EXCLUSIVE: Ahead of Week 3, New York Jets defensive tackle Jowon Briggs spoke to The Mirror U.S. about his background in music - and how it readied him for the NFL
Jowon Briggs is a man of many layers after growing up while learning to play instruments and star on stage
Jowon Briggs is a man of many layers after growing up while learning to play instruments and star on stage(Image: Getty Images)
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As Jowon Briggs described himself, he’s a man of many facets.
On the surface, Briggs is a hard-hitting defensive tackle for the New York Jets coming off one of the more impressive performances of his career against the Green Bay Packers. But underneath, the 25-year-old became proficient at playing 12 different instruments, including the piano, violin, and saxophone, while he also developed an affinity for singing.
“When I was younger, I actually was trying to do everything that my sisters and parents had done; singing, dancing, ballet, art, playing all kinds of instruments, and acting,” Briggs exclusively told The Mirror U.S. “I got the chance to try a bit of everything, and I’m thankful for that for my parents and family.
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“I didn’t lean into playing football until middle school really. I didn’t treat football as a path to anything. It was just another thing I was doing until ninth grade, when I got my first offer. That was when I realized it would be a smart path to the best education possible so I’d be set up for life. Then it just spiraled, but it came naturally to me. I’ve never been a stranger to doing more for what you want. I put the other hobbies on the backburner and focused on football.”
But even in college, Briggs stuck with singing. After committing to Virginia, he joined the University Singers and its chamber choir armed with his powerful tenor voice. Briggs even sang in an a cappella group called The Hullabahoos, touring and performing in London in 2020.
“It was fun to be able to go and spread joy through music overseas,” Briggs continued. “We did a lot of different gigs out there. We went and performed in church, but the one I remember most, we performed on the steps of an elementary school, and the kids were just having fun, loving it, and man, it was very fun to connect with people in a different way abroad.”
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Ahead of the 2025 NFL season, Jowon Briggs was traded to the Jets, where he has steadily become a developing star
Ahead of the 2025 NFL season, Jowon Briggs was traded to the Jets, where he has steadily become a developing star(Image: Getty Images)
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While he traded microphones for pads and helmets on a professional basis, Briggs has still dabbled in music even at the NFL level. During a special teams meeting, he was called upon by coach Chris Banjo, who had heard about his vocal talents. Briggs delivered, being called out Tevin Campbell's 1990s R&B hit “Can We Talk”.
“Coach Banjo just ran over and was like, ‘Can you sing something for me?’” Briggs recalled. “Why not? It’s funny letting people see a different facet of you. Luckily, you know, I got a couple different facets.”
Briggs has developed his arsenal of talents, attempting to be as well-rounded as possible. He believes his background in music and theatre has helped him become the player he is today, adding: “It’s a matter of being comfortable in what some may consider an uncomfortable situation, but it’s funny, even when it comes to a performance, as long as you’re prepared, you should find comfort in that fact.
“You just need to go out there and do it. Performing music is the same as watching tape and creating good practice habits. You need to practice over and over again, and that preparation is what brings comfort when executing in the moment.”
In his words
You grew up with four older sisters and a younger brother, and have described growing up in that household as like a ‘Battle of the Bands’. What was it like growing up in that environment?
“It was nice. It definitely taught you to be very confident in yourself and confident in what you're trying to do because you will get judged for it immediately. And that's kind of something that I kind of stick with something that I'm very thankful for. It helped prepare me for the world. It was a trial by fire before you step out of the house, so it was a lot of fun.”
You transferred back to Cincinnati from Virginia - what did it mean to return home?
“It was more because my wife had become pregnant at that point. She's from Philadelphia, and I’m from Cincinnati, so would we rather go to Temple or UC? We chose UC. We ended up getting some help from my parents, but it was overall a great experience.
“I was pretty much doing the same thing I was doing in high school: wake up, early practice, get home from practice, go to work. I worked a job alongside football because this was before NIL really. I would get home and then make dinner, hang out with family. And do it all over again. It was a good experience going back to Cincinnati.
Jowon Briggs sculpted his hard-hitting playstyle while also singing tenor away from football
Jowon Briggs sculpted his hard-hitting playstyle while also singing tenor away from football(Image: Getty Images)
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Late round draft pick for Cleveland, then traded to New York where you’re becoming a significant contributor. What have you learned about your first two years in the NFL?
“I always say I'm so focused on bettering myself and bettering what I'm trying to do and really executing, and making the most out of what I got. Whether it was one play, 20 plays, or no plays, whether it was scout team, or playing fullback or guard on offense, I was making the most out of what I was doing. If I was playing fullback, I’m making sure my steps are nice and getting out to the flat as best and fast as I can. If I’m playing O-line, let me look at my hand placement. I just wanted to deliver on every rep and endear myself to my teammates by executing as best I can.”
You’ve carried over your form from 2025 into 2026, and stuffed the Packers run game on Sunday. What’s been the secret to your form?
“It's just a matter of rigorous tape study - and not only of the opponents, but of myself. I’m looking at individual drills, seeing how my steps are, how my feet are, and just translating that to the game. It’s a matter of improving yourself and then you can help improve people around you by executing what you're supposed to do. Just do your job the best you can do, and sometimes things will roll your way. That’s how I attack every day in practice and every game.”
Week 3 versus the Lions
The Jets fell in a narrow loss to the Packers, with Briggs accounting himself well. He delivered arguably the finest performance of his career, playing 35 snaps and tallying a strip-sack as part of his effective display to restrict the Green Bay offense. Now, Briggs and the Jets defensive line is set to go up against one of the best running backs in the NFL in the form of Jahmyr Gibbs - and he’s ready for the challenge.
“I’m excited, because when you get them down, it's a beautiful thing,” Briggs said of the opportunity to take on Gibbs. “I felt the same way when we played at Atlanta. So I'm just ready, and I know we're ready. I know the D-line is ready to get after it. It's a good opportunity for us, a good challenge for us, and got a lot of family in Detroit, so we're going to have some fun out there.
The 1-1 Jets take on the 1-1 Detroit Lions at Ford Field in Week 3 on Sunday, September 27.