Charles Jefferson (American football)

{{Short description|American football player (born 1957)}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}

{{Infobox NFL biography

| name = Charles Jefferson

| number = 21

| position = Defensive back

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1957|5|5}}

| 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 =

• Denver Broncos ({{NFL Year|1979}})
• Houston Oilers (1979–{{NFL Year|1980}})

| 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.{{Cite web |title=Charles Jefferson, DB |url=https://www.nfl.com/players/charles-jefferson/ |access-date=February 15, 2024 |work=NFL.com}}

Jefferson was born on May 5, 1957, in New Orleans, Louisiana.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/J/JeffCh20.htm|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|title=Charles Jefferson Stats}} He attended Capitol High School and is one of three of their alumni to play in the NFL.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/schools/high_schools.cgi?id=93bd6d68|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|title=Capitol (Baton Rouge, LA) Alumni Pro Stats}} He began attending McNeese State University in 1975.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-shreveport-journal/141026770/|newspaper=The Shreveport Journal|via=Newspapers.com|date=December 1, 1976|page=27|title=Four Cowboys, Three 'Dogs on All-SLC}} {{Open access}} As a sophomore in 1976, Jefferson helped McNeese win their first Southland Conference championship while reaching the Independence Bowl.{{Cite web|url=https://mcneesesports.com/honors/hall-of-fame/charles-jefferson/141|publisher=McNeese Cowboys|title=Charles Jefferson}} 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. He also received selection to the Louisiana Sports Writers Association All-Louisiana team.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-crowley-post-signal/141027317/|newspaper=The Crowley Post-Signal|via=Newspapers.com|date=January 26, 1977|page=11|author=McDonald, Dan|title=Duhe, Ryckman Pace All-Louisiana Grid Team}} {{Open access}}

Jefferson again led McNeese in interceptions in 1977 and was named second-team all-conference.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/abbeville-meridional/141027520/|newspaper=Abbeville Meridional|via=Newspapers.com|date=December 5, 1977|page=20|title=Three Cajuns All-SLC}} {{Open access}} 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.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times/141027731/|newspaper=The Times|via=Newspapers.com|date=December 3, 1978|page=10|title=McCann, six other Bulldogs all-SLC}} {{Open access}} 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.

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.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-sentinel/141028152/|newspaper=Grand Junction Daily Sentinel|via=Newspapers.com|date=August 15, 1979|page=26|title=transactions}} {{Open access}} He was waived in October and claimed off waivers by the Houston Oilers.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/el-paso-herald-post/141028352/|newspaper=El Paso Herald-Post|via=Newspapers.com|date=October 27, 1979|page=13|title=Oilers claim rookie defender Jefferson|agency=United Press International}} {{Open access}} 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. He became among the first 10 NFL alumni in McNeese history.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/schools/mcneesest/|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|title=McNeese St. Players/Alumni}} Jefferson was placed on injured reserve to begin the 1980 season.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/victoria-advocate/141028534/|newspaper=Victoria Advocate|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 2, 1980|page=14|title=Transactions}} {{Open access}} He was waived prior to the 1981 season.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-worth-star-telegram/141028988/|newspaper=Fort Worth Star-Telegram|via=Newspapers.com|date=August 9, 1981|page=60|title=Oilers waive pair, extend vet's pact|agency=Associated Press}} {{Open access}}

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. He wrote a book on his life, titled Memoirs: The Legacy of a Professional Football Player, in 2019.{{Cite web|url=https://countryroadsmagazine.com/events/book-talk-with-pro-football-player-charles-jefferson/|website=Country Roads Magazine|title=Book Talk with Pro Football Player Charles Jefferson|date=January 26, 2020}}