Jayden Daniels took the football world by storm after winning the 2023 Heisman Trophy — but his family has been there from day one.
“Dad, you put a football in my hands when I was young. I know you raised me to be a corner, but hopefully now the decision to play quarterback paid off,” Jayden joked during his Heisman Trophy acceptance speech in December 2023, honoring his father, Javon “Jay” Daniels. “You taught me how to play, lead and be calm no matter the situation. I know I wouldn’t be on this stage if it wasn’t for you, so thank you. I love you.”
The athlete, who was picked by the Washington CoMMAnders during the 2024 NFL Draft, then turned his attention to his mother, Regina Jackson.
“My rock, my moMMA. You were so nervous when I was playing my first high school Game that you couldn’t even watch my first high school touchdown. You closed your eyes,” he recalled. “But after that you never took your eyes off the field. … You encouraged me to always bet on myself because you always believed in me no matter what. … I love you mom.”
Scroll down to get to know Jayden’s family and personal cheer squad:
Javon Daniels
Before his son became a big name in football, Javon played cornerback at Cajon High School in California. He went on to play college ball at the University of Washington before transferring to Iowa State University.
Javon met Jayden’s mother, Regina, as teenagers while attending Cajon High School in San Bernardino. They later reunited and welcomed Jayden in December 2000. The pair don’t appear to be married.
Javon coached Jayden throughout his childhood and has been one of his biggest supporters. “When he was old enough to walk, I handed him a ball and I said, ‘This is what you’re going to do,’” Javon told reporter Marty Smith in December 2023 ahead of the Heisman Trophy ceremony. “He took that ball and he ran with it.”
Regina Jackson
Regina became a mother in January 1999 when she gave birth to daughter Bianca. She and Javon welcomed Jayden the following year.
After cheering on her son from the sidelines for years, Regina became a certified NFL agent to better support Jayden and his career. Although she wasn’t listed as part of Jayden’s representation team when he was drafted in April 2024, she is certified.
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Bianca
Jayden’s older sister, Bianca, was born in January 1999. According to her mom’s social media post in January 2022, Bianca is pursuing a career in entertainment and filmmaking.
Jayden acknowledged his sibling in an open letter he penned after declaring for the NFL draft in April 2024 via The Players Tribune. “One thing I can tell you is, it takes a village to get in this position. It also takes a lot of love,” he wrote. “I just want to thank all of the people who helped me get to this point. I want to thank my family above all. Shoutout to my mom and my dad, my sister, my grandparents, and all of my extended family as well.”
