NFL · Biography
Tony Jefferson
Safety · Los Angeles Chargers · active · OU 2010-2012
Hard-hitting safety who un-retired and is still going strong
Tony Jefferson grew up in San Diego and starred at Eastlake High School in Chula Vista, California, where he helped win a CIF title.
At Oklahoma (2010–2012), Jefferson made an immediate splash as Big 12 co-Defensive Freshman of the Year and later earned first-team All-Big 12 honors in 2012. He left for the NFL after his junior season.
Undrafted in 2013, he signed with the Arizona Cardinals and proved the doubters wrong, spending four seasons in Arizona. In March 2017 he signed a four-year, $34 million contract with the Baltimore Ravens. He later had stops with the San Francisco 49ers and New York Giants and returned to the Ravens.
His story took a unique turn in May 2023, when he announced his retirement and rejoined the Ravens as a scout. A year later, on May 28, 2024, he announced he was coming back to play. He joined the Los Angeles Chargers in 2024 and re-signed with them on a one-year deal on March 18, 2026.
As of October 8, 2026, Jefferson is an active safety for the Chargers, a remarkable comeback for the former undrafted Sooner.