Jacksonville Jaguars facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Jacksonville Jaguars |
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 Current season |
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| Basic info | |||||||||||||
| Established | November 30, 1993 | ||||||||||||
| Colors | Teal, black, gold |
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| Mascot | Jaxson de Ville | ||||||||||||
| Personnel | |||||||||||||
| Owner(s) | Shahid Khan | ||||||||||||
| President | Mark Lamping | ||||||||||||
| General manager | Trent Baalke | ||||||||||||
| Head coach | Doug Pederson | ||||||||||||
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National Football League (1995–present)
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| Championships | |||||||||||||
| League championships: 0 |
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| Conference championships: 0 | |||||||||||||
Division championships: 4
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| Playoff appearances (8) | |||||||||||||
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The Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional American football team. They are based in Jacksonville, Florida. The Jaguars play in the National Football League (NFL). They are part of the American Football Conference (AFC) South division. The team plays its home games at EverBank Stadium.
The Jaguars started in 1995 as a new team, just like the Carolina Panthers. They first played in the AFC Central division. In 2002, they moved to the AFC South. Shahid Khan has owned the team since 2012. He bought it from the first owner, Wayne Weaver.
The Jaguars had great success in their early years. From their second to fifth seasons, they made the playoffs every year. They won two division titles and played in two AFC Championship Games. They were the youngest NFL expansion team to reach a conference championship. They were also the youngest to get the top spot in their conference. Since 2000, they have made the playoffs four times and won two division titles. The Jaguars are one of four NFL teams that have never played in the Super Bowl.
Team History: How the Jaguars Started
Becoming an NFL Team
In 1989, a group called Touchdown Jacksonville! formed. Their goal was to bring an NFL team to Jacksonville. In 1991, the NFL decided to add two new teams. Jacksonville became one of five finalists in 1994. The other cities were Charlotte, St. Louis, Baltimore, and Memphis.
Charlotte got the first team, the Carolina Panthers, in October 1993. The decision for the second team was delayed. Many thought St. Louis would get it. But the NFL owners voted 26–2 for Jacksonville. For their first season in 1995, the Jaguars picked players in the 1995 NFL expansion draft. They took turns picking players with the Panthers from other teams.
The Tom Coughlin Era (1995–2002)
Tom Coughlin became the Jaguars' first head coach on February 21, 1994. In the 1995 NFL draft, their first pick was Tony Boselli. He was an offensive tackle from USC and later joined the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
On September 3, 1995, the Jaguars played their first regular season game. They lost 10–3 to the Houston Oilers. In their second game, Randy Jordan scored the team's first touchdown. It was a 71-yard catch from quarterback Steve Beuerlein. The Jaguars lost their first four games. They then won their first game against the Oilers, 17–16. They finished their first season with a 4–12 record.
In 1996, the Jaguars drafted Kevin Hardy. With Mark Brunell as quarterback, the team got much better. They won five games in a row to finish 9–7. They made the playoffs for the first time! Wide receivers Keenan McCardell and Jimmy Smith each gained over 1,000 yards. The Jaguars won their first playoff game, beating the Buffalo Bills 30–27. They then beat the Denver Broncos 30–27. Their amazing run ended in the AFC Championship, losing to the New England Patriots 20–6.
The 1997 season saw the team go 11–5. They made the playoffs again but lost to the Denver Broncos. In 1998, they won their first division title with an 11–5 record. Fred Taylor became their first player to rush for over 1,000 yards. They beat the New England Patriots in the playoffs. In 1999, the Jaguars had their best season ever, going 14–2. They crushed the Miami Dolphins 62–7 in the playoffs. This was Dan Marino's last game. Their season ended in the AFC Championship, losing to the Tennessee Titans. The Titans were the only team to beat them that year. After missing the playoffs in 2000 and 2001, Coach Coughlin was fired in 2002.
The Jack Del Rio Years (2003–2011)
Jack Del Rio became the Jaguars' second head coach in 2003. They drafted quarterback Byron Leftwich. The team went 5–11 in 2003. Fred Taylor rushed for over 1,500 yards, which was a highlight. In 2005, Del Rio led the team back to the playoffs with a 12–4 record. They lost to the New England Patriots in the Wild Card Round.
In 2007, the team improved to 11–5 and returned to the playoffs. They beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 31–29. But they lost to the New England Patriots in the next round. The team struggled in the following years. In 2011, Del Rio was fired after a 3–8 start.
Coaching Changes and Struggles (2012–2021)
Mike Mularkey coached the Jaguars in 2012. The team had its worst season at the time, going 2–14. Mularkey was fired after one year.
Gus Bradley became head coach in 2013. The team continued to struggle, going 4–12. In 2014, they drafted quarterback Blake Bortles. The team finished 3–13. In 2015, Bortles had a great season, throwing for 4,428 yards and 35 touchdowns. But the team still went 5–11. Bradley was fired during the 2016 season.
Doug Marrone took over as head coach in 2017. The team had a strong defense and won the AFC South with a 10–6 record. This was their first division title since 1999. They made the playoffs for the first time in ten years. They beat the Bills and Steelers in the playoffs. They reached the AFC Championship but lost a close game to the New England Patriots, 24–20.
The Jaguars couldn't keep up their success in 2018, going 5–11. In 2019, they signed Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles. But he got hurt early in the season. Rookie quarterback Gardner Minshew played most of the year. The 2020 season was the worst in team history, with a 1–15 record. Marrone was fired after the season.
In 2021, Urban Meyer was hired as head coach. The team drafted quarterback Trevor Lawrence with the top pick. Meyer was fired after a 2–11 start.
The Doug Pederson Era (2022–Present)
Before the 2022 season, the Jaguars hired Doug Pederson. He had won a Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles. The team quickly improved, finishing 9–8 and winning their division. They had an amazing comeback win against the Los Angeles Chargers in the Wild Card Round. They were down 27–0 but won 31–30! Their season ended with a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. In 2023, the Jaguars again finished 9–8 but missed the playoffs.
Team Look: Logos and Uniforms
Jaguars Logos Over Time
When the Jaguars were first announced, their logo was a gold leaping jaguar. This caused some issues with Jaguar the car company. They thought the logo looked too similar to theirs. The team and car company worked out a deal. The Jaguars agreed to change their logo.
The new logo was a snarling jaguar head with a teal tongue. The owner, Wayne Weaver, joked that the teal tongue came from "feeding Panthers to our Jaguars." This was a playful jab at the Carolina Panthers, who started at the same time. At the first preseason game, fans even got teal candies to turn their tongues teal!
In 2009, the team simplified its look. They removed some older jaguar logos and wordmarks. In 2013, new owner Shahid Khan introduced a new logo. It was a "fiercer" and more realistic jaguar head. A new secondary logo also included the nickname "Jags" inside a shield shape. This was a nod to Jacksonville's military community. Since 2013, gold has been used more in the team's colors.
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Jaguars wordmark logo (1995–1998)
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Jaguars wordmark logo (1999–2008)
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Jaguars wordmark logo (2009–2012)
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Jaguars wordmark logo (2013–present)
Jaguars Uniform Styles
For many years, the Jaguars wore their white jerseys at home early in the season. This was because of the hot weather in Jacksonville. It made opponents wear their dark jerseys, which are hotter.
Early Uniforms (1995–2001)
After the logo change, the uniforms had an all-black helmet. The pants were white with teal, black, and gold stripes. The home jersey was teal with white numbers. The away jersey was white with teal numbers. Both had a black collar. A prowling jaguar was on each sleeve. The Jaguars were the first NFL team to have two-tone borders on their numbers. They were also the first to show a complex logo on the sleeve. Later, the number font changed, and two stripes were added to the sleeves.
Adding Black (2002–2008)
In 2002, the team added a black alternate jersey and black pants. Fans liked the extra black. So, in 2004, the Jaguars formally changed their uniforms. The white away jerseys changed from teal numbers to black numbers with teal and gold trim. The black pants also changed. The teal stripes were replaced with the jaguar logo on each hip. Gold also started to look more beige.
Simplified Look (2009–2012)
New uniforms were shown in 2009. The owner wanted a "cleaner" look. The new uniforms were simpler. The crawling jaguar was removed. Numbers changed to a block font with a single border. A "Jaguars" wordmark was added to the chest. Thin stripes were added to the sides of the jerseys and pants. The team's main colors became teal and black, with gold only in the logo. The helmets also changed. They were black but sparkled with a teal color when light hit them. In 2012, the black jersey became the main home uniform again.
Unique Helmets (2013–2017)
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In 2013, Nike designed new uniforms. The home jersey was black with white numbers. The road jersey was white with teal numbers. The alternate jersey was teal with black numbers. All jerseys had a stripe around the neck and shoulder patches that looked like claw marks. A new shield logo was added to honor Jacksonville's military.
The helmet was very unique. It was glossy gold in the back and faded to matte black in the front. This was the first helmet of its kind in the NFL. The uniform set included black and white pants with the Jaguars logo. In 2015, the team added an all-gold alternate uniform for special games.
Current Look (2018–Present)
In 2018, the Jaguars changed their uniforms again. They went back to an all-black glossy helmet. Many complicated details were removed. For the first time, there were no borders on the jersey numbers. The pants had no stripes or team logo, only NFL and Nike logos. Gold was only used in the jaguar logo. The black jersey is the main home uniform. The teal jersey is an alternate. They also added alternate teal pants for the first time.
In 2019, the Jaguars started wearing solid black or white socks. In 2020, they wore an all-teal uniform for the first time. In 2021, the team announced that teal jerseys would be their main home color again. In 2024, the Jaguars showed off throwback teal "Prowler" uniforms. They also unveiled a new white alternate helmet.
Home Field: EverBank Stadium
EverBank Stadium is located on the north bank of the St. Johns River. It has been the Jaguars' home since 1995. The stadium can hold 67,814 fans. More seats are added for special games like the Florida–Georgia Game and the Gator Bowl.
The stadium hosted Super Bowl XXXIX in 2005. It has also hosted five Jaguars playoff games, including the 1999 AFC Championship Game.
The stadium has had different names over the years. It was Jacksonville Municipal Stadium (1995–1997, 2006–2009) and Alltel Stadium (1997–2006). EverBank bought the naming rights in 2010. Before the 2018 season, it was renamed TIAA Bank Field.
In 2014, the stadium got a big upgrade. New scoreboards, pools, and special seating were added. The scoreboards are 60 feet high and 362 feet long. They are the world's largest video boards! Two 25-foot by 12-foot pools were put in the north end zone. The upgrades cost $63 million. Owner Shahid Khan helped pay $20 million of this cost.
Team Rivalries
The Jaguars have main rivalries with the other three teams in the AFC South. These are the Indianapolis Colts, Houston Texans, and Tennessee Titans. They also have local rivalries with the other Florida teams: the Miami Dolphins and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Jaguars, Dolphins, and Buccaneers often play each other in preseason games. In the past, the Jaguars had a rivalry with the Pittsburgh Steelers. This was when both teams were often in the playoffs.
Divisional Rivals
Battles with the Indianapolis Colts
The rivalry between the Jaguars and Indianapolis Colts is one of the most exciting in the AFC South. They have been division rivals since 2002. Even when the Jaguars struggled, they often managed to beat the Colts. Since 2015, the Jaguars have had a strong home winning streak against the Colts.
Clashes with the Houston Texans
The Jaguars also have a division rivalry with the Houston Texans. Both teams are among the newest in the league. They had many tough games, especially when the Jaguars had their strong "Sacksonville" defense. The Texans currently lead the all-time series against the Jaguars.
History with the Tennessee Titans
The Jaguars' rivalry with the Tennessee Titans goes back to their first season in 1995. Back then, the Titans were called the Houston Oilers. The Jaguars got their first franchise win against the Oilers in 1995. The rivalry grew in the late 1990s. Both teams were often at the top of the AFC Central division. In 1999, the Jaguars had a 14–2 record, but both losses were to Tennessee. The two teams met in the AFC Championship Game that year. Tennessee beat Jacksonville for the third time that season. The rivalry continued when both teams moved to the new AFC South in 2002.
Conference Rivals
Florida Showdowns: Miami Dolphins
The Jaguars have a smaller rivalry with the Miami Dolphins. Both are the only AFC teams in Florida. They first played in 1998. They met in the 1999 AFC Divisional Round. This was the last game for Dolphins' Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino. The Jaguars won that game in a huge 62–7 blowout. In 2021, the Jaguars had a big upset win against the Dolphins in London. The teams are tied 5-5 in all-time games.
Battles with the Buffalo Bills
A new rivalry started between the Jaguars and the Buffalo Bills. This happened after former Bills coach Doug Marrone became the Jaguars' head coach. Their first game was in London in 2015, which the Jaguars won. A very important game was a low-scoring playoff game in 2017. The Jaguars won 10–3. This was the Bills' first playoff game in 17 seasons. The Jaguars also gave Buffalo their first playoff loss in their stadium in 1996. The Jaguars currently lead the series 10–9.
Team Records and Achievements
Recent Season Results
Here are the Jaguars' results for their last five seasons. This table shows regular season wins and losses.
| Super Bowl champions | Conference champions | Division champions | Wild Card berth |
| Season | Team | League | Conference | Division | Regular season | Playoff Results | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Finish | Wins | Losses | Ties | ||||||
| 2019 | 2019 | NFL | AFC | South | 4th | 6 | 10 | 0 | — |
| 2020 | 2020 | NFL | AFC | South | 4th | 1 | 15 | 0 | — |
| 2021 | 2021 | NFL | AFC | South | 4th | 3 | 14 | 0 | — |
| 2022 | 2022 | NFL | AFC | South | 1st | 9 | 8 | 0 | Won Wild Card Playoffs (Chargers) 31–30 Lost Divisional Playoffs (Chiefs) 27–20 |
| 2023 | 2023 | NFL | AFC | South | 2nd | 9 | 8 | 0 | — |
Famous Players and Coaches
Pro Football Hall of Fame
Only one Jacksonville Jaguar has been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
| Jacksonville Jaguars in the Pro Football Hall of Fame | ||||
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| Players | ||||
| No. | Player | Position | Seasons | Inducted |
| 71 | Tony Boselli | OT | 1995–2001 | 2022 |
Pride of the Jaguars
The "Pride of the Jaguars" is like a Hall of Fame for the team. It honors important players and people. It was started in 2006. Tony Boselli was the first player added.
In 2012, team owner Wayne Weaver and his wife Delores were added. Fred Taylor was added in 2012. Longtime quarterback Mark Brunell joined in 2013. Wide receiver Jimmy Smith was added in 2016. In 2024, former head coach Tom Coughlin was also inducted.
| Pride of the Jaguars | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Player | Position | Seasons | Inducted |
| 71 | Tony Boselli | OT | 1995–2001 | 2006 |
| — | Wayne and Delores Weaver | Owners | 1993–2011 | 2012 |
| 28 | Fred Taylor | RB | 1998–2008 | 2012 |
| 8 | Mark Brunell | QB | 1995–2003 | 2013 |
| 82 | Jimmy Smith | WR | 1995–2005 | 2016 |
| — | Tom Coughlin | HC | 1995–2002 | 2024 |
Retired Jersey Numbers
On October 9, 2022, the Jaguars retired Tony Boselli's number 71. This means no other player on the team will wear that number. It was the first number ever retired by the team.
| Jacksonville Jaguars retired numbers | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Player | Position | Seasons | Retired | References |
| 71 | Tony Boselli | OT | 1995–2001 | October 9, 2022 | |
The Jaguars also do not reissue numbers 8, 28, or 82. These numbers were worn by Mark Brunell, Fred Taylor, and Jimmy Smith.
Head Coaches of the Jaguars
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The Jaguars have had nine head coaches in their history. Tom Coughlin was the first coach. He coached from 1995 to 2002. Jack Del Rio coached the longest, from 2003 to 2011. The current head coach is Doug Pederson. He was hired on February 3, 2022.
Team Culture and Community
Meet Jaxson de Ville: The Mascot
Since 1996, Jaxson de Ville has been the Jaguars' mascot. Jaxson entertains fans with his fun actions during games. He is known for his exciting entrances. He has bungee jumped, slid from the scoreboard, and even parachuted into the stadium!
Jaxson's actions caused some new rules for NFL mascots in 1998. He had to calm down a bit. But he still makes games exciting. Jaxson's first appearance was on August 18, 1996. Curtis Dvorak played Jaxson until he retired in 2015.
The Jacksonville Roar: Cheerleaders
The Jacksonville Roar is the professional cheerleading squad for the Jaguars. They started in 1995, the team's first year. They perform routines during home games.
Besides performing, the cheerleaders also help the community. They attend events and sign autographs. They also travel with NFL tours to entertain American service members around the world.
Giving Back: Community Work
The Jacksonville Jaguars Foundation was created in 1994. Since then, it has given over $20 million to help the community. The Foundation supports programs like Honor Rows and NFL Play 60. It also helps veterans and works to prevent tobacco use. Each year, the Foundation gives over $1 million to groups that help young people and families in need.
The Jaguars' first head coach, Tom Coughlin, started his own charity in 1996. The Tom Coughlin Jay Fund Foundation helps young cancer patients and their families. This charity stayed in Jacksonville even after Coughlin left the team.
Jaguars on the Air: Broadcast Media
Radio Broadcasts
From 1995 to 2013, WOKV was the main radio station for the Jaguars. Since 2014, the team's games are broadcast on WJXL and WJXL-FM (1010 AM and 92.5 FM). They are also on 99.9 Gator Country.
Frank Frangie is the play-by-play announcer. Former Jaguars players Tony Boselli and Jeff Lageman provide commentary.
Television Broadcasts
WJAX-TV or WFOX-TV show all preseason games. They also show regular season games that are on national TV, like ESPN or NFL Network.
Images for kids
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Jaguars' first home game in 1995
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Jaguars away in Pittsburgh in 2005
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Jaguars home game in 2011
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Jaguars home game in 2013
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Pride of the Jaguars display in EverBank Stadium
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Jaxson de Ville with American Idol season 6 finalist Phil Stacey
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Doug Pederson is the current head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars since 2022
