Willie Jefferson is sipping from the fountain of youth nowadays.
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers defensive lineman remains to be competing at a excessive stage in his eleventh CFL season — and shifting up within the league’s report ebook.
Jefferson credit adjustments to his weight-reduction plan through the years as one in every of three the explanation why he’s in a position to keep dominant.
“That’s a testomony to my spouse, (Holly),” he stated after a follow this week. “I’m beginning to eat extra greens. I’m beginning to drink extra water, drink much less pop, eat much less pink meat, much less pork.
“I was actually huge on pork chops, however my spouse and I in the reduction of on that. I attempt to in the reduction of on sweets. I nonetheless love my candies, all my followers that carry me my Skittles.”
The 34-year-old from Beaumont, Texas, continues to get pleasure from his “cheat” meal — a Baconator and strawberry lemonade from Wendy’s the day after a recreation — however moderation is vital.
In his sixth season with the Blue Bombers (6-4), he’s trying ahead to Sunday’s sixtieth annual Labour Day Traditional in Regina in opposition to the league-leading Saskatchewan Roughriders (8-2).
“I do get excited as a result of it’s Labour Day and all of the commotion going round and the rivalry,” he stated. “After which I used to play for that workforce. Had a enjoyable time enjoying for that workforce.”
Jefferson entered the CFL in 2014 with Edmonton, however left after two seasons to affix the Roughriders. After signing with Winnipeg in 2019, he helped the franchise finish its 28-season Gray Cup drought whereas incomes the league’s most excellent defensive participant award.
In 2022, he grew to become the primary participant in CFL historical past to report 50 profession sacks and move knockdowns. His aim is to make it 100 in every class.
He’s as much as 76 profession sacks and 88 move knockdowns. These knockdowns put him in third place all-time, behind defensive backs Eddie Davis (111) and Adrion Smith (90).
Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ Willie Jefferson (5) celebrates his deal with in opposition to the Saskatchewan Roughriders throughout the second half of CFL Banjo Bowl motion in Winnipeg Saturday, September 7, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods.
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In response to Steve Daniel, the CFL’s affiliate vice-president of soccer analytics, there isn’t a different defensive lineman within the listing’s high 30. He stated the next-highest participant who will not be a full-time or hybrid defensive again is linebacker Chip Cox, who’s in fifteenth place with 59 profession move knockdowns.
Jefferson leads the league with 11 knockdowns this season, together with a career-best 4 in an Aug. 1 victory over the Toronto Argonauts that’s one off tying the league’s one-game report. His highest season complete is 16 in 2019, tying him for third place all-time. It’s one behind Jamar Wall and two again of co-leaders Malcolm Frank and Smith (18 every).
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At six-foot-seven, 244 kilos, Jefferson remains to be agile and makes use of his wingspan to his benefit. It’s been measured as much as seven toes one inch, he stated.
He has a brand new bookend on the defensive position this season in James Vaughters, a former Calgary Stampeder who additionally performed with two NFL golf equipment.
“He’s any individual who at all times flashes on the tape. He’s a game-changer,” Vaughters stated of Jefferson. “You form of sense his charisma and his management from outdoors of the workforce. Now it’s extra of a affirmation.”
Jefferson stated adjustments to his coaching and movie examine are two different causes for his talent and longevity.
Coaching inside throughout the winter months is completely different after his household moved year-round to Winnipeg from Texas in 2022, however the father of two younger daughters joins teammates similar to locals Brady Oliveira and Nic Demski to stay to a constant routine.
Jefferson has additionally honed his movie examine and shares his perception with teammates.
“I’ve come up via this league, seen plenty of nice quarterbacks, seen plenty of nice offences, had plenty of superb teammates that confirmed me yearly how I may get higher,” he stated.
The six-time CFL all-star has at all times watched how different defensive linemen play their place. He’s additionally deepened his examine of opposing offences to select up nuances that would present an edge.
It’s recognizing how offensive linemen line up on the ball if it’s a move or run, and the way quarterbacks get into their drops and look earlier than they throw the ball, Jefferson stated.
“It’s lots, however you get used to it,” he stated of movie time. “You write notes and then you definately put this stuff into your pocket book, into your thoughts. Like drill them into your thoughts for that week developing.”
Jefferson’s knowledge is soaked up by youthful teammates similar to defensive deal with Cam Lawson from Caledon, Ont.
“He’s been nice for a very long time and that at all times motivates me to get higher and play higher for him and for our workforce,” Lawson, 26, stated.
As for a way lengthy Jefferson will don a helmet, it’s a query that’s requested after each latest season.
“My reply, like me jokingly answering to my associates and to my household and to my teammates, is simply once they cease paying me, proper?” Jefferson stated with a smile.
However in all seriousness, the reply has to do with efficiency.
“I’ll hold enjoying till I really feel like I can’t contribute at a excessive stage.”
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