All About Justin Jefferson's Parents, Dad John and Mom Elaine

Justin Jefferson’s mom, Elaine, and dad, John, taught him to be humble

Justin Jefferson’s parents, John and Elaine Jefferson, have always supported their son in his career.

Justin has been an NFL player since being drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in 2020, and before that played college football for the Louisiana State University Tigers. He’s received plenty of accolades in his career so far, most notably being named the NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 2022. He is also one of a few NFL receivers to appear in Netflix's latest docuseries Receiver, which follows the 2023-2024 seasons of Justin and other top players.

He comes from a sporting family, too. His brothers, Jordan and Rickey, also played football, while John and Elaine played basketball when they were younger. And, his parents are quick to support him — something he recognizes when thanking them in speeches he makes.

He discussed his stable upbringing in an interview with Bleacher Report in August 2023, saying, “My parents always had money and I was blessed to be a part of a two-parent household that supported me and pretty much gave me anything I needed in the sports aspect and daily life.”

From their own careers to their relationships with their children, here’s everything to know about Justin Jefferson’s parents, John and Elaine Jefferson.

John and Elaine went to the same high school

John and Elaine are from the same area. Both attended Slidell High School in Slidell, La., and the couple eventually settled in nearby Destrehan, La., after college.

They have three sons

Justin is the youngest of John and Elaine’s three children. They have two other sons, Jordan and Rickey, who also played football.

Rickey told the Star Tribune in 2022 that, while the brothers were competitive growing up, there was no negative rivalry. He said, “Our parents, they raised us that way, man. When I see Justin out there, I see myself out there. He’s his own person at the same time. But like, as family, he has our name. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for him.”

John and Elaine both played basketball

John played college basketball for Nebraska Western and Northeast Louisiana (then known as the University of Louisiana Monroe), according to Justin's LSU Athletics profile.

Meanwhile, Elaine also played basketball in high school and John told The Advocate that his wife and her sisters are all almost 6 feet tall. He said that they thought their children would play basketball too, but that they all put football first. He explained, “It wasn’t something we pushed. As a kid they just had the natural gift to play [football].”

Rickey said that he struggled to beat his father at basketball when they played at home, telling ESPN in 2022, “I didn't beat my dad in basketball till I was 19, and we're talking about a dude who had a hip replacement. He was ultra-competitive, and he might have called that foul late in the game that he wouldn't have called earlier.”

John was a salesman while Elaine was an administrator

John worked as an industrial supply salesman, while Elaine worked as an administrator in the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office, per the Star Tribune.

Still, the couple have continued to support Justin at his games since he was drafted into the NFL in 2020.

They taught Justin to be humble

One thing John and Elaine instilled in their sons is humility. Justin told the Star Tribune, “My parents preached to be humble and just take what you’ve been given. And God definitely has given me a great opportunity to have this gift of mine and also have my platform to spread my joy and love of the game on and off the field. All of the things coming my way are definitely God’s blessing.”

Justin told the Minnesota Vikings, “My parents always taught me to be humble," Justin said. "Of course, having two older brothers that also achieved things in their [athletic] careers, I kind of got to see it from being a young kid."

He continued, “[My parents have always been] telling me to be grateful for what I'm doing, what God has blessed me with and just always counting those blessings every time I get an accolade or break a record.”

John and Elaine are close to their children

The family are close to each other, and Justin has paid tribute to them a number of times over his career.

After Justin was named the 2022 Offensive Player of the Year during the NFL Honors ceremony, he said, “I’ve got to thank my parents, John and Elaine Jefferson. Y’all made me into the man I am today. I appreciate y’all so much. My brothers, Jordan and Rickey, y’all made me into who I am. Y’all were so hard on me; all the countless times I cried at home, y’all were the reason that I’m tough. I appreciate y’all. More to come, more to come.”

At a press conference in June 2024, after Justin signed a contract extension with the Vikings, he said, “Shout out to my parents. Shout out to Jordan, shout out to Rickey and shout out to all of my family members. I have a great support system in every single thing that I do — from the time I was a little kid 'til now, being in the league and playing professionally. They've been here every step of the way. I could not ask for better family members."

Justin took John and Elaine to Rome with him in 2024

According to Essence, Justin took his parents to Rome with him as part of a trip with the travel marketplace GetYourGuide, which was collaborating with an athlete investment business that Justin is an investor in, in June 2024.

Elaine said in a recap video, “Traveling as a family is very important. I feel like we’ve become closer together.” Meanwhile, Justin said, “This trip, definitely unforgettable. So what’s next?”

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