In 1995, the Jacksonville Jaguars became one of two expansion teams to join the NFL, much to the delight of local residents and fans. Although there is a large presence of college football in the area, with both the Gator Bowl and the Florida-Georgia games being played in Jacksonville each year, fans were hungry for a hometown professional football team. The Jaguars are one of three professional teams in Florida, along with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Miami Dolphins. After a rough first year, the Jaguars became the first team in NFL history to make the playoffs four out of their first five years in the league. 1999 was a great year for the Jaguars as the team finished with a record 14-2 regular season, with both losses against the Tennessee Titans. They eventually lost to the Titans in the playoffs, becoming the first team to suffer only three losses all against the same team.
Jacksonville Jaguars games are a treat for the whole family. Of course, alcoholic beverages are sold, but for those with children, the family section is perfect with a policy of no alcohol. Children also love the Jaguars mascot, Jaxson de Ville, a large Jaguar present at all home games dancing along the sidelines.
Jaxson is not the only support the Jaguars have. There is a whole network of people related to the team supporting and assisting them. The Jaguar Alumni Group (JAG) Ambassadors is a group of former players that devote their time in various areas to supporting the team with public relations, assisting players, and coaching staff, as well as in other areas of the franchise.
Jacksonville Jaguars Cheerleaders are also an important part of the franchise. Known as the ROAR, they appear at home games showing support and cheering their team on. Off the field, these beautiful women are successful students and business people, contributing to the community and economy of the Jacksonville area.
The Jacksonville Jaguars play at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, which is located in the heart of downtown Jacksonville, right next to the St. Johns River. Erected in just nineteen and a half months, the stadium was built on the site of the old Gator Bowl and quickly became known as the best stadium in the country.
Other than Jaguars games, the stadium is also home of the Gator Bowl, also known as the “World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party” where the Florida Gators and the Georgia Bulldogs face off each year. Super Bowl XXXIX took place in Jacksonville, filling the city and the stadium to the rafters with excited fans.
The Jacksonville Jaguars may not be the top ranked team in the league but their game day experience cannot be beat. From the “Bud Zone” to the family section, Jacksonville fans are guaranteed a great time and an exciting game.
Past Seasons
The QB question mark is answered for the Kags with new QB David Garrard, stepping in after former first-round pick Byron Leftwich was released Unfortunately, Offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter has fumbles QB news before. He messed up the announcement of who his starter was so poorly at his previous job that Heisman candidate Sam Keller quit the team and transferred to Nebraska mid-year. In spite of their coordinator, the Jags have the rushing game, a strong defense, and good special teams. Yet, it is the passing attack that prevents fans from betting on Jaguar odds.
2007 Jacksonville Jaguars tickets brought the team’s first appearance in the playoffs in the last six years. While young quarterback Byron Leftwich has been injured during part of this season, David Garrard has assumed the starting role for the Jaguars and both quarterbacks have combined with veteran wide receiver Jimmy Smith for a productive offensive attack. While the Jaguars are one of only four teams to never reach the Super Bowl, fans at ALLTEL Stadium hope that this year’s postseason can produce a trip to the championship game.
While many expansion franchises suffer through a decade of losing before finally becoming a competitive NFL team, the Jaguars short history is already littered with success. After competing with many other cities around the country for a football team, fans in Jacksonville rejoiced with the city’s selection for a professional football program in 1995. The Jaguars are the first expansion team in the history of the league to make playoff appearances in three of its first four years. Under head coach Tom Coughlin’s guidance, Jacksonville emerged as one of the AFC’s strongest teams and the team narrowly missed the Super Bowl in 1996 and 1999. Pro Bowl quarterback Mark Brunell enjoyed an excellent term in Jacksonville, and it appeared as though the Jaguars would be one of the fastest expansion teams in history to win a championship. However, after four consecutive winning seasons, Coughlin followed with four straight losing seasons and was fired in 2003.
After the years of struggling, Jack Del Rio replaced Coughlin as the team’s head coach, and the franchise has improved over the past two seasons. Despite missing the playoffs in 2004, the Jaguars finished with a winning record due to a strong defense that included Pro Bowl selections Marcus Stroud and John Henderson. The offensive production was slowed when standout running back Fred Taylor missed the end of the season because of an injury. Taylor holds nearly all of the team’s rushing records, and fans hope that the veteran running back can remain healthy in order to return the team to their original caliber of play.
Del Rio led the Jaguars into the playoffs as a wild card in 2005-06 . In addition to the difficulties that injuries and player changes have presented for the franchise over the past few years, Jacksonville competes in one of the most difficult divisions in the NFL, the AFC South. After this year’s season, Jaguars football tickets will become more coveted by the Florida fans as the team works to build on Del Rio’s winning tradition.
