29 Facts About Willie Jefferson

Willie Hebert Jefferson III was born on January 31,1991 and is an American professional football defensive end for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League.

Willie Jefferson was named the CFL's Most Outstanding Defensive Player in 2019 with the Bombers, and is a six-time CFL All-Star and seven-time CFL West All-Star.

Willie Jefferson has been a member of the Houston Texans, Buffalo Bills, Washington Redskins, and Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Willie Jefferson was selected to the 4A all-state second-team in his senior year in high school.

Willie Jefferson started his college football career as a wide receiver for the Baylor Bears in 2009 and moved to tight end for the 2010 season.

Willie Jefferson, who was driving, was kicked off the team due to it being his second violation.

Willie Jefferson led the Southland Conference in sacks with 16.

Willie Jefferson was selected to the Sports Network All-America second team, Phil Steele's Magazine All-America third team.

Willie Jefferson appeared in six games for the Texans before being released on October 21,2013, for unspecified violations of team rules prior to a game in Kansas City.

Willie Jefferson made his post-season debut as he played in two playoff games where he had one defensive tackle.

In 2015, Willie Jefferson played in all 18 regular season games, starting in six, where he had 24 defensive tackles, six sacks, four pass knockdowns, and three forced fumbles.

Willie Jefferson recorded one defensive tackle as the Eskimos defeated the Ottawa Redblacks in the 103rd Grey Cup.

Willie Jefferson signed a futures contract with the Washington Redskins on January 14,2016.

On September 28,2016, Willie Jefferson returned to the CFL and signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, rejoining his former head coach from Edmonton, Chris Jones.

Willie Jefferson played in the final five games of the 2016 season, where he had eight defensive tackles and three sacks.

Willie Jefferson was named a CFL All-Star in 2017 after he played and started in all 18 regular season games and had a career-high 45 defensive tackles along with eight sacks, six knockdowns, and one fumble recovery for a touchdown.

Willie Jefferson became a free agent upon the expiry of his contract on February 12,2019.

On February 12,2019, it was announced that Willie Jefferson had signed a one-year deal with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers through the 2019 season.

Willie Jefferson felt the Roughriders' offer did not match his market value; he was courted by the Toronto Argonauts, but signed with the Blue Bombers for $210,000 CND.

Willie Jefferson set the CFL record for a defensive lineman with 16 pass knockdowns.

However, prior to the 2020 season, Willie Jefferson signed a two-year contract extension, keeping him in Winnipeg through the 2021 season at approximately $265,000 a year.

Unfortunately, the 2020 CFL season was cancelled as a result of the pandemic but Willie Jefferson returned to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers for the 2021 season.

Willie Jefferson would help the Blue Bombers thrive in their title defending season in 2021.

Willie Jefferson finished the season with seven sacks, 18 tackles, three forced fumbles, and two interceptions with one of those returned for a touchdown.

Willie Jefferson continued his stellar play in the 2022 CFL season, contributing with 33 defensive tackles, seven sacks, two forced fumbles, one interception and one touchdown.

Willie Jefferson was named a West-Division All-Star for the fifth consecutive season.

In 2023, Willie Jefferson played and started in 17 regular season games where he recorded 21 defensive tackles, 11 sacks, a league-leading 13 pass knockdowns, and three forced fumbles.

Willie Jefferson played in his fifth Grey Cup game, and fourth consecutively, where he had one defensive tackle and one sack, but the Blue Bombers were defeated by the Montreal Alouettes.

On December 4,2023, Willie Jefferson signed another one-year contract extension with the Blue Bombers.