JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – As the year comes to a close, News4JAX is looking back on the notable sports stories that occurred in 2024.
Some of those stories include Raines High School reaching the state championship, the Jaguars owner saying this year’s team was “the best assembled” before being mathematically eliminated from the playoffs after Week 13, and a few locals making an impact at the Paris Olympics.
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The year also saw Jacksonville continue to host iconic matchups like the Georgia-Florida game and clear the final hurdle to secure funding for construction on a new and improved EverBank Stadium. The city also welcomed its first women’s major league sports franchise.
This list is composed of stories that were the most read on News4JAX.com along with the overall biggest storylines of the year.
Continue below to reminisce on a memorable year for sports in Jacksonville, and comment below with the sports storyline you’re looking forward to tracking in 2025!
‘We kind of gave it away’: Epic collapse complete as Jaguars miss playoffs
The Jaguars ended the 2023-2024 season with a disappointing 28-20 loss on the road against the Tennessee Titans. If the Jags had won, they would have booked a ticket to the postseason in back-to-back seasons.
How one ‘super basic’ man stole $22M from his hometown Jaguars and became ‘the biggest loser ever on FanDuel’
After getting a master’s degree in business and landing a job with his hometown Jacksonville Jaguars, Amit Patel used his mid-level position in the team’s finance department to steal more than $22.2 million, according to federal prosecutors.
History! Scottie Scheffler becomes 1st golfer to win back-to-back Players Championships
Scottie Scheffler, battling neck pain all week that forced him to take extended breaks to have a physical therapist work on his aching neck, erased a 5-shot deficit entering the final round and won his second consecutive first-place trophy at The Players Championships by one stroke in a finish he didn’t even see.
Jaguars draft Brian Thomas Jr. in first round
The Jaguars needed a No. 1 receiver to pair with its high-priced receiving corps. They got it in Brian Thomas Jr. (BTJ), a 6′3, 210-pounder who led the nation with 17 touchdown catches while playing at LSU in 2023.
It’s safe to say the pick has already paid dividends. In his rookie year, Thomas broke franchise rookie records for yardage (previous mark was 865) and touchdowns (previous mark was 7), proving to be the ultimate diamond in what has otherwise been a rough season for the Jaguars.
That’s fast: Creekside star Christian Miller posts 3rd fastest U20 100 meter time in world
Creekside senior sprinter Christian Miller broke an American record for U20 runners in 2024, clocking a blazing 9.93 time in the 100-meter dash at the Pure Athletics Spring Invitational in Clermont.
The local sprinter also came close to qualifying for a spot in the 2024 Paris Olympics but missed out by a tenth of a second, roughly the time it takes to blink.
Local athletes head to France for 2024 Olympics
Athletes with ties to the Jacksonville area made appearances at the 2024 Olympics in Paris across a wide range of sports, however, water sports were easily the area where the representation was felt the most.
These are the athletes with ties to the 904 who traveled to Paris for the Olympics.
- Mariandree Chacón, attends Jacksonville University (Track and Field)
- Kyle Coon, Paxon School for Advanced Studies grad (Paratriathlon)
- Caeleb Dressel, born in Green Cove Springs (Swimming) *won two gold medals and a silver medal all from relay events
- McKenna DeBever, Bishop Kenny grad (Swimming)
- Margin Espernberger, Bolles grad (Swimming)
- Eduardo Garcia, Mandarin High School grad (Marathon runner)
- Sabrina Lyn, Bolles grad (Swimming)
- Lucero Mejia Arce, Bolles grad (Swimming)
- Djordje Mihailovic, born in Jacksonville (Soccer)
- Ryan Murphy, Jacksonville native, Bolles grad (Swimming) *won bronze medal in 100m backstroke
- Poe Pinson, born in Fernandina Beach (Skateboarding)
- Morgan Ray, Bartram Trail High School graduate (Para swimming)
- Gemma Wollenschlaeger, St. Augustine Beach native, (Para rowing)
Jaguars ‘Stadium of the Future’ clears final hurdle, approved unanimously by NFL owners
NFL owners voted unanimously to approve the stadium deal between the Jaguars and the City of Jacksonville, clearing the way for the Stadium of the Future to become a reality.
The Jaguars will play in EverBank Stadium as usual in 2025 and then at a reduced capacity in 2026. The big changes will come in 2027 when the Jaguars will play home games at a venue to be determined, likely Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville or Camping World Stadium in Orlando.
‘This is one of the dirtiest hits I’ve ever seen on a QB’: Intense reaction to hit on Trevor Lawrence
The hit that knocked Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence from Sunday’s game against the Texans drew quite a reaction across social media, with NFL analyst and former quarterback Chase Daniel saying it was “the dirtiest hit I’ve ever seen on a QB.”
The hit effectively ended Lawrence’s season, as the team placed him on injured reserve, requiring a minimum four-game absence.
The NFL suspended Houston’s Azeez Al-Shaair without pay for three games for repeated violations of player safety rules following the violent hit, which led to a concussion.
Mayor Deegan, USL officials announce arrival of 1st women’s major league sports franchise in Jacksonville
Officials with the United Soccer League (USL), the University of North Florida, and the City of Jacksonville announced the arrival of the city’s first women’s major league sports franchise.
“Sporting JAX will be a wonderful addition to the league, and we look forward to seeing them take the field at UNF next fall,” said Amanda Vandervort, president of the USL Super League.
Raines reaches state title game
Raines trailed by nine at the half but rallied after a flurry of Booker mistakes to claim a 28-23 victory in the state semifinal.
The Vikings went on to represent Jacksonville in the state championship game, taking on a Miami Northwestern team led by former NFL quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.
Raines would go on to lose the game, but the team put together a fantastic 2024 season, finishing with a 13-1 record and runners-up for their district, which gave their alums plenty of reasons to be excited about next season.
