In 1995, along with the Carolina Panthers, the Jacksonville Jaguars entered the National Football League (NFL) as an expansion team. The addition of the two teams was the first by the NFL in almost twenty years.
Under Head Coach Tom Coughlin, the team enjoyed early success, reaching the playoffs in 1997, 1998, and 1999. Although each year ended in a defeat, the team advanced further each year. They made the playoffs initially as a Wild Card team, then reached the Division Championship the following year, and in 1999 they lost the in the AFC title Championship to the Tennessee Titans, 33-14. Playing in the AFC Championship game remains one of the team’s highest accomplishments to date.
Historic Football ties to Jacksonville
There have been no ties to the NFL before the Jaguars became a franchise. Attempts to bring professional football to Jacksonville dated as early as 1925; eventual Hall of Famer Ernie Never played his professional rookie season with a team in Jacksonville. The team folded shortly afterwards, unable to afford Nevers’ contract. In the 1970s, the Jacksonville Express played in the World Football League, while the Jacksonville Bulls played in the United States Football League. In 1986, Jacksonville made an unsuccessful attempt to convince Houton Oiler owner Bud Adams to move his franchise to the city. Adams had been in negotiations with the city of Houston on the renovations of the Astrodome. Adams received at the time what he was looking for; the move to Jacksonville did not happen.
The selection of Jacksonville as an NFL franchise remains one of surprise. The Jacksonville metropolitan and television market at the time was smaller than every other team in the league except Green Bay. There are also two other NFL professional football teams in the state, the Miami Dolphins, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to compete with for market share. In a surprising vote, 26-2, NFL owners approved the franchise over other applicants in Baltimore and St. Louis as the 30th franchise in the league. “Jaguar” Nickname history
“Jaguar” nickname history
The name Jaguars was selected through a fan contest. Other names considered were the Sharks and Stingrays. The Jaguars are not native to Jacksonville, but at the time the oldest living jaguar was housed in the Jacksonville Zoo.
The Jaguar nickname was selected through a fan contest in 1991, 2 years before the city was officially awarded an expansion team and 4 years before the team would begin play.
Other names considered included the Sharks and Stingrays.
While Jaguars aren’t native to Jacksonville, the oldest living jaguar in North America was housed in the Jacksonville Zoo.
Key players from the early successful Jaguar teams included quarterback Mark Brunel, wide receiver Jimmy Smith, and offensive tackle Tony Boselli. Boselli had been the first player selected by the Jaguars in their initial draft.
Stadium History
The franchise has played in the same stadium since its inception in 1995. Opening in 1995, Jacksonville Municipal Stadium sits on the site of the old Gator Bowl Stadium. From 1997 to 2006 the stadium was renamed Alltell Stadium, as the communications company purchased naming rights. The stadium was renamed EverBank Field in 2010. He 2018 the stadium was renamed again, TIAA Bank Field. In addition to hosting the Jaguars, the site is home to college football games such as the Florida Gator-Georgia rivalry.
The stadium also hosts the annual Gator Bowl, a post-season college bowl game. (The initial Gator Bowl Stadium was initially constructed in 1927) Current owner Shahid Khan has been in on-going negotiations with the municipality of Jacksonville for a new stadium.
Khan purchased the team from initial owner Wayne Weaver in 2011.
With the top selection in the 2021 draft, the Jaguars selected quarterback Trevor Lawrence. In 2022, the Jaguars won the AFC South Division with a 9-8 record. They lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in the Divisional Playoffs, 27-20. The Chiefs would go on to win the Super Bowl.
The Jacksonville Jaguars currently play in the American Football Conference (AFC) South Division along with the Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans.
Barry Schustermann
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