From Knucklehead to leader

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This article was published 06/07/2023 (795 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

On the field, Willie Jefferson is a troublemaker to opposing CFL quarterbacks.

Before the star defensive end made his way up north to dominate the three-down game, he had the same label for things that happened away from the gridiron.

This year marks a decade in the pro football world for Jefferson, as his career kicked off in 2013 as an undrafted free agent with the Houston Texans. That chapter came to a close after six games when Jefferson and two of his teammates were released by the team for reportedly smoking marijuana in a hotel room the night before a road game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

“They had the opportunity of their lives and they just kind of threw it away,” said Texans outside linebacker Brooks Reed at the time.

Three years earlier, a similar incident led to Jefferson — who started his college career as a receiver — being booted off of Baylor University’s football team. The Beaumont, Texas, product then transferred to Stephen F. Austin which is where he switched to the defensive side of the ball.

“It was devastating. I was the first guy in my family, in my close circle of friends, and in my neighbourhood to make it to the professional football level. I had the city on my back and everything was going good and then that happened and it was really just me,” Jefferson said.

“I had friends and family that checked on me, but for the most part, it was just me. I had to check myself and that’s when I decided to put the childish things behind me, start growing up, and try to make a name for myself.”

“I was a completely and totally different person 10 years ago.”

It’s not like Jefferson hurt anyone, and everyone makes questionable decisions in their teens and early 20s. However, not every player would be able to dust themselves off and completely change the narrative. A three-time Grey Cup champion, a four-time CFL all-star, and a Most Outstanding Defensive Player award winner, Jefferson garnered respect in the Canadian game since he got his start in Edmonton in 2014. He’s also shown what kind of person he is, as the Bombers gave him the Ed Kotowich ‘Good Guy Award’ last season. It’s awarded to a player who shows outstanding effort in the community, plays at a high level, and has strong leadership skills.

“I’m a hero to a lot of kids back where I’m from. I had to work for everything I have and I love everything that I have. The journey that I’ve been on, I did get in trouble, but I rose from that and became the person that I am now,” said Jefferson.

“I was a completely and totally different person 10 years ago.”–Willie Jefferson

“If people can see the person that I am, I just want them to know that I wasn’t always like this. I was a troublemaker, I was a knucklehead, I was a hardhead, I was a class clown and all this stuff. But I did grow up and I became something positive.”

It’s hardly a coincidence that the Bombers have reached the Grey Cup, winning two of them, in all three of Jefferson’s seasons in Winnipeg.

“Willie’s an unbelievable teammate. I think he really takes his role in the locker room and the organization seriously,” said quarterback Zach Collaros after Thursday’s walk through practice at IG Field.

“He understands he’s a leader and people look to him. Him, with a few other guys, really set the tone for us every single day in the locker room by bringing that energy and professionalism. I’m sure if you looked at the board in the weight room, he leads the team in check marks and getting stuff done day in and day out. And it’s not just in there. Studying tape, he practices every practice, he plays every game, he’s just a pro. The more people you can have like that in the building the better.”

Jefferson, 32, has shown no sign of slowing down. Through four weeks of play, he’s second in the league with four sacks. The 6-7, 242-pounder will have a chance to add to that total Friday night when the Bombers (3-1) host the Calgary Stampeders (1-2) at IG Field.

“The end is nowhere in sight. As long as I can be a factor in helping my team win games and be a leader, I’m gonna stick around,” said Jefferson.

He’s had some NFL looks over the years. The Buffalo Bills had Jefferson on their roster for two months during the 2014 offseason. After two seasons in Edmonton, Jefferson signed a futures contract with the Washington Commanders but was released during the preseason. A career year with the Bombers in 2019 led to the Miami Dolphins bringing him in for a tryout, but no contract was offered. He’s been re-signing with Winnipeg ever since and now calls the city home as he lives here year-round with his wife Holly and their two daughters, Kelley and Rielley.

“I was a troublemaker, I was a knucklehead, I was a hardhead, I was a class clown and all this stuff. But I did grow up and I became something positive.”–Willie Jefferson

If it wasn’t for what happened with Houston, Jefferson thinks he would have lasted a while in the NFL, but you won’t find him complaining about where these 10 years have led him.

“I don’t think about it at all. I love where I am, I love the story I’ve written so far, and it can only get better from here,” he said.

taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @TaylorAllen31

Taylor Allen
Reporter

Taylor Allen is a sports reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press. Taylor was the Vince Leah intern in the Free Press newsroom twice while earning his joint communications degree/diploma at the University of Winnipeg and Red River College Polytechnic. He signed on full-time in 2019 and mainly covers the Blue Bombers, curling, and basketball. Read more about Taylor.

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