Shawn Jefferson is a former American football wide receiver who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 13 seasons. He was born on February 3, 1969, in Jacksonville, Florida, and attended Robert E. Lee High School before playing college football at Central Florida.
Jefferson was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the ninth round of the 1991 NFL Draft. He spent his first four seasons with the Chargers, where he primarily played on special teams and as a backup receiver. In 1995, he signed with the New England Patriots, where he had his breakout season. He caught 67 passes for 1,084 yards and 8 touchdowns, helping the Patriots reach Super Bowl XXXI.
After four seasons with the Patriots, Jefferson played for the Atlanta Falcons, Detroit Lions, and San Diego Chargers again before retiring after the 2003 season. He finished his career with 470 receptions for 7,023 yards and 29 touchdowns.
Jefferson was known for his speed and ability to stretch the field as a deep threat. He was also a reliable possession receiver and a solid blocker. He was a two-time Pro Bowl selection in 1999 and 2001 and was named to the NFL All-Pro team in 2001.
After retiring from playing, Jefferson began coaching. He served as an assistant coach for several NFL teams, including the Detroit Lions, Tennessee Titans, Miami Dolphins, and New York Jets. He was also the wide receivers coach for the University of Miami from 2016 to 2018.
Overall, Shawn Jefferson had a successful career as a wide receiver in the NFL. He was a consistent performer who was able to contribute in a variety of ways, and he was recognized as one of the best at his position during his prime.
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