Former NFL Pro Bowl wide receiver Laveranues Coles has embarked on a new chapter in his life, joining the Jacksonville Police Department as an officer. A native of Jacksonville, Florida, Coles expressed his enthusiasm for this role, likening it to his time in the NFL. “This job allows me to feel like I”m a part of something greater than myself, like when I was in the NFL,” he told NBC News” Kathy Park. “It”s giving me a sense of purpose and I feel good about it,” he added.
Coles, who had a decade-long NFL career playing for the New York Jets, Cincinnati Bengals, and Washington, is not alone in this unique career transition. The Jacksonville Police Department also employs several former football players, including Detective Jeff Kopp, a former NFL linebacker who spent five seasons in the league, with three of those years at the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Another ex-player, Officer Ernest Wilford, enjoyed a seven-season career as a wide receiver with the Jaguars and the Miami Dolphins. Additionally, former Oklahoma State guard Victor Salako, who was part of practice squads with various teams from 2017 to 2020, is also serving at JPD.
Kopp shared insights about the rewarding nature of their work, noting, “The people who call us, it”s probably their worst day. And you just get to go in there and bring calm, peace, de-escalate the situation, and then just help people figure stuff out.”
When discussing his transition from the football field to law enforcement, Kopp remarked that it feels like a natural fit, although he humorously noted, “there”s a lot more running” in the police academy compared to his NFL days. “I ran more miles in the academy than I ever ran in my life,” he said.
Coles concluded his NFL journey with impressive statistics, totaling 674 receptions for 8,609 yards and 49 touchdowns over 152 games played with the Jets, Washington, and the Bengals. His standout season came in 2003 when he earned his only Pro Bowl selection after catching 82 passes for 1,204 yards and scoring six touchdowns.
