The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Men's Hall of Honor spotlight: Quentin Jammer
11.10.2013 | Football, T-Association
Jammer was inducted into the Hall of Honor on Nov. 1
By Lauren Giudice, Texas Media Relations
Former Longhorn Quentin Jammer is one of the many reasons that UT is called "DB U," code for Defensive Backs University. On Nov. 1, he was honored for fostering that legacy when he was inducted into the Longhorn Hall of Honor.
Though Jammer was a unanimous All-American selection at UT and has a decorated 12-year NFL career, he thought it was a joke when he saw the email that he would be inducted. Eventually, he realized that he was truly going to be enshrined in the Hall of Honor.
"It's exciting," Jammer said. "I have all my family here to witness it. It's special to share it with them."
Jammer attended the event with his family, including his three young sons, Kaden, Kalen and Kasen. In addition, his brother and current Longhorn defensive back Quandre Diggs was there.
Despite the 13-year age difference, Diggs and Jammer talk on the phone all the time and are very close. Jammer, who currently plays for the Denver Broncos, understands the pressures of being a UT football player and helps Diggs remember to enjoy his college football experience.
Diggs says he wants to be just like his older brother.
"It makes me very proud," Diggs said. "In my mind he's earned all the awards and recognition he has received. With him being a high profile guy that he is, you would never know that he was a consensus All American, he was a Jim Thorpe Award finalist and you would never know that because he is one of those guys that's so even keeled. It's a tremendous honor for him and it's good for him to have the opportunity to show his kids some of the things that he did when he was here."
Diggs considers Jammer his role model and wants to pattern his life after him. While Diggs appreciates the advice his brother elicits, having Diggs present for his induction meant a lot to Jammer.
"It's huge [that Diggs was in attendance] for the simple fact because he saw all of the hard work that I put in when I was here to get me to this point," Jammer said. "It will be good to enjoy this with him and my family and one day, further along the road, I will be here to support him."
Diggs is currently in his junior year at UT and aims to maintain that legacy of DB U that his brother helped create. During his time at Texas, Jammer was a two-time Big 12 Conference first team selection and set a school record with 57 pass breakups to go with 195 career tackles and seven interceptions. He only allowed one touchdown pass in his 28 career starts at cornerback.
Diggs was inducted alongside former teammate Roy Williams. Williams, a former UT and NFL wide receiver, said his career would not be nearly as successful if he hadn't been matched up against Diggs in college.
"He is a big physical corner," Williams said. "He always put his hands on my chest, I probably still have his fingerprints on my chest."
Jammer was chosen with the fifth overall pick by the San Diego Chargers in the 2002 NFL Draft. While with the Chargers, he played in 172 games with 161 starts and had 137 passes defended with 21 interceptions. He played his first 11 seasons there and signed a free agent contract with the Broncos in 2013.
But what Jammer appreciates the most about his experience at UT was the family atmosphere that his coaches and teammates created. He said he enjoys college football because the athletes play the game because they love it and for their teammates.
"This coaching staff put an emphasis on becoming a family with all the team functions that are done and the way they treat you as men," Jammer said. "It definitely means a lot to be a part of that everywhere. You don't get that emphasis of family on every team. "
He describes college as the best time of his life and appreciates the impact that head coach Mack Brown had on his career. When Brown arrived at UT in 1998, Jammer was considering transferring. But Brown convinced him to stay. Jammer said he is happy to share the honor with Brown because he didn't give up on him.
Jammer said being inducted is so special to him because he is now considered in the same caliber as the many athletes that are already in the Hall.
"Those guys that came before you set the bar high," Jammer said. "If you have it in you that you want to go and get that bar and try to surpass it then those guys were your golden ring. That's what you're striving to be, as good or better than. Those guys paved the way for us."