpick:105
Pastteams:
Pfr:JeffCh20

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]

Further reading

Notes and References

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