Jaguars quotes of the week: “In Jacksonville for decades to come”

The best soundbites from the last seven days

Another week, another big storyline that dominates the airwaves around the Jacksonville Jaguars. Earlier this week, the team and the city announced that they had reached an agreement on a groundbreaking deal for a new stadium for the NFL franchise. Referred to as the ‘Stadium of the future’, the $1.4 billion renovation of Everbank was voted through by the 19-member council by a 14-1-2 margin. Work will begin following the conclusion of the 2025 season, but before then there are still plenty of details to iron out and agree to. Nevertheless, it’s a huge statement of intent from the team, the city and their commitment to each other. Here are some of the best quotes from those involved:

“A once in a generation opportunity”

Let’s begin with the official team statement. The Jags were excited to announce the news, but also keen to acknowledge that the project will bring a lot more benefits to Jacksonville than just keeping professional football in the city:

“We’re excited that the City Council has approved this historic agreement that will keep the Jaguars in Jacksonville for decades to come, enhance the fan experience for NFL and non-NFL events, and provide a springboard for downtown growth starting with the completion of world-class riverfront parks.

The other portions of the community benefits agreement represent a once-in-a-generation opportunity to improve the quality of life for citizens across Jacksonville. We remain committed to working with the City Council to pass those pieces of the package when they return in July.”

“Turning renderings into reality”

Mayor Donna Deegan, who had been spearheading negotiations between the two parties and has undoubtedly had a big role in keeping the team in the city for the long term, was proud to have reached an agreement:

“This day has been a long time coming. I am truly grateful for the partnership with the Jaguars throughout the negotiation process, and to the City Council for passing this historic deal. Together, we are turning renderings into reality for the betterment of Jacksonville.”

“Never doubt Jacksonville!”

Jaguars owner Shad Khan, no doubt buoyed by securing an agreement where the city will contribute to a new home for his team, was in celebratory mood – reminiscing about when the love affair between Jacksonville and the franchise all began:

“The belief and determination of Delores and Wayne Weaver to make the Jacksonville Jaguars a reality more than 30 years ago was reaffirmed today by the leadership of Mayor Donna Deegan, her team and the Jacksonville City Council. The message then, and now, should be clear. Never doubt Jacksonville!”

“We’re anxious to get to work”

Team president Mark Lamping displayed an altogether different set of emotions after the stadium deal was concluded, bringing a different perspective – for some people, this is not just about having a football team to support, but a livelihood:

“I think it’s a sense of relief, and that relief comes from certainty. We all know where we’re going to be working for the next 30 years. We know that the one thing that could have created the biggest issues for this franchise has now been taken off the table. We’re anxious to get to work to deliver on what should be a very, very special project – not only for the Jaguars, but for Jacksonville.”

“You want to be in the playoffs”

Okay. As exciting as it is, I think that’s enough talk about a new stadium. Regardless of the stands around it, football is about what happens on the gridiron – and owner Shad Khan has high expectations for head coach Doug Pederson and his staff. Acknowledging the team’s first two back to back winning seasons in two decades, he was keen to point out that, unless you get to the postseason, it’s kinda meaningless:

“When you talk to the players, and talk to the coaches, it’s all been about, ‘Why did this happen?’ – and more importantly, ‘What are we doing so it never happens? You talk about the growth in the football team; if this had happened five years ago or 10 years ago, you would be patting yourself on the back. Now it’s, ‘Yes, you want to have a winning season, but you want to be in the playoffs. ‘You want to be in the playoffs every year.”

The standard is set!

“A little Lawrence on the way”

Finally, how could we not end on a note like this?! On Friday, Trevor Lawrence and his wife Marissa collectively announced on Instagram that they are expecting a baby. The beautiful couple are friendly and engaging to the media, but don’t particularly choose to live in the public eye unlike other NFL power couples. So the social media post was as simple as it was beautiful, a picture of the pair with their two dogs and a series of ultrasound images, captioned simply with ‘A little Lawrence on the way’.

However, we all know that ‘Lil Baby Lawrence will have hundreds of thousands of Godparents all dressed in the famous black and teal wishing the family well. As the Jaguars social media team succinctly put it – it’s not just Trevor and Marissa having this child:

“We’re having a baby!”

Congratulations to the Lawrences, and welcome to the Jaguar family kid!