Myles Jack’s story goes far beyond the football field. The former NFL linebacker, who once earned nearly $50 million in eight professional seasons, has pivoted to something completely unexpected: he’s now making history as the first African American majority owner in professional hockey.
Biography
Born on September 3, 1995, in Scottsdale, Arizona, Myles Jack’s athletic foundation was built after his family relocated to Bellevue, Washington, during his high school years. At Bellevue High School, he developed into an elite dual-threat athlete under the guidance of coach Butch Goncharoff. His senior season was extraordinary, marked by 98 tackles and 24 sacks, while leading the team to a perfect 14-0 record and a state championship.
Jack’s versatility extended beyond football. He anchored Bellevue’s 2013 state championship 4×100m and 4×400m relay teams and ran the 400-meter dash in an impressive 49.05 seconds. The four-star recruit chose UCLA over Florida State, Stanford, and Washington, setting the stage for his college career.
Career
Jack, during his 2013 freshman season at UCLA, achieved something unprecedented. He became the first player in Pac-12 history to win both Offensive and Defensive Freshman of the Year, playing primarily linebacker while moonlighting at running back in five games. His defensive numbers were remarkable: 75 tackles (second-most by a UCLA freshman), two interceptions, including a pick-six in the Sun Bowl, and a team-leading 11 pass deflections.
Jack also rushed for 267 yards and a team-leading seven touchdowns on just 38 carries. Against Washington, he scored four rushing touchdowns, a feat no UCLA player had matched since Maurice Jones-Drew in 2005.
The defining moment came against Arizona on November 9, 2013. Jack carried 6 times for 120 yards, including a 66-yard touchdown, while recording eight tackles, two pass breakups, and a fumble recovery on defence. He earned Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week honours despite mainly playing defence.
His sophomore season focused on linebacker, where he posted 88 tackles and earned second-team All-Pac-12 honours. However, his junior season lasted just three games before a torn meniscus in his right knee, sustained during a non-contact practice drill, ended his college career on September 22, 2015. The injury revealed degenerative aspects that raised serious NFL draft concerns.
Despite being ranked the #1 linebacker prospect by nearly every major analyst, Jack’s knee concerns caused him to fall out of the first round entirely in the 2016 draft. The Jacksonville Jaguars traded up to select him 36th overall, signing him to a 4-year, $6.33 million rookie contract. Over six seasons, Jack played 88 games and recorded 513 tackles, becoming the sixth-leading tackler in franchise history.
His breakout came in 2017 when Jacksonville’s “Sacksonville” defence carried the team to the AFC Championship Game. But the AFC Championship against New England produced the most heartbreaking moment of his career. With Jacksonville leading 20-10 in the fourth quarter, Jack forced a fumble, recovered it, and had a clear path to a game-sealing touchdown. Officials prematurely blew the whistle, ruling Jack down by contact. The NFL later acknowledged the call was wrong. Tom Brady himself admitted years later, “Oh no, I don’t think he was down.” New England rallied to win 24-20, and “Myles Jack Wasn’t Down” became a rallying cry for Jaguars fans.
Jack earned a massive contract extension on August 31, 2019: a four-year, $57 million deal with $33 million guaranteed. His best statistical season came in 2020 when he recorded a career-high 118 tackles and earned PFF Second-Team All-Pro honours. Jacksonville released him on March 15, 2022, as a cap casualty.
The Steelers signed Jack to a 2-year, $16 million contract in March 2022. He led Pittsburgh in tackles with 104 stops but was released after just one season. What followed were five months of unemployment that prompted serious soul-searching. Jack revealed he’d genuinely considered attending trade school to become a plumber or electrician. “I like to work. I couldn’t sit at home,” he told The Athletic in August 2023. “I’ve been blessed to make a lot of money, but I’m too bored.”
On August 6, 2023, Jack signed with the Philadelphia Eagles but retired just 14 days later after playing only 53 preseason snaps. The retirement lasted three months. He signed with Pittsburgh’s practice squad in November 2023 and played four games, including a playoff appearance, before his contract expired in January 2024. As of November 2025, he remains a free agent with no signs of attempting another comeback.
Allen Americans Hockey Team
While football consumed public attention, Jack was building something more lasting. On October 4, 2023, Jack and his mother, LaSonjia, purchased the Allen Americans hockey team, making them the first African American majority owners in ECHL history. Jack’s involvement extends far beyond passive ownership. He attends home and away games, travels on the team bus, and has a genuine passion for hockey operations.
The Allen Americans responded to his leadership, breaking the franchise attendance record during the 2024-25 season. Through partnerships, Jack has expanded to minority ownership stakes in the Jacksonville Icemen, Savannah Ghost Pirates, Lake Tahoe Knight Monsters, and Charlotte Checkers. He reportedly also holds a minority stake in Leeds United soccer club.
Personal Life
Jack keeps his personal life remarkably private. His relationship with Jordan Spencer, a Pepperdine University graduate he dated around his 2016 draft year, has ended. As of November 2025, Jack isn’t married and has no children.
He currently resides in St. Johns County, Florida, where he’s entangled in a significant legal dispute. In September 2025, luxury contractor Amany Yousef filed a lawsuit seeking over $250,000 in unpaid invoices for extensive renovations at Jack’s home. The project scope included a custom driveway with Jack’s initials “big enough to see from Google Earth,” an outdoor kitchen, pool upgrades, and a 20,000-square-foot paver driveway.
Jack alleges he paid approximately $670,000 of the $900,000+ project before stopping payment due to significant construction defects. His attorney claims independent reports show problems, including missing footers and permits. Yousef disputes these claims, providing documentation that all work passed inspection. The case remains unresolved in St. Johns County courts.
Jack’s mother, LaSonjia, plays a central role in his business operations as President/COO of Amsonia Sports and co-owner of the Allen Americans. He describes her as operating like “Mama Shark Tank” for evaluating business opportunities.
Net Worth
Myles Jack’s verified career earnings total $49,138,841 across eight NFL seasons, with 83.6% of the total coming from his Jacksonville contract extension. His estimated net worth is $5 million, although some analysts suggest it could be higher, given Florida’s tax advantages. No state income tax saved Jack several million dollars during his six Jacksonville seasons compared to high-tax states.
Beyond football and hockey, Jack is entrepreneurial. During the 2018-2019 offseason, he launched a hand-poured artisanal candle business focusing on lavender scents. USA Today reported he was “overwhelmed by orders” within two months. His only verified major endorsement is with Under Armour, which signed him before the 2016 draft.