Community Engagement in Events for the Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jacksonville Jaguars have long viewed themselves as more than just an NFL franchise—they see themselves as a cornerstone of the Jacksonville community, using football as a platform to connect, support, and uplift local residents. From annual charity drives to player-led youth initiatives, the Jaguars’ community engagement events are designed to address local needs, build lasting relationships, and foster a sense of pride across the city. Community Engagement in Events for the Jacksonville Jaguars highlights these impactful efforts, showing how the team turns its influence into tangible good and why these events have become a beloved part of the Jaguars’ identity. For fans and residents alike, these initiatives aren’t just “extra”—they’re a reminder that the Jaguars are invested in Jacksonville’s success, on and off the field.

Community Engagement in Events for the Jacksonville Jaguars begins with the team’s flagship annual event: the “Jaguars Community Day,” held each summer at TIAA Bank Field. This free event invites thousands of local families to explore the stadium, meet current and former players, and participate in interactive activities—all while connecting with local nonprofits. At the 2024 Community Day, attendees could get autographs from stars like Trevor Lawrence and Josh Allen, run drills on the field with Jaguars coaches, and visit booths from over 50 local organizations, including food banks, youth mentorship programs, and animal shelters. The event also featured a “School Supply Drive,” where families donated backpacks and notebooks to be distributed to students in need across Duval County. “Community Day is our way of saying ‘thank you’ to Jacksonville,” said Jaguars community relations director Kaycee Lagarde. “It’s a day where football takes a backseat to connection—we want families to have fun, but we also want to make it easy for them to support local causes.” This year’s event drew over 15,000 attendees and collected more than 3,000 school supply items, continuing its legacy as one of the Jaguars’ most impactful community events.

Community Engagement in Events for the Jacksonville Jaguars continues with player-led initiatives, which put the team’s athletes at the forefront of community service. One standout example is defensive end Josh Allen’s “Sack for Kids” program, launched in 2022. For every sack Allen records during the season, he donates \(1,000 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida, with the Jaguars organization matching his contribution. In 2023, Allen recorded 10 sacks, resulting in a \)20,000 donation that funded after-school tutoring programs and sports equipment for three local Boys & Girls Clubs. Allen also hosts monthly “Josh’s Jamboree” events at the clubs, where he plays games with kids, leads football drills, and talks about the importance of education. “Growing up, I had mentors who helped me stay on track, and I want to be that person for these kids,” Allen said. “Football gave me opportunities, and now I want to give back to the community that supports me every Sunday.” Other players have followed suit: running back Travis Etienne hosts a “Turkey Trot & Giveaway” each Thanksgiving, providing 500 families with turkeys and holiday meals, while wide receiver Calvin Ridley works with local libraries to donate books to underfunded schools. These player-led events add a personal touch to the Jaguars’ community work, making the team feel more accessible to residents.

Community Engagement in Events for the Jacksonville Jaguars includes game-day community initiatives, which turn Jaguars home games into opportunities to support local causes. One such program is “Hometown Hero of the Game,” where the Jaguars honor a local resident who has made a significant impact on the community—whether through volunteer work, advocacy, or public service. At each home game, the honoree is recognized on the field during halftime, receives a custom Jaguars jersey, and has a donation made in their name to the charity of their choice. In Week 12 of the 2023 season, the Jaguars honored Maria Gonzalez, a nurse who founded a free clinic for uninsured residents in Jacksonville’s Springfield neighborhood. The team donated $5,000 to Gonzalez’s clinic, which helped expand its hours and hire an additional medical assistant. “Game days are about more than winning—they’re about celebrating Jacksonville’s best,” said Jaguars president Mark Lamping. “The Hometown Hero program lets us shine a light on people who make our city better, and it inspires our fans to get involved too.” For the Jacksonville Jaguars, these game-day initiatives turn every home game into a community celebration, linking the excitement of football to the pride of living in Jacksonville.

Community Engagement in Events for the Jacksonville Jaguars delves into the team’s focus on youth football and development, which aims to nurture the next generation of athletes and leaders. The Jaguars’ “Youth Football League” (YFL) is a free, co-ed program for kids ages 6-14, serving over 2,000 participants across 10 Jacksonville neighborhoods. The YFL provides coaching, equipment, and uniforms at no cost to families, and emphasizes teamwork, sportsmanship, and academic success—players must maintain a 2.0 GPA to participate. At the end of each season, the YFL hosts a championship game at TIAA Bank Field, where young players get to experience the thrill of playing on an NFL field. The Jaguars also bring in current players to coach clinics during the season; in 2024, quarterback Trevor Lawrence led a passing clinic for YFL quarterbacks, sharing tips on mechanics and leadership. “The YFL isn’t just about teaching football—it’s about teaching life skills,” said Jaguars youth football coordinator Chris Smith. “We want these kids to learn how to work hard, respect others, and never give up—lessons that will serve them long after they hang up their cleats.” For the Jacksonville Jaguars, investing in youth football is an investment in Jacksonville’s future, helping build a stronger, more connected community.

Community Engagement in Events for the Jacksonville Jaguars wraps up with the impact of these events on the community, as shared by local residents and nonprofit leaders. Sarah Johnson, executive director of Feeding Northeast Florida, has partnered with the Jaguars on food drives for five years and says the team’s support has been transformative: “The Jaguars don’t just donate food—they help us raise awareness about hunger in our community. Their players come out to pack meals, their social media team shares our mission, and their fans show up in droves to donate. Because of them, we’ve been able to feed an extra 10,000 families each year.” Local parent Michelle Carter, who attends Community Day with her two kids annually, echoes that sentiment: “My son is a huge Jaguars fan, so meeting players like Trevor Lawrence makes his year—but what I love most is that the event teaches him about giving back. Last year, he donated his old backpack to the school supply drive, and he still talks about how good it felt to help another kid.” For the Jacksonville Jaguars, these stories are the ultimate measure of success—proof that their community engagement events aren’t just PR stunts, but meaningful efforts to make Jacksonville a better place. In the end, Community Engagement in Events for the Jacksonville Jaguars is a story of partnership: between a team and its city, between players and fans, and between sports and service. These events remind us that football has the power to unite, and that the Jaguars are more than a team—they’re part of Jacksonville’s heart.