When Jayden Daniels was picked second overall in the 2024 NFL Draft by the Commanders, at his side the entire time were his parents: Javon "Jay" Daniels and Regina Jackson.
His mother also attended the ESPYS with him and made an appearance at his first win against the New York Giants in Week 2. With Jackson in the stands, Daniels had a stellar performance, completing 79.3 percent of his passes for 226 yards. However, he has yet to throw a touchdown pass and was sacked five times in the 21-18 victory.
Jackson has made headlines a couple of times in the past year, once for allegedly committing recruiting violations during Daniels' college career and recently for her outfit at Washington's latest contest.
Here's everything to know about Daniels' mom, who is garnering attention on social media ahead of his Monday night matchup against fellow LSU graduate and Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow and the Bengals.
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Who is Jayden Daniels' mom?
Jackson grew up in San Bernardino, Calif., where she met her husband Jay attending Cajon High School, which their son would later attend. The pair raised Jayden in the Southern California city, but he revealed in a letter for The Players' Tribune that his upbringing wasn't necessarily easy and included exposure to violence and gangs.
“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," Daniels wrote. "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.”
Daniels also has a sister, Bianca, who is just under two years older than him. She, their mother, and Daniels are extremely close, according to People, and Jackson is very public in her pride and praise toward both her kids on social media. The young quarterback has been vocal about his mother's support, speaking about Jackson on The Pivot Podcast in December 2023.
“My mother has never missed a game,” he said. "If it’s raining out there, she’s going to be out there. If it’s minus [negative] degrees, she’s going to be out there standing up the whole time making sure she’s cheering me on.”
Why did Jayden Daniels' mom go viral on social media?
A video of Jackson on the field before Daniels' game against the Giants last Sunday went viral, supposedly for her outfit. The video posted by ABC's Washington D.C. affiliate reporter Scott Abraham on X (previously Twitter) has garnered 13.4 million views as of Monday, Sept. 23.
Commanders team owner Mark Ein talking with Jayden Daniels’ Mom before the game pic.twitter.com/luWFgSDcNZ
— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) September 15, 2024
Several users in the replies commented on Jackson's build, with some asking if she was single and comparing her to superhero Elastigirl from "The Incredibles." Some also mentioned her stance, which is slightly wider than average.
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Jayden Daniels' mom recruiting violations
In late April 2024 before the NFL Draft, reports surfaced that Jackson was being accused of recruiting violations from the COVID no-visit period. Daniels was the quarterback for Arizona State from 2019 to 2021 before transferring to LSU his senior year, and his mother allegedly bought flights and housing for recruits who were visiting the school during the dead period, per 247Sports.
Former Sun Devil head coach Herm Edwards agreed to a five-year show-cause penalty for his role in the violations, a deal he negotiated with the NCAA's Committee on Infractions. Additionally, the school has agreed to disaffiliate with Jackson for five years.
