Black History Month Spotlight: Jacoby Brissett
02/23/2021
Black History Month is an annual celebration of the achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their role in U.S. history. For the final week in February 2021, we commemorate NFL Quarterback and AAU Basketball alum Jacoby Brissett.
Jacoby Brissett has become a household name after the 2020 season of the Indianapolis Colts, when they named Brissett as their 2020 NFL Man of the Year nominee. Before the quarterback had to step up in the lime light after Andrew Luck suffered an untimely injury, he had to step up on the basketball court as an AAU Basketball player for the Florida Warriors and Florida Rams.
The Palm Beach Florida native played four years with AAU Basketball before finding his passion for football which led him to be ranked as a four-star recruit and the third best dual-threat quarterback in his class. He committed to the University of Florida, but after only appearing in 14 games, Brissett transferred to North Carolina State University.
With the Wolf Pack, Brissett Was one of just three quarterbacks in the Power 5 conferences with at least 2,000 passing yards, 300 rushing yards, 20 passing TDs and five or less interceptions. His performance drew the attention of the New England Patriots, whom selected Brissett in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft.
From there Brissett was thrust into a starting role early his rookie year and led New England to a 27-0 victory over the Houston Texans in his very first NFL start; Brissett and the Patriots would claim victory in Super Bowl LI later that season. He was traded to the Colts just before the start of the 2017 season, and about a week later was already on the field for the second half of the team's season opener; learning the playbook as he went, Brissett would remain the Colts' starting quarterback the rest of the season, completing 276-of-469 passes for 3,098 yards with 13 touchdowns to seven interceptions, with four rushing touchdowns.
Off the field, the Colts nominated Brissett for their selection for the NFL Man of the Year. It is said that Brissett has been community-minded since entering the NFL in 2016, but those efforts went into over dive this past spring as tensions over racial discrimination and injustice reached a boiling point across the country. Jacoby not only used his words to lead the charge for the Colts' #BreakingBarriers team initiative — which supports organizations and efforts that battle systemic racism and reduce barriers to opportunity with a focus on racial equity, economic and educational mobility, community/police relations, voter education and criminal justice reform — but he has been using his platform as an NFL quarterback to improve the lives of those in the communities in which he lives and works.
His nomination as NFL Play of the Year was as follows or you can read it all here.
Demonstrates Dedication and Commitment to Community Efforts this Year
Jacoby has always been community-minded since entering the NFL in 2016, and particularly since being acquired by the Indianapolis Colts just before the start of the 2017 season. But those efforts went into overdrive this past spring, as tensions over racial discrimination and injustice reached a boiling point across the country. Jacoby not only used his words to lead the charge for the Colts' #BreakingBarriers team initiative — which supports organizations and efforts that battle systemic racism and reduce barriers to opportunity with a focus on racial equity, economic and educational mobility, community/police relations, voter education and criminal justice reform — but he has been using his platform as an NFL quarterback to improve the lives of those in the communities in which he lives and works. Just this year alone, Jacoby has established himself as one of the NFL's leading voices in the battle against systemic racism and police relations with the Black community. This was no more evident than on July 10 and 11, when he hosted his "Start The Cycle" event in his hometown of Riviera Beach, Florida., in which more than 300 bicycles, 200 backpacks and 400 meals were distributed to local children in need, while hundreds that weekend participated in a bike ride throughout town that featured, among others, Jacoby, local youth, local law enforcement and various community leaders. He was able to foster a sense of unity and accountability within the city that has been felt ever since. Jacoby also has been extremely active within the Indianapolis community. He's yet to miss a "Community Monday" opportunity throughout the 2020 season, which to date has seen him actively participate in six meal distributions, a visit to a local juvenile detention center and an open dialogue and discussion with local law enforcement. Jacoby also recently announced a $100,000 donation in his name from the Players Coalition to school systems in both Indianapolis and Palm Beach County, Florida, to provide mobile Wi-Fi hotspots and to cover connectivity subscriptions for hundreds of students utilizing virtual educational methods at home throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. As a leading voice of the Colts' internal 10-player Social Impact Committee, Jacoby has been instrumental in the team's voter registration and education efforts. On Aug. 27, Jacoby and the Committee for Social Justice worked with head coach Frank Reich to cancel practice and meetings and instead spend the day not only ensuring every member of the organization was registered to vote in the upcoming election, but also to strategically plan and map out how the team planned to better impact its community moving forward. "He's very impressive," Reich said of Brissett. "He just has such deep convictions and he has such good instincts and vision in this area. That's what really impressed me."
Demonstrates Dedication and Commitment to Community Efforts in Years Past
On Oct. 10, 2017, Jacoby not only volunteered his time packing meals for Indiana's food insecure population as part of the "Million Meal Marathon," but he also participated that day in the team's "Coffee with Colts and Cops" event, showcasing his dedication and commitment to the Indianapolis community mere days after being acquired by the team. Jacoby hasn't stopped giving since that day — in fact, his footprint has only grown over time. Among Jacoby's numerous community-related endeavors since 2017: he has served as the face of the Colts' "Lids for Kids" event, which results in coats and winter gear being distributed to hundreds of underserved children; he has participated in the Colts' annual "Pamper Her Pink" event, which provides a day of pampering for 10 women impacted by breast cancer; and he has been a constant presence visiting patients at both Riley Hospital for Children and the IU Health Simon Cancer Center.
In 2019, Jacoby hosted his first "Haunted Runway" event, partnering with A Kid Again to throw a Halloween-themed fashion show for kids living with a life-threatening condition. Jacoby not only emceed the event, but he recruited several teammates to accompany the kids down the runway, creating precious memories that will last a lifetime. "I was a kid — I mean, I still am a kid," Brissett said with a laugh. "And they're the ones that are going to change this world, that are going to make this world a better place. And they need people to shed light on them. I'm a product of, 'Anything that you can dream of, you can achieve it,' and I want to be that for as many people as I can — kids, adults, whatever it is. And there's just something about kids that I love to help, and I think it comes from me being a kid and seeing how much that helped me; that it's my duty and it's my job to do the same."
Demonstrates Consistency in Positive Character and Models a Lifestyle of Giving Back
Jacoby Brissett's character transcends the entire locker room. Whether it's his coaches, his fellow quarterbacks, other members of the offense and even his teammates on the defensive side of the ball, Jacoby is counted on daily for his leadership both on and off the field.
Voted a team captain in 2019, Jacoby's blend of authenticity, honesty, wisdom, fearlessness and judgment — all blended together with the right amount of humor and humility — has been key to the team's culture of inclusion and positivity. Simply put, the Colts have set forth a mission to entertain, inspire and unite by winning the right way, and Jacoby is the embodiment of those ideals. "I think Jacoby's natural personality, and why he is such an effective leader, is his energy," former teammate Andrew Luck said. "I certainly saw that first-hand on the football field and at practice. It's his exuberance and this constant battery-filled, 'Go, go, go,' and we've seen that now transcend football and into the community. He's so full of energy. He's so willing to learn and educate himself and help others. He's curious; he knows he doesn't have all the answers and he'll search for the best one. I think he's doing an incredible job. He's a force to make this world a better place and I couldn't be more proud to be his friend." "In the times that we're in right now with social injustice and COVID and everything like that, I think Jacoby has been an example of what we need in this world," Colts linebacker Anthony Walker said. "You talk about selflessness, spreading love and all that stuff — Jacoby exhibits all that in the person that he is every day."
Brissett might not have won the award this year, but we know at the AAU that this young star has a lot more potential for good in the next coming years.
The Palm Beach Florida native played four years with AAU Basketball before finding his passion for football which led him to be ranked as a four-star recruit and the third best dual-threat quarterback in his class. He committed to the University of Florida, but after only appearing in 14 games, Brissett transferred to North Carolina State University.
With the Wolf Pack, Brissett Was one of just three quarterbacks in the Power 5 conferences with at least 2,000 passing yards, 300 rushing yards, 20 passing TDs and five or less interceptions. His performance drew the attention of the New England Patriots, whom selected Brissett in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft.
From there Brissett was thrust into a starting role early his rookie year and led New England to a 27-0 victory over the Houston Texans in his very first NFL start; Brissett and the Patriots would claim victory in Super Bowl LI later that season. He was traded to the Colts just before the start of the 2017 season, and about a week later was already on the field for the second half of the team's season opener; learning the playbook as he went, Brissett would remain the Colts' starting quarterback the rest of the season, completing 276-of-469 passes for 3,098 yards with 13 touchdowns to seven interceptions, with four rushing touchdowns.
Off the field, the Colts nominated Brissett for their selection for the NFL Man of the Year. It is said that Brissett has been community-minded since entering the NFL in 2016, but those efforts went into over dive this past spring as tensions over racial discrimination and injustice reached a boiling point across the country. Jacoby not only used his words to lead the charge for the Colts' #BreakingBarriers team initiative — which supports organizations and efforts that battle systemic racism and reduce barriers to opportunity with a focus on racial equity, economic and educational mobility, community/police relations, voter education and criminal justice reform — but he has been using his platform as an NFL quarterback to improve the lives of those in the communities in which he lives and works.
His nomination as NFL Play of the Year was as follows or you can read it all here.
Demonstrates Dedication and Commitment to Community Efforts this Year
Jacoby has always been community-minded since entering the NFL in 2016, and particularly since being acquired by the Indianapolis Colts just before the start of the 2017 season. But those efforts went into overdrive this past spring, as tensions over racial discrimination and injustice reached a boiling point across the country. Jacoby not only used his words to lead the charge for the Colts' #BreakingBarriers team initiative — which supports organizations and efforts that battle systemic racism and reduce barriers to opportunity with a focus on racial equity, economic and educational mobility, community/police relations, voter education and criminal justice reform — but he has been using his platform as an NFL quarterback to improve the lives of those in the communities in which he lives and works. Just this year alone, Jacoby has established himself as one of the NFL's leading voices in the battle against systemic racism and police relations with the Black community. This was no more evident than on July 10 and 11, when he hosted his "Start The Cycle" event in his hometown of Riviera Beach, Florida., in which more than 300 bicycles, 200 backpacks and 400 meals were distributed to local children in need, while hundreds that weekend participated in a bike ride throughout town that featured, among others, Jacoby, local youth, local law enforcement and various community leaders. He was able to foster a sense of unity and accountability within the city that has been felt ever since. Jacoby also has been extremely active within the Indianapolis community. He's yet to miss a "Community Monday" opportunity throughout the 2020 season, which to date has seen him actively participate in six meal distributions, a visit to a local juvenile detention center and an open dialogue and discussion with local law enforcement. Jacoby also recently announced a $100,000 donation in his name from the Players Coalition to school systems in both Indianapolis and Palm Beach County, Florida, to provide mobile Wi-Fi hotspots and to cover connectivity subscriptions for hundreds of students utilizing virtual educational methods at home throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. As a leading voice of the Colts' internal 10-player Social Impact Committee, Jacoby has been instrumental in the team's voter registration and education efforts. On Aug. 27, Jacoby and the Committee for Social Justice worked with head coach Frank Reich to cancel practice and meetings and instead spend the day not only ensuring every member of the organization was registered to vote in the upcoming election, but also to strategically plan and map out how the team planned to better impact its community moving forward. "He's very impressive," Reich said of Brissett. "He just has such deep convictions and he has such good instincts and vision in this area. That's what really impressed me."
Demonstrates Dedication and Commitment to Community Efforts in Years Past
On Oct. 10, 2017, Jacoby not only volunteered his time packing meals for Indiana's food insecure population as part of the "Million Meal Marathon," but he also participated that day in the team's "Coffee with Colts and Cops" event, showcasing his dedication and commitment to the Indianapolis community mere days after being acquired by the team. Jacoby hasn't stopped giving since that day — in fact, his footprint has only grown over time. Among Jacoby's numerous community-related endeavors since 2017: he has served as the face of the Colts' "Lids for Kids" event, which results in coats and winter gear being distributed to hundreds of underserved children; he has participated in the Colts' annual "Pamper Her Pink" event, which provides a day of pampering for 10 women impacted by breast cancer; and he has been a constant presence visiting patients at both Riley Hospital for Children and the IU Health Simon Cancer Center.
In 2019, Jacoby hosted his first "Haunted Runway" event, partnering with A Kid Again to throw a Halloween-themed fashion show for kids living with a life-threatening condition. Jacoby not only emceed the event, but he recruited several teammates to accompany the kids down the runway, creating precious memories that will last a lifetime. "I was a kid — I mean, I still am a kid," Brissett said with a laugh. "And they're the ones that are going to change this world, that are going to make this world a better place. And they need people to shed light on them. I'm a product of, 'Anything that you can dream of, you can achieve it,' and I want to be that for as many people as I can — kids, adults, whatever it is. And there's just something about kids that I love to help, and I think it comes from me being a kid and seeing how much that helped me; that it's my duty and it's my job to do the same."
Demonstrates Consistency in Positive Character and Models a Lifestyle of Giving Back
Jacoby Brissett's character transcends the entire locker room. Whether it's his coaches, his fellow quarterbacks, other members of the offense and even his teammates on the defensive side of the ball, Jacoby is counted on daily for his leadership both on and off the field.
Voted a team captain in 2019, Jacoby's blend of authenticity, honesty, wisdom, fearlessness and judgment — all blended together with the right amount of humor and humility — has been key to the team's culture of inclusion and positivity. Simply put, the Colts have set forth a mission to entertain, inspire and unite by winning the right way, and Jacoby is the embodiment of those ideals. "I think Jacoby's natural personality, and why he is such an effective leader, is his energy," former teammate Andrew Luck said. "I certainly saw that first-hand on the football field and at practice. It's his exuberance and this constant battery-filled, 'Go, go, go,' and we've seen that now transcend football and into the community. He's so full of energy. He's so willing to learn and educate himself and help others. He's curious; he knows he doesn't have all the answers and he'll search for the best one. I think he's doing an incredible job. He's a force to make this world a better place and I couldn't be more proud to be his friend." "In the times that we're in right now with social injustice and COVID and everything like that, I think Jacoby has been an example of what we need in this world," Colts linebacker Anthony Walker said. "You talk about selflessness, spreading love and all that stuff — Jacoby exhibits all that in the person that he is every day."
Brissett might not have won the award this year, but we know at the AAU that this young star has a lot more potential for good in the next coming years.
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