SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. – Jayden Daniels has made the NFL his oyster this season. The Washington Commanders quarterback’s five-touchdown performance in a 36-33 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 16 proves this point.
“I’m absolutely blown away,” former Dallas Cowboys head coach and current Football Night in America commentator Jason Garrett said. “In 2016, we had Dak Prescott as a rookie, and he got pressed into service for us. He played unbelievably well and got 13 wins for us. I don’t know that I’ve ever seen a rookie quarterback do what this guy is doing with his feet, with his arm, in the big moments.”
The captains ? pic.twitter.com/L14MNBKgiI
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) December 22, 2024
If that showing does not make you a believer then Daniels’ seasonal statistics will. Daniels has completed 69 percent of his passes. He’s gone over the 3,000 yards passing in a season milestone (3,303 yards after Week 16) and has led the Commanders to their first winning season since 2016.
The way Daniels has played during the 2024 NFL season has made him the favorite to win the Rookie of the Year award. But what you won’t find in Daniels’ stat lines is his thoughtfulness and giving heart.
For the folks closest to Daniels and those living in the San Bernardino community, Daniels’ heart and mind are embedded in the place he calls home.
That’s because, before all the glitz and glamour that comes with being named as a Heisman Trophy winner and the No. 2 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Daniels was part of the pulse of the Cajon High School community heartbeat long before he became the face of an NFL franchise.
He grew up in the San Bernardino community. And he has not forgotten his roots. On Dec. 7, 2024, Daniels held his first Christmas toy drive for local students in the community at Cajon High School.
As many as 500 students were gifted with toys, Christmas gifts, and lunch distributed by Raising Canes. Daniels said why it was important for him to give back to the community he was a part of growing up.
“Just to give back hope and inspiration,” Daniels said.
Daniel’s mother, Regina Jackson, said the toy drive is a project that her son has always wanted to do.

“Jayden’s thought process is he’s been wanting to give back to his school since he got drafted into the league,” Jackson remarked. “That’s what he wanted to do. When we tried to plan it was based on his bye week and things like that. I would say that we started planning getting the toys probably the last month.”
Danny Tillman, a board member of the San Bernardino City Unified School District, had nothing but praise for Daniels for extending himself back to the community.
“It’s amazing,” Tillman said. “Without Jayden this wouldn’t be happening. But just his presence here shows kids that success is possible and that positiveness is immeasurable. I’ve known Jayden since he played Pop Warner, and not only is he a tremendous athlete, but he’s an even better person. So it’s just a beautiful thing for San Bernardino.”
When talking about Daniels’ humble beginnings to his stature today as one of the best football players in the world, Tillman beams with pride.
“You don’t expect somebody to be a Heisman Trophy winner,” Tillman said. “You don’t expect somebody to be Rookie of the Year. It’s a surreal experience for me. See, I knew his grandfather. We worked together at the county.”
“I’ve watched Jayden since (he) was eight years old. He’s always had the ability, but you never know if that person is going to be the best in the world. It’s truly amazing and then have the heart to want to come back and give back to the community that helped him,” he added.

Daniels spent his time at the toy drive, meeting and greeting students, and parents, autographing shirts and other memorabilia. He also took time to take pictures with well-wishers as well.
Nick Rogers knows a thing or two about Daniels’ charitable side. He also knows what Daniels is like as a competitor. The Cajon High School head football coach helped guide Daniels during his formative years as a quarterback. Daniels has not changed, Rogers said.
“I guess, you know, you always kind of wonder when they get to that kind of success, where they’re going to be..like their headspace,” Rogers said. “He’s the same kid, and that’s what’s so refreshing to see him. The city’s really embraced him; he’s embraced the city, the way he treats it, and comes back and supports it. You couldn’t ask for a better kid.”
Jackson said for Daniels, giving back to the San Bernardino family was a mandate.
“He was born and raised out here,” Jackson replied.“I went to Cajon High School. I’m an alumnus of Cajon and he just really feels that this is the city that made him and he’ll never turn his back on the city that made him.”
Daniels discussed the importance of returning home and being in a position to do for others.
“It means the world to me,” Daniels quipped. “It means a lot. [It’s] something that I’m big on.”
Top Image Caption: LANDOVER, MD – DECEMBER 22: Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) rushes upfield attempting to evade Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Darius Slay Jr. (2) during the Philadelphia Eagles game versus the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium on December 22, 2024, in Landover, MD. (Photo by Lee Coleman/Icon Sportswire)

Dennis has covered and written about politics, crime, race, sports, and entertainment. Dennis currently covers the NFL, MLB, NBA, NCAA, and Olympic sports. Dennis is the editor of News4usonline.com and serves as the publisher of the Compton Bulletin newspaper. He earned a journalism degree from Howard University. Email Dennis at dfreeman@news4usonline.com
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