Jacksonville Jaguars Announce Powerful

Community Initiative: Hiring People Experiencing Homelessness to Clean EverBank Stadium After Games

When the final whistle blows and tens of thousands of fans file out of EverBank

Stadium, most people assume the night is over.

The cheers fade, the parking lots empty, and the stadium lights begin to dim.

But the story of game day in Jacksonville does not end there.

Long after the crowd has gone home, a different kind of team steps onto the concourse.

Under the still-lit lights, carrying brooms, trash bags, and cleaning equipment, are men and women who were once overlooked by society.

Now, thanks to a quiet but meaningful initiative by the Jacksonville Jaguars, they are being given something far more powerful than sympathy: opportunity.

Real Jobs, Real Pay, Real Respect

After every weekend home game, the Jaguars hire individuals experiencing homelessness to help clean and restore EverBank Stadium.

These workers are paid $20 per hour, a competitive wage that reflects the value of their labor.

In addition to pay, participants receive hot food, drinks, and basic support, ensuring they are treated with dignity from start to finish.

This is not a volunteer program.

This is not a publicity stunt.

It is real employment — and that distinction matters.

For many participants, this work represents stability, even if only for a night.

It provides income, structure, and the feeling of being trusted with responsibility.

In a system where homelessness often strips people of visibility and self-worth, that trust can be transformative.

Leadership from the Top

The initiative reflects the broader philosophy of Jaguars owner and CEO Shad Khan, whose approach to leadership has consistently emphasized community engagement alongside on-field success.

Rather than relying solely on donations or one-time charity drives, the Jaguars* program addresses a deeper issue: access to dignified work.

By integrating this effort directly into game-day operations, the organization sends a clear message.

Supporting the community is not separate from the business of football — it is part of it.

More Than Stadium Cleanup

On the surface, the job is straightforward: cleaning seats, collecting trash, and preparing the stadium for the next event.

But beneath that surface lies something more meaningful.

For participants, the experience can open doors to future opportunities, references, and renewed confidence.

The program also challenges long-standing stereotypes about homelessness.

Fans may never see these workers during the game, but their contribution is essential.

They help ensure the stadium is safe, clean, and ready — just like any other professional crew.

A Quiet Impact with a Lasting Effect

What makes this initiative especially powerful is its understated nature. There are no dramatic announcements after every game.

No spotlight moments on the field. The work happens quietly, after the applause has ended.

Yet the impact ripples outward.

For workers, it is a reminder that they are capable, needed, and respected.

For the organization, it is proof that professional sports franchises can be agents of meaningful social change.

For fans, it reframes what “home team” truly means.

What Really Happens After the Games?

While fans celebrate victories, analyze play calls, or debate the season ahead, something far more human unfolds behind the scenes.

Under the glow of EverBank Stadium, dignity is restored one shift at a time.

The Jacksonville Jaguars are showing that when the crowd leaves and the noise fades, football can still change lives — not with slogans, but with action.