TAMPA, Fla. – Jamal Jefferson, a fixture of Tampa Parks and Recreation who grew up utilizing the city’s community centers, has been named the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 2025 Inspire Change Changemaker of the Year.
The NFL franchise selected Jefferson for his long-standing dedication to the Jackson Heights NFL YET Center in East Tampa, where he has overseen operations since 2010. The facility serves as a critical safe haven for the community, with at least 50 local children and teens participating in daily activities ranging from music lessons to athletics.
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Jefferson’s selection highlights a career spent giving back to the same system that raised him. A West Tampa native, Jefferson spent his youth at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Center and Rey Park. Today, he credits that background, along with the mentorship of fellow Parks employee Rychard Williams, for his community-first approach.
Mayor Jane Castor praised Jefferson’s ability to build vital partnerships that extend beyond standard recreation.
“Jamal has brought so much to the kids and families who attend the Jackson Heights NFL YET Center,” Mayor Castor said. “From partnering with the Lions World Vision Institute to provide access to vision screenings and free glasses, to organizing player visits and football camps with the Buccaneers… Jamal has helped over and over to lead work that makes the community healthier, happier, and stronger.”
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Under Jefferson’s leadership, the center has hosted annual back-to-school backpack drives and holiday toy giveaways, solidifying its role as a neighborhood hub.
Upon receiving the news, Jefferson deflected the praise to his support system.
“It’s humbling, definitely,” Jefferson said. “It’s a testament to hard work and dedication, and it’s a testament to all of the teams, the crew, and the staff that I have had. I know this is a singular award, but I could not have done this without everyone else, including my wife, Lakeria.”
The NFL noted that Jefferson “embodies what it means to be a changemaker throughout Tampa Bay and beyond.”
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