Former New York Jets wide receiver Derrick Gaffney
Published on March 19, 2025 at 1:09 pm
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Former New York Jets wide receiver Derrick Gaffney — the brother of former Jacksonville City Council members Don and Reggie Gaffney Sr. — has died at age 69.
Gaffney, the uncle of current council member Reggie Gaffney Jr., attended Raines High School then went to the University of Florida in 1977 to play for the Gators. He was remembered for the longest play of his college career: a 99-yard catch-and-run to help beat Rice University by a score of 48-3.
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Gaffney was selected by the Jets in the eighth round of the 1978 draft and played seven seasons with them, according to an obituary posted by the Jets.
For his NFL career, spent entirely with the Jets, Gaffney played in 100 games (69 starts) and had 156 receptions for 2,613 yards and seven touchdowns, plus nine more catches for 121 yards and a TD in four postseason games after the ’81 and ’82 regular seasons.
The Gaffney family tree produced two more pros in Derrick’s son, wide receiver Jabar Gaffney, and his nephew, cornerback Lito Sheppard, the Jets said.
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The Gaffneys last year became the only father-son duo to be named to the Florida Times-Union’s 100 Greatest Athletes list. Jabar checked in at No. 51, bumping dad Derrick to No. 69.
Reggie Gaffney Jr. issued a statement Wednesday about the death of his uncle. He called him “a son of Jacksonville, a standout at William M. Raines High School, a record-setting Florida Gator, and a dedicated professional in the NFL. More than that, he was a beloved father, mentor, and pillar of strength for our family.”
Gaffney called his uncle’s journey from the Northside to the national stage nothing short of inspiring.
“His passing is a tremendous loss, not only to our family but to the countless lives he touched,” Gaffney said. “While we grieve, we also honor the life he lived and the example he set. His influence will live on in our hearts, in records across America, and in the great city of Jacksonville.”
A viewing for Derrick Gaffney will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. March 28 at Emanuel Missionary Baptist Church, at 2407 Rev. S.L. Badger, Jr. Circle in Jacksonville, News4Jax reported.
