Catch Up with the Jets Legend from Temple

Jim Gehman

Born and raised in Brooklyn, Jaiquawn Jarrett supported and was loyal to all of New York's teams football, baseball, basketball, hockey.

However, after joining the Jets as a free agent in 2012, the borough's answer to Switzerland became far less neutral.

A safety who was drafted by Philadelphia in the second round out of Temple in 2011, Jarrett was waived by the Eagles in September 2012 and out of the game for an understandably trying few months before signing a futures contract with the Jets on the last day of the year.

"Being cut is never an easy thing to do. I had a really good support system who continued to support me going through that journey, going through that phase of my life," Jarrett said. "And I think relying on that and just continuing to grind and work and understanding what you need to do and continue to keep your faith, you definitely really have to trust what you cannot see.

"When I did sit down and talk with the coaches, they just wanted me to be me. 'Just come here and be the best version of yourself and just bring your relentlessness, your toughness, your smarts, your intangibles to the game. Just come here and be a great teammate.' Things that I knew I was capable of doing. Just come in with the mindset to work every day."

Making his first start as a Jet in the 2013 Week 5 Monday night game in Atlanta, Jarrett had seven tackles and a quarterback hit, and helped beat the Falcons, 30-28.

"We knew Atlanta had a gang of skilled players, (wide receivers) Julio Jones, Roddy White, and knew (quarterback) Matt Ryan was going to put the ball in great places for them, to let his playmakers make plays," Jarrett said. "And he had the Hall of Famer (tight end) Tony Gonzalez out there. So they had a ton of weapons

"We were talking about just executing our game plan, sticking to it, and then let the chips fall where they may. But that game was exciting because I got to see the front seven just doing what they do, and it was at a high level. Almost every play, it was in the backfield. If it wasn't getting the TFL [tackle for loss], it was applying pressure to Matt Ryan. That front seven did a phenomenal job that game."

Jarrett had a phenomenal game himself the following season when the Jets hosted Pittsburgh at MetLife Stadium in Week 10. With Head Coach Rex Ryan saying that he earned it, Jarrett made his first start of the season and recorded 10 tackles, a sack, a fumble recovery, and two interceptions off of Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in New York's 20-13 victory over a team that had scored 94 points its previous two games.

"That Steelers team was really, really explosive. (Wide receivers) Antonio Brown, Martavis Bryant, (and running back) Le'Veon Bell. They had weapons that can beat you down the field, across the field, however you want it. So the emphasis was to keep your eyes on your work. Understanding who you're lined up against. And just be physical. Play the game how it's supposed to be played," said Jarrett, who was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week.

"And being in the right position. Sometimes you've just got to catch the ones they throw. Tips and overthrows. You'll hear that from a lot of coaches, 'Catch the one they throw you.' It's hard to make plays in this league, so when you get gifts, you've got to make sure you come down with them."

With the Jets for three seasons, those two games are among Jarrett's fondest memories. But

"Another key one would be playing, being honored, to take the field with Ed Reed," he said. "Saying I played with a Hall of Famer. On the same field, in the same locker room, the same meeting room as a Hall of Famer. To have an opportunity to watch and learn from Ed was amazing. His work ethic, the way he prepared, the way he studied, the way he took care of his body.

"Sharing the field with Ed and Dawan Landry. Dawan was one of the ultimate pros on and off the field. Every day, he came with the same attitude, and was the same guy every day. He mentored us."

Following his playing days, Jarrett participated in the Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship and was mentored by then-Miami Dolphins Head Coach Brian Flores and his staff. He was able to sit in on meetings, work with them on the field, and also evaluate free agent workouts.

Jarrett returned to Temple in 2019 to shadow then-co-defensive coordinator and secondary coach Fran Brown. That's when he discovered his calling, if you will, was to work with players and coaches off the field.

"I would talk to some of the guys, not really saying who I am or what I did," Jarrett said. "And one day at breakfast, four or five guys sat down with me and we just talked. Nothing about football, all about life. And at that point, I think that's when it hit me where this is something that I would love to do. Just help develop young men become the best versions of themselves."

Five years ago, Jarrett joined then-Carolina Head Coach Matt Rhule, who had been the offensive coordinator at Temple when he was there, with the Panthers and is now their Assistant Director of Player Affairs.

"I get the chance to work with the name on the back of the jersey, and the coaches work with the number," Jarrett said. "Being able to help develop these young men, professional development, personal development, and just being able to provide resources for them and their families. Being able to help them with their transition to the city coming from somewhere else. Whether you're a rookie, a fourth-year, or a 10-year veteran, that transition is different for everyone.

"So being able to assist them with that transition, making them feel more comfortable as they go through the process, is what I enjoy. Because not only does the player transition to a city, if they're coming with their significant other, their kids, loved one, they are transitioning, too. So the more we can support the player off the field to help him develop and take care of his household, that will make him a better player when he walks through these doors."

While initially thinking that coaching would be his answer to staying in the game, Jarrett came to realize that helping players, coaches, or anyone in the organization and their families, makes him feel rewarded every day.

"I'm not in this to be acknowledged. I love being behind the scenes, the work that goes into it every day, every week. Sometimes it's the little things. People don't understand. They don't get a chance to see the relationship-building. It's hard to build relationships built on trust. Knowing that I don't need anything from them," said Jarrett, who works alongside Kevin Winston, the Panthers' Vice President of Player Affairs.

"We just want them to be successful. Want them to be happy. Want them to be able to continue to create their dream and be able to provide for their family. It's rewarding when I get to see our guys have success."

Making his home in suburban Charlotte, NC, with his wife, Charisma, and their daughter, Skyler, what else is the best thing about being Jaiquawn Jarrett?

"I would say one thing I've learned about myself is patience. Learning how to have patience, learning how to communicate better, and just continue to go above and beyond to help support and serve wherever I can," he said.

"I enjoy supporting the coaches, the players, and the staff. There's no one in the building that we don't offer support. Whatever type of support you need, we are here to help as much as you would allow us to."