It’s About Character

From his earliest days as a student athlete to his current successful career as head coach of the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars, Jack Del Rio has exemplified the very highest standards of sportsmanship, dignity and public service. Throughout his life and his career, he has remained dedicated to his goals and to his belief in building strength of character. But more important is the character he has shown in pursuing his remarkable achievements. It is only fitting that he and his wife Linda have chosen to extend their high principals to the service of underserved children in Northeast Florida by starting the Jack Del Rio Foundation.

Through the Foundation, Jack and Linda are dedicated to making an impact on the lives of children and giving back to the communities that have meant so much to them. They are building meaningful partnerships that will have a lasting effect.

An All-Star Career

An all-star, multi-sport athlete at Hayward High School in Northern California, Jack was drafted by Major League Baseball’s Toronto Blue Jays. Choosing to pursue a college education and focus on football, he attended the University of Southern California, where he became a four-year starter and earned consensus All-America honors as a senior. Drafted by the New Orleans Saints in 1985, he went on to achieve a Pro Bowl career playing for the Saints, the Kansas City Chiefs, Dallas Cowboys and Minnesota Vikings.

The Coach

After retiring as a player, Jack began his coaching career with the New Orleans Saints under Hall of Famer Mike Ditka in 1997. He went on to serve as assistant coach with both the Baltimore Ravens and Carolina Panthers prior to being named head coach of the Jaguars in 2003.

Giving Back

Since arriving in Jacksonville, Coach Del Rio and Linda have been extremely active in the civic life of the region, helping to raise and distribute contributions for numerous organizations. Jack and Linda are supporters of the American Cancer Society and are members of The Laureate Society of Jacksonville.

The Del Rios have also raised funds for the Seamark Ranch through sales of the 2003 JagNet Cookbook and through the 2004 Del Rio Family Charity Golf Classic. They have also been involved with a long list of other charitable and civic organizations, including, to name just a few:

• Wolfson Children’s Hospital
• The Ronald McDonald House
• St. Catherine Laboure Manor
• Hubbard House
• Dean’s Council of the University of North Florida Brooks College of Health
• LSS 2nd Harvest Food Bank
• Freedom Alliance Fund
• St. Jude Children’s Hospital
• St. Vincent’s Hospital
• Leukemia Lymphoma Society
• Families First
• The Salvation Army
• Cystic Fibrosis
• Devereaux Day School

The Del Rios also support many charitable organizations in both Northern California and New Orleans.

In establishing the Jack Del Rio Foundation, Coach Del Rio extends his already active civic involvement to help the underserved children of our area.

“Jacksonville is our home,” said Coach Del Rio, “and Linda and I feel a strong connection to this wonderful community. We also see a crying need to help our underserved young people enjoy fulfilling lives, and we want to do something about it. We want to create an organization that is greater than self. It’s our hope that the Jack Del Rio Foundation will help teach our youth that dreams can come true, that hope, character and hard work can and will result in a better life.”