ARIZONA CARDINALS

Rams WR Van Jefferson gave game ball to his Cardinals assistant dad

Dec 14, 2021, 10:28 AM

Arizona Cardinals assistant coach Shawn Jefferson did not enjoy the moment.

After his son, Los Angeles Rams receiver Van Jefferson, got behind Arizona’s defense for a 52-yard touchdown grab early in the third quarter Monday, cameras immediately panned to Shawn.

The Cardinals receivers coach appeared to be saying some bad words as he prepared his guys to go back on the field.

But Shawn couldn’t hide his pride once the clock ticked to 0:00 and his opponent became his son once again.

Following the 30-23 Rams victory, Van gave his father the game ball. Shawn couldn’t help but put his competitive nature aside and be a proud pop.

That was a nice moment, but Shawn probably won’t be pleased to hear about any of the Rams’ success against Arizona this holiday season if his family has time to get together.

He’s an intense coach. When he was hired in the offseason, he spoke about how he could care less about his son’s success when their division rival teams went up against one another.

“I’m looking forward to kicking his butt twice a year,” Shawn said in February. “That’s what I’m looking forward to, more than anything. It’ll be good just to see him play. We get on that field, I want to kick his butt in every way possible.

“I’m a competitor and he is too, but I’d love nothing more than to have those bragging rights every season of kicking his butt twice a year.”

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Rams WR Van Jefferson gave game ball to his Cardinals assistant dad