Former NFL Pro Bowler Starts Career as Fla. Sheriff's Officer

Laveranues Coles, a star wide receiver with the Jets, Redskins and Bengals during his 10-year NFL career, has joined the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office after completing the academy.

By Matt Connolly

Source pennlive.com

Nov. 5, 2025

2 min read

What to know

Former NFL wide receiver Laveranues Coles has joined the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office after completing the academy.
Coles, a Florida State standout and 10-year NFL veteran with the Jets, Redskins and Bengals, was congratulated by his partner and FSU Athletics for his new role in law enforcement.
The former Pro Bowler, who helped FSU win a national championship, transitions from professional football to public service in Jacksonville.

Former NFL wide receiver Laveranues Coles has joined the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.

Former NFL star Laveranues Coles, who played for the Jets, Redskins and Bengals across his 10 years in the NFL, has started a new career.

Coles has completed police academy and is now a police officer with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office announced the news on social media last month, and his partner, Tiffany Upshaw, posted about Coles’ accomplishment on Instagram.

“Congratulations to my love, @lcoles87! From a phenomenal 11-season career playing across 30 fields, to stepping into one new field…the line of duty,“ she posted. ”We love you, are beyond proud of you, and will always support you in this next chapter!

“May God continue to bless your path and keep you safe! 💙🖤 Thank you to those who’ve supported LC through this journey! You all are appreciated!"

The Florida State athletics department also congratulated Coles in a post. He starred for Florida State during his college playing days.

“Congratulations to former @FSUFootball wide receiver Laveranues Coles on becoming an officer with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office!" FSU posted on X.

Laveranues Coles helped the Seminoles to a national championship during his college career before being selected by the New York Jets in the third round of the 2000 NFL Draft.

He spent three seasons with New York before signing with the Redskins and making the Pro Bowl in 2003. Coles caught 82 passes for 1,204 yards and 6 touchdowns that season.

After two years in Washington, he returned to the Jets, where he would spend four years. His last season in the NFL came with the Bengals in 2009.

Coles topped the 1,000-yard mark three times in his career and caught 674 passes for 8,609 yards and 49 touchdowns across his 10 NFL seasons.

Now he is starting a new career as a police officer in Jacksonville.

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