Despite the persistent rumors about Van Jefferson brother, the truth is Van doesn’t have one.
What he does have, however, are two wonderful sisters who are an integral part of his life.
Among them, one harbors an ambitious dream of making her mark in the sports industry, no doubt fueled by the inspiration she draws from her brother and parents.
Vanchi LaShawn Jefferson Jr. is a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL), currently playing for the Atlanta Falcons.
His college football career saw him excel at Ole Miss and Florida, leading to his selection by the Los Angeles Rams in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
In a strategic move, the Rams traded wide receiver Brandin Cooks to the Houston Texans to secure this pick.
As of October 10, 2023, Jefferson made a significant move to the Atlanta Falcons, involving late-round picks in the 2025 NFL Draft swap.
Jefferson’s Family Tree:Â Van Jefferson Brother Only Exist In Rumors
Born on July 26, 1996, he is the only son of his parents, Shawn Jefferson and Marla Jefferson, so the rumored ‘Van Jefferson brother’ doesn’t exist.
He was raised alongside his two sisters, Faith Jefferson and Paige Jefferson, in Brentwood, Tennessee.
Faith, currently in her junior year at the University of Central Florida, is a dedicated student and a proactive UCF Gameday Events Intern at Playfly Sports.
She’s pursuing a major in Entertainment Management with a minor in Sports Business Management, all in pursuit of her dream to thrive in the sports industry.
Her journey is fueled by an unwavering commitment to persistence and hard work, two values she wholeheartedly applies to overcome any challenge that comes her way.
Reflecting on her journey, she embarked on a four-month internship at the Miami Dolphins and Hard Rock Stadium from May 2023.
Prior to that, in August 2022, she took on a part-time role as a sales associate at TJX Companies, Inc.
Additionally, she gained valuable experience as a part-time beauty advisor at Ulta Beauty and cashier at Kings Supermarket, Inc., dedicating four months to each role.
Regarding her education, she commenced her bachelor’s degree in Communication and Media Studies at Hampton University in August 2020.
Subsequently, in 2021, she transitioned to the University of Central Florida – Rosen College of Hospitality Management to pursue her bachelor’s degree in Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management.
The Jefferson Family’s Guiding Values
Shawn Jefferson’s upbringing was marked by the challenges of growing up with six brothers and five sisters in the Jacksonville projects.
His father toiled in construction to provide for their family of 12, while his mother held the household together.
Their family ethos was built on the foundation of hard work and rigorous training, values deeply instilled by Shawn’s father.
Reflecting on those early years, Shawn Jefferson shared in a 1991 interview with the Los Angeles Times,
You see some of your friends getting killed and you realize how grateful you are for a family structure like we had. You have to have a strong mind to resist (drugs and gangs). Your mother and father instill that in you.
In contrast, Van Jefferson grew up in a more privileged suburban setting alongside his two sisters, guided by the nurturing care of his parents, Shawn and Marla Jefferson.
Grounded in a strong faith, the Jeffersons actively engaged in acts of compassion, regularly taking their children to soup kitchens, homeless shelters, and underprivileged neighborhoods to spread kindness.
Marla Jefferson, reflecting on their family’s approach, shared,
We did not want him to grow up looking at life through one type of lens.
This sense of compassion and deep introspection has long been integral to Van Jefferson’s identity.
