“That Kid Jayden” gets a Hometown Hero’s Welcome: It Takes A Village

The Heisman Trophy winner is celebrated with a parade, received a Key to the City and Cajon High School Football Stadium named in his Honor.

By Angela M. Coggs

SAN BERNARDINO — The cold temperature and rain did not stop the residents of San Bernardino from celebrating Cajon High School graduate Jayden Daniels with a parade on Saturday, January 20, 2024.

Jayden Daniels, affectionally known as, “That Kid Jayden” received a hometown welcome fit for the Legend he is destined to become. The Heisman Trophy winner returned to San Bernardino with a parade, presented with a key to the city by Mayor Helen Tran and a stadium renamed in his honor.

Daniels returned to his hometown as a 2023 Heisman Trophy winner, college football’s most prestigious award, after a record-setting season at Louisiana State University (LSU). Winning this honor has been a dream of his since he was 10 years old. Daniels had the support of the community as evinced by everyone taking to social media to encourage everyone to cast their vote daily for him to be the Heisman trophy winner.

His quiet demeaner and bright smile broke through the clouds and rain as he presided over the very football field he once dominated. “I’m happy to see all the kids out here,” Daniels said. “I hope I give you all hope and inspiration. I love everyone from San Bernardino and I’m happy to be from San Bernardino.”

Family, friends, and fans defied the downpour as they waited on the crowded Cajon football field for the LSU quarterback’s Mardi Gras-themed float starting at California State University, San Bernardino and ending at Cajon High Schools football field.

Once Daniels appeared on stage, he was showered with kind remarks and honors from various local dignitaries. San Bernardino Mayor Helen Tran presented Daniels with a key to the city before proclaiming Jan. 20th as “Jayden Daniels Day” in San Bernardino. “May this honor reflect our gratitude for the pride and joy Jayden has brought to us and may his success continue to inspire generations to come,” Tran said. “Your achievements resonate with us all.”

Daniels became the city’s first Heisman Trophy winner, after completing 236 of 327 passes for 3,812 yards and 40 touchdowns for LSU this past season. The senior also rushed for 1,134 yards and 10 touchdowns. He became the school’s third Heisman Trophy winner, joining quarterback Joe Burrow (2019) and halfback Billy Cannon (1959).

Daniels’ 2023 season was acknowledged with several other annual college football awards, including the Davey O’Brien Award, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, Walter Camp Player of the Year and Associated Press Player of the Year. He also earned consensus All-American status.

While in high school, Daniels spent four years as a varsity quarterback, leading coach Nick Rogers’ Cajon Cowboys to a CIF-SS Division 4 Championship in 2017. He used his dual-threat ability to compile 12,482 total yards and 153 total touchdowns in his high school career and established himself as a four-star prospect in the 24/7sports composite rankings. His on-field prowess earned him a scholarship to Arizona State University to play for head coach Herman Edwards and associate head coach Antonio Pierce, now head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders. Daniels is the third Heisman Trophy winner from LSU. The other two to receive the honor, Billy Cannon and Joe Burrow. Daniels racked up 50 total touchdowns in the Purple and Gold during the 2023 season.

Despite his high school success, Daniels never owned a Cajon letterman’s jacket until when the San Bernardino City Unified School District Board of Education presented him with one Saturday.

“I don’t even know what to say,” Daniels said. “I’m just blessed for everyone supporting me. …  I appreciate everyone who came out here who’s supported me since I was a kid and they watched me grow up.”

The crowd was asked to turn its attention to the Cajon football stadium press box as a banner dropped and read “Jayden Daniels Stadium.” This was an emotional moment in time as the crowd exploded with cheers and tears.

“Just to have a stadium named after me is dope and something I never could have dreamed of. I’m proud to be from San Bernardino,” he said.

The driving force behind any successful person is typically the love and support of family. For Daniels, his cup surely ‘runneth over’. Family gives the roots to stand tall and strong, without “them” we would all fall. Not only does his mother and father stand in support, both sides of his family have always loved and supported him from day one. However, some important, key family members were not there, and it was felt by all. “Our immediate and entire family from coast to coast is beyond proud of our nephew Jayden Daniels, the 2023 Heisman Trophy Winner. As well as our brother, Javon Daniels and our father, the late Danny Daniels, who both played a major part in supporting Jayden and always being available to him during this long process,” said his paternal aunts Feledier “Let” Thrower and Yolanda “Angel” Cohill. “We were overwhelmed with tears of joy. Although our parents are no longer with us, they would be proud. Our daddy’s name (Daniels) will be a legacy with the Jayden Daniels Football Stadium as well as throughout San Bernardino and the nation,” exclaimed the sisters with tears in their eyes. “We are forever grateful to God be the glory.”

Family support is number one, however teachers are privy to having a front row seat to greatness in the making. “As a teacher you often talk to your students about their future, their goals and their dreams. To be able to watch one of your former students be able to realize part of that dream is amazing,” stated Mrs. Singer, Daniels former middle school English teacher. “In my class we had two mantras: ‘Believe it, Achieve it’ and ‘Show up and Show out’. Jayden had the belief in himself and now he is on his way to achieving all he has dreamed of. He has proven to show up and show out time after time and I am excited to see all the great things he will do in the future,” Singer said proudly. I know today will be the first of many honors as Jayden continues to change the narrative of San Bernardino.”

Daniels will take the next step in his football career as he pursues a career in the National Football League. He’s been projected by ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. to go as high as a top-five pick in the NFL draft in April. The draft will take place in Detroit, starting on Apr. 25, 2024.

The quarterback signed fans’ memorabilia which included tiny footballs, Cajon and LSU hats and a Raiders jersey.

Mattison, who starred at San Bernardino High School and Boise State University, participated in the parade and spoke on stage after embracing Daniels.

“I remember back in the day when he was running for the TJ Striders,” the Vikings running back said. “He was a quiet, humble and fast kid blazing it on the track, but now you’re blazing a new path that brings hope for a kid who was told he couldn’t and breeds confidence for a kid who’s never seen it before.”

In addition to the local community coming out to support Daniels, one of his friends and former classmates proudly watched the live stream from Japan even though it was 3am. He did not want to miss witnessing the momentous event. “I am proud and excited for my friend Jayden to be living the dream we all knew he was capable of. It shows that his hard work, dedication, and determination paid off,” remarked Yonathan Habtemariam. “All though he has made it this far, I know this is just the beginning for him. He’s an inspiration of character and will continue to be for the younger generation especially for the youth in San Bernardino.” Habtemariam and Daniels met in the sixth grade and have been friends since they attended Richardson Prep High Middle School and graduated from Cajon High School in 2019.

Another person that was very instrumental during Daniels formative years was Ernie Burries, former football coach and current teach at Arroyo Valley High School. “Jayden has always been a star and one of if not the best player on the team every year he played football. Jayden has always been humble like his dad Javon yet on the field ready to take care of business like his mother Regina off the field.”

Burries unapologetically declared, “Jayden would be one of a few players that would get up and ride with me to the gym at 5am work out and still get to school on time and excel in the classroom.” When asked about Daniels work ethic on the field and football IQ, without hesitation his former coach stated, “Jayden was and has always been a student of the game and because of that, he is and was smarter than a lot of us coaches. Jayden made all of those who have ever coached him look good and better than we were and we all definitely appreciate him for that.” Burries has been very supportive to all his former players. “Personally, I try to always support any and all of the kids I have coached and or mentored. I’ve seen him play in Arizona, in Washington verses his former teammate Jeremiah Martin, and at Death Valley. He along with other former collegiate players are just as excited seeing us come out as we are seeing them play.” That kind of support is priceless. “Jayden has a solid foundation around him and even if not for the football success he is/was destined to be great.”

Although it was an accomplishment to leave San Bernardino in pursuit of an education, whilst achieving his lifelong dreams and goals…. Having a key to the City will ensure and remind Daniels that San Bernardino is his forever home and he is welcomed home anytime. He is the holder of the key to San Bernardino and his future. San Bernardino believes in you, Jayden. This writer will continue to pray for and will always believe in you. Stay the course and keep your eye on the prize. This is your HOME.