All About Jayden Daniels' Parents, Javon Daniels and Regina Jackson

Mar. 15, 2025

Jayden Daniels with his parents after winning the Heisman Trophy on December 9, 2023 in New York City, New York.Photo:Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire/Getty

Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire/Getty

NFL quarterback Jayden Daniels has had two of his biggest cheerleaders in the stands for major career milestones on and off the gridiron: his parents, Javon Daniels and Regina Jackson.

The pair first crossed paths as teenagers. They both went to Cajon High School in San Bernardino, Calif., where their son would later attend and turn around the school’s football program for the better, perThe Players’ Tribune.

After high school, Jayden played football at Arizona State University for three years before transferring to Louisiana State University in 2022. In 2023, Jayden received the Heisman Trophy after throwing 3,812 yards and 40 touchdowns and rushing 1,134 yards and 10 touchdowns that season, according to theNFL.

Javon and Regina were both in the audience to witness Jayden receive the highly coveted trophy.

“The word perseverance is that kid Jayden,” Regina said before theHeisman Trophy ceremony. “The patience he has, the resilience to continue day after day, hour after hour, minute after minute, to be the best version of himself … just watching him get up at 5:30 in the morning to be great is really hard to describe.”

Javon added: “Everyone is proud of him. Our families came together and supported him … I know his mom is proud of him. I know I’m proud.”

Here’s everything to know about Jayden Daniels’ parents and biggest fans, Javon Daniels and Regina Jackson.

They raised Jayden in San Bernardino

Jayden Daniels during a game at Tiger Stadium on November 25, 2023 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.Jonathan Bachman/Getty

Jonathan Bachman/Getty

Locals to the area, the pair continued to put down roots in San Bernardino, where they raised Jayden. The city is where their son kick-started his career — but as Jayden later recognized, it wasn’t always considered the safest area to grow up in.

“I’m not gonna say it was bad, but there was violence and gang stuff everywhere … There’d be some fights, obviously. But in the background, some kids were starting to become affiliated with gangs, thinking they’re this and that,” Jayden penned in a letter forThe Players’ Tribune. “I don’t think my parents ever worried about me going that way, to be honest. My mom and my dad didn’t play that. I also just wasn’t a kid that was easily influenced to do things. But I mean, there was always a worry. You could always end up in the wrong situation, wrong place, wrong time.”

Javon played football in college

Jayden Daniels celebrates with his parents on senior day on November 25, 2023.Gerald Herbert/AP

Gerald Herbert/AP

After playing football at Cajon High School, Javon was a cornerback at the University of Washington. However, he eventually joined the 1998 defensive roster at Iowa State University, where he wore jersey no. 10.

“My dad played college at Washington and Iowa State. He played corner and growing up he always wanted me to play corner because he knew that I could have the height to play that position,” Jayden toldASUDevilsin 2019, adding that he decided to carve his own path as a quarterback.

Regina also has a daughter

Jayden Daniels during a game between the Texas A&M Aggies and the LSU Tigers on November 25, 2023.John Korduner/Icon Sportswire/Getty

John Korduner/Icon Sportswire/Getty

Regina is a mother of two. She first welcomed a daughter named Bianca in January 1999, before welcoming Jayden on Dec. 18, 2000. The trio are extremely close; while Jayden has pursued football, Bianca is busy carving out a name for herself in the film industry. Regina is equally proud of them both, and oftenraves about their hard workon social media.

In an emotional tribute to Bianca on her 21st birthday, Regina reflected on striving to be her daughter’s “biggest hero.”

“21 years ago I was lost. Didn’t know how i was going to raise a child, didn’t know if I would fail her or be her biggest hero, Crying trying to understand if I made the right choices for her and giving her everything in me….You helped me grow to the woman I am today. I see a beautiful soul that has the tenacity to never quit and I thank you for that because I will never quit,” Reginacaptioned a gallery of mother-daughter photos.

Javon inspired Jayden to pursue football

Jayden Daniels after a game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs on September 16, 2023 in Starkville, Mississippi.Justin Ford/Getty

Justin Ford/Getty

“When he was old enough to walk, I handed him a ball and I said, ‘This is what you’re going to do.’ He took that ball and he ran with it,” Javon told Marty Smith moments before Jayden was crowned a Heisman winner.

Jayden shared a similar anecdoteduring a press eventat the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine. “My dad played Division 1 football," he told reporters. “He coached me, so football has always been in my hands. He inspired me and then going from there [I] just fell in love with the game.”

They are Jayden’s biggest supporters

Jayden Daniels during the ReliaQuest Bowl against the Wisconsin Badgers on January 1, 2024.Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire/Getty

Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire/Getty

At every game, fans can spot Javon and Regina cheering on their son from the stands. While accepting the 2023 Heisman Trophy, the quarterback gave his dad a big shout-out.

“Dad, you put a football in my hands when I was young. I know you raised me to be a corner, but hopefully now the decision to play quarterback paid off,” Jaydensaid to a room full of laughter. “You taught me how to play, lead, and be calm no matter the situation, and I know I wouldn’t be on this stage if it wasn’t for you. So thank you, I love you.”

He added of his parents, “Everything they’ve done for me I’ve been so grateful for.”

Jayden says Regina has always looked out for him

Regina Jackson and Jayden Daniels in 2024.Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty

Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty

Regina has always looked out for her son — especially relating to who is in the family’s close circle.

“Nothing gets past my mama,” the NFL quarterback said during an interview withBoardroomin December 2024. “She reads people, she doesn’t want to put people around me that she doesn’t feel will benefit me.”

source: people.com