Kevin Jefferson

{{Infobox NFL biography

| name = Kevin Jefferson

| number = 57, 64

| position = Linebacker

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1974|1|14}}

| birth_place = Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.

| height_ft = 6

| height_in = 2

| weight_lb = 232

| high_school = Hempfield
(Greensburg, Pennsylvania)

| college = Lehigh (1990–1993)

| undraftedyear = 1994

| pastteams =

Cincinnati Bengals ({{NFL Year|1994|1995}})
Green Bay Packers ({{NFL Year|1997}})*
Rhein Fire (1998)
Washington Redskins ({{NFL Year|1998}})*
BC Lions ({{CFL Year|1999}})*
San Francisco Demons (2001)*
Orlando Rage (2001)
Carolina Cobras ({{AFL Year|2001}})
Chicago Rush ({{AFL Year|2002}})*
Orlando Predators ({{AFL Year|2005}})

|highlights=

World Bowl champion (1998)

| statlabel1 = Tackles

| statvalue1 = 15

| statlabel2 = Fumble recoveries

| statvalue2 = 1

| pfr = JeffKe20

}}

Kevin Howard Jefferson Jr. (born January 14, 1974) is an American former professional football linebacker who played two seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Lehigh Engineers. He also played for the Rhein Fire of NFL Europe, the Orlando Rage of the XFL, and the Carolina Cobras and Orlando Predators of the Arena Football League (AFL).

Early life and college

Kevin Howard Jefferson Jr. was born on January 14, 1974, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He started kindergarten at the age of three, and began attending Hempfield Area High School in Greensburg, Pennsylvania when he was 12.{{cite web | url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/players/j/jeff01500.html | title=Kevin Jefferson | publisher=Pro Football Archives | accessdate=13 March 2025}} He earned all-league honors in football and track in high school. He was also a letterman in gymnastics and basketball.

Jefferson majored in mechanical engineering at Lehigh University, and played college football for the Lehigh Engineers from 1990 to 1993. He was a four-year letterman and four-year starter at Lehigh. At 16 years old, he was the youngest starter in school history.

Professional career

After going undrafted in the 1994 NFL draft, Jefferson signed with the Cincinnati Bengals on May 4. He was released on August 28, signed to the practice squad on August 30, and promoted to the active roster on October 4, 1994. He made his NFL debut at age 20, becoming the youngest NFL player since Andy Livingston in 1964.{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-courier-journal/167877622/ | title=Youth movement: Bengals boast youngest player (20) and coach (35) | work=The Courier-Journal | date=October 9, 1994 | accessdate=13 March 2025 | pages=C3}}{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/bryan-times/167882197/ | title=Bengal is youngest | work=Bryan Times | date=October 8, 1994 | agency=Associated Press | accessdate=13 March 2025 | pages=10}} Overall, he played in six games for the Bengals during the 1994 season, posting five special teams tackles.{{cite web | url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/J/JeffKe20.htm | title=Kevin Jefferson | publisher=Pro Football Reference | accessdate=13 March 2025}} He appeared in all 16 games in 1995, recording nine special teams tackle, one solo tackle on defense, and one fumble recovery. He was released on August 20, 1996.

Jefferson signed with the Green Bay Packers on March 4, 1997. He was released on August 4, 1997.

He played for the Rhein Fire of NFL Europe in 1998, totaling 35 tackles, 2.5 sacks, one interception, and three pass breakups. The Fire finished the season with a 7–3 record, and won World Bowl '98 against the Frankfurt Galaxy.{{cite web | url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/1998nflerhe.html | title=1998 Rhein Fire (NFLE) | publisher=Pro Football Archives | accessdate=13 March 2025}}

Jefferson was signed by the Washington Redskins on July 26, 1998, but later released on August 30, 1998.{{cite web | url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/transactions/j/jeff01500.html | title=Kevin Jefferson Transactions | publisher=Pro Football Archives | accessdate=13 March 2025}}

He signed with the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League on March 11, 1999.{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-province/167876452/ | title=Lions sign trio | work=The Province | date=March 12, 1999 | accessdate=13 March 2025 | author=Chapman, Paul | pages=A59}} He was placed on the team's suspended list after not showing up to the first day of Lions' training camp on June 13, 1999.{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/calgary-herald/167876627/ | title=A few no-shows at Lions camp | work=Calgary Herald | date=June 14, 1999 | accessdate=13 March 2025 | pages=D4}} He was released on June 29, 2000.{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/edmonton-journal/167876337/ | title=Transactions | work=Edmonton Journal | date=June 30, 2000 | accessdate=13 March 2025 | pages=D7}}

In October 2000, Jefferson was selected by the San Francisco Demons in the 14th round, with the 107th overall pick, of the 2001 XFL draft.{{cite web | url=https://www.all-xfl.com/orlandorage/team/roster/kevinjefferson.htm | title=Kevin Jefferson | publisher=All-XFL.com | accessdate=13 March 2025}} He was waived by the Demons in late January 2001 before the start of the season.{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/northwest-herald/167877041/ | title=Transactions | work=Northwest Herald | date=January 30, 2001 | accessdate=13 March 2025}} He was claimed by the Orlando Rage on February 21, 2001. Jefferson played in six games for the Rage during the 2001 season, posting one tackle.

Jefferson signed with the Carolina Cobras of the Arena Football League (AFL) on June 6, 2001. He played in four games for the Cobras during the 2001 season, totaling two solo tackles, two sacks, one pass breakup, two receptions for six yards, and five carries for 21 yards and two touchdowns.{{cite web | url=https://www.arenafan.com/players/Kevin_Jefferson-2958/ | title=Kevin Jefferson | publisher=ArenaFan.com | accessdate=13 March 2025}} He was a fullback/linebacker during his time in the AFL as the league played under ironman rules. Jefferson was waived on January 10, 2002.{{cite web | url=https://www.arenafan.com/teams/?page=transactions&type=old&team=45 | title=Historical Team Transactions | publisher=ArenaFan.com | accessdate=13 March 2025}}

Jefferson was claimed off waivers by the Chicago Rush on January 11, 2002.{{cite web | url=https://www.arenafan.com/teams/?page=transactions&type=old&team=64 | title=Historical Team Transactions | publisher=ArenaFan.com | accessdate=13 March 2025}} He was waived on March 18, 2002.

Jefferson signed with the Orlando Predators of the AFL on January 17, 2005.{{cite web | url=https://www.arenafan.com/teams/?page=transactions&type=old&team=13 | title=Historical Team Transactions | publisher=ArenaFan.com | accessdate=13 March 2025}} He was waived on January 24, 2005, but later re-signed on April 6, 2005. He appeared in two games for the Predators that year.