Javelina Hall of Fame
James Jefferson, from Kingsville, was on the Javelina football team in 1982-85 and also ran track two years for the school. He was inducted into the Javelina Hall of Fame in 2006.
He was a running back and defensive back during is collegiate career.
Jefferson was on the Football News All-America team in 1985 and was selected as the Lone Star Conference defensive back of the year. He was All-LSC first team.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from TAMUK.
Jefferson played for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League in 1986-88 and was signed by the Seattle Seahawks of the NFL in 1989. He played five seasons before going to the British Columbia Lions of the CFL in 1994-95.
He was the AFC player of the week twice in 1990 and was on two Grey Cup championship teams, once in Winnipeg and once in British Columbia. He was selected to the All-CFL squad in 1987 and 1988.
Jefferson’s name is in the Seahawk record book as having the longest kickoff return (97 yards).
After his pro career, Jefferson coached one year for Alabama State and became a scout for the New Orleans Saints in 2000.
He has two daughters, Ashley and Amber and is the son of Sandra Jefferson, director of the University Police Department at TAMUK.
