1JD Films / Origins Docuseries
The 7th Annual Awards
- Best Athlete Storytelling
ABOUT THIS ENTRY
"Origins" is an episodic docuseries produced by the New York Jets’ in-house creative division, One Jets Drive Entertainment. The series offers an in-depth look at individual players' journeys to the NFL, exploring their personal histories and the moments that shaped them. Shot on location across the country, Origins captures the highs and lows, the sacrifices and triumphs, and provides an intimate glimpse into each player’s path to the New York Jets.
How does this represent "Excellence in Engagement"?
The "Origins" series exemplifies excellence in engagement by setting new standards for fan interaction and storytelling. With approximately 3 million aggregate views across our digital and social platforms, including over 100k video views on our website, the series has demonstrated its ability to captivate and connect with fans. The positive reception highlights the importance of humanizing athletes and celebrating their personal journeys. This series not only provides meaningful and relatable content but also inspires other organizations to adopt similar approaches to storytelling and fan engagement. By focusing on the personal stories of athletes, the "Origins" series has created a blueprint for how sports teams can foster a more profound and lasting relationship with their audience.
Objective
The objective of the "Origins" series is to celebrate the unique and challenging paths that athletes take to reach the NFL, where players represent the top 1% of athletes in the country. By showcasing these journeys, the Jets organization aims to honor its players' achievements and share their inspiring stories with the world, fostering a deeper connection between the players and their fans.
Strategy & Execution
The Origins series explores players' journeys from youth to adulthood, featuring interviews with family, friends, and coaches who share impactful stories. In collaboration with Caldwell University, the Emmy Award-winning Jets 1JD Films team produced and edited five episodes. These episodes premiered on the New York Jets YouTube channel, with trailers and synopses shared on Jets social media ahead of each release. Teasers and promotional material we’re shared with each subject who promoted their story to their social audience. This multi-platform strategy maximized reach and engagement with modern sports fans.
Summary of Episodes:
* Jermaine Johnson's journey began at Community College, featured on "Last Chance U," and continued with a standout performance at Florida State, leading to his first-round draft selection.
* Garrett Wilson, a reputation as a top recruit from Texas, excelled at Ohio State, becoming a top-10 draft pick.
* D.J. Reed overcame being all odds, relying on faith and family to become a top NFL corner.
* Jeremy Ruckert, from Long Island, fulfilled his dream of becoming a Jet after a standout high school and college career.
* Quincy Williams, after losing his mother, carved his own path to NFL, joining his brother, Quinnen, as a rising star.
Organizations
- New York Jets
- Caldwell University
Links
Featured
- New York Jets LB Quincy Williams
- TE Jeremy Ruckert
- CB D.J. Reed
- WR Garrett Wilson
- LB Jermaine Johnson
Credits
Seth Bradley
Director, Feature Productions and Original Programming
New York Jets
Dan Szpakowski
Senior Director, Content Strategy & Production
New York Jets
Eric Gelfand
Senior Vice President, Communications & Content
New York Jets
Jared Winley
Vice President, Communications
New York Jets
Austin Seabolt
Coordinator, Feature Programming & Cinematographer
New York Jets
Frank Lazar
Coordinator, Creative Brand Producer and Cinematographer
New York Jets
Will Hahn
Producer/Editor
New York Jets
Bobby Dougherty
Coordinator, Post Production
New York Jets
Celebrate in NYC
Join us for the 7th Annual Hashtag Sports Awards™ on the evening of June 24, 2025 as we celebrate finalists and reveal the winners of this year's awards live during the show.
