Jaguars owner Shad Khan has endured plenty of heartache in Jacksonville, as the team went 17-63 in his first five seasons as owner.
But he's definitely enjoying life these days, as the Jaguars (10-4) have emerged as one of the top teams in the NFL this year.
After the Jaguars whipped the Texans 45-7 Sunday to clinch their first playoff berth since 2007, Khan reveled in the experience.
“I’ve been through life when I was a laughingstock, whatever business I was in — auto parts or what have you,” Khan said (via Jacksonville.com). “You have to stay with it. Success comes. It’s a story of perseverance.”
Khan has faced some tough situations as Jaguars owner. Earlier this year, the franchise issued an apology after Khan and Jaguars players knelt during "The Star Spangled Banner" before their game in London, but stood for the "God Save the Queen." There have been three head coaches in his tenure. Last year, Khan's son Tony, a team executive, became embroiled in a Twitter feud with angry Jaguars fans.
But the franchise's first playoff appearance in a decade puts all those hard times to rest.
“It’s unbelievable,” Khan said. “To win the way we did? Mind-blowing. Really, really grateful and obviously proud of the players and the football leadership and the fans who especially the last two games have given us the energy [and] put [us] over the top. It’s been awesome.”