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Jaguars vs. Colts gameday guide: What fans need to know as Jags back home from sweep in London

garry smits, jacksonville florida times-union
·5 min read
The Roar of the Jaguars perform during the first half of the team's home game vs. Kansas City on Sept. 17. The Jags return home for the first time in 21 days when they play host to the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday at EverBank Stadium.
The Roar of the Jaguars perform during the first half of the team's home game vs. Kansas City on Sept. 17. The Jags return home for the first time in 21 days when they play host to the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday at EverBank Stadium.

The Jacksonville Jaguars are back home for the first time in 21 days — and then won't be back at EverBank Stadium for another 27 days thanks to two away games and the bye week.

The Jaguars host Indianapolis at 1 p.m. (CBS-47) with first place in the AFC South at stake. Both teams have a 3-2 record and the game has some added sizzle — former Jag quarterback Gardner Minshew will start for the Colts in place of first-round draft pick and former Florida Gator Anthony Richardson, who hurt his shoulder last week.

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The Jaguars have beaten the Colts eight home games in a row (counting a 2016 game in London that was a designated home game for the Jags) and defeated the Colts 31-21 to open the 2023 season.

Here's what else fans need to know about game day:

Crucial Catch game

This is the Jaguars' "Crucial Catch" game, the NFL's initiative with the American Cancer Society that is in its 15th year. of raising awareness to fight cancer through early detection and risk reduction. The Jaguars are one of 15 NFL teams to have a 2023 Crucial Catch Ambassador, practice squad member and cancer survivor OL Chandler Brewer.

The NFL has contributed more than $27 million to the American Cancer Society since 2009 through sales of NFL auction items, general fundraising and Crucial Catch co-branded merchandise, available online and in the stadium’s pro shops. Funds raised aid the American Cancer Society’s CHANGE grants which support community health centers in all 32 NFL team markets by increasing access to low or no-cost cancer screening.

Crucial Catch activities

  • During the national anthem, the on-field American flag and Crucial Catch Ribbon will be held by cancer survivors, family members, and first responders from Baptist Hospital.

  • Former Jaguars coach Tom Coughlin and 50 childhood cancer patients and their families from the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund will be recognized on the field in the south endzone prior to the singing of the national anthem.

  • Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center’s Buddy Bus, a mobile mammography unit that provides breast cancer detection services across Northeast Florida, will be located in the Fan Entertainment Zone for the second year in a row. The Buddy Bus provides screenings and information on early cancer detection and risk reduction. For more information, visit baptistjax.com/buddy.

  • Fans can pick up a limited-edition game poster designed by local artist and Jaguars fan Varick Rosete.

Game Day Patriotism

  • The National Anthem will be performed by Jac Ross, an R&B artist from Live Oak. Kavira Vihugho will interpret the anthem for the hearing impaired.

  • The colors will be presented by members of the Navy Medicine Readiness Training Command Color Guard.

  • The flyover will be performed by the Patrol Squadron 30, U.S. Navy, in P-8As based at NAS Jacksonville.

  • Officer Candidate Phil Douglas will be the pregame Bell Ringer. Douglas enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 2012 as a Construction Mechanic in the Seabees, the Navy's construction force. He has been involved in humanitarian assistance in Haiti in response to Hurricane Matthew in 2016 and the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria and Hurricane Irma in 2017, where his team conducted road route clearing, hospital generator repairs and runway clearing. In April of 2024, he will be commissioned as a Naval Officer in the Civil Engineer Corps.

  • U.S. Naval Aircrewman Petty Officer 2nd Class Kyle Kitzman is the Veteran of the Game. Petty Officer Kitzman was deployed to the 6th fleet and received a Battle Efficiency ribbon and an ARTIC ribbon for his time in Norway. On home cycle, Petty Officer Kitzman received a Navy Achievement Medal and was medically retired on July 28.

Jaguars season-ticket holders hold the American flag on the field before the game against Houston on Sept. 24.
Jaguars season-ticket holders hold the American flag on the field before the game against Houston on Sept. 24.

First Duuuval

The first "Duuuval" will be delivered by 8-year-old Tom Coughlin Jay Fund patient, Sakyra. Five months ago, Sakyra was diagnosed with neuroblastoma. She watches the Jaguars play every Sunday with her grandfather and aunt. She's in the second grade and she loves reading and dancing.

Halftime entertainment

More than 270 Junior Roar Cheerleaders will dance and cheer their way through a halftime performance with members of the Roar of the Jaguars.

Traffic and parking

Construction and gameday street closures around the sports complex can impact traffic patterns. Fans are strongly encouraged to arrive early. Those will mobile stadium lot parking passes should have them downloaded, saved and ready to scan prior to entry.

Color scheme

The Jaguars will wear teal jerseys and white pants against the Colts.

Game Day schedule

9 a.m. — All parking lots, game day ticket office (north end zone between Gates 2 and 3) and Miller Electric Center open. Team store, photo ops and cornhole games are available at the Miller Center.

10 a.m. — Gates 1 and 4, Fan Entertainment Zone open (south end zone between Gates 1 and 4).

11 a.m. — All stadium gates and areas open.

12:48 p.m. — First "Duuuval."

12:49 p.m. — Jaxson de Ville aerial stunt.

12:50 p.m. — The Roar of the Jaguars perform.

12:53 p.m. — Jaguars defensive player introductions

1 p.m. — Kickoff

Fan reminders

Clear bag policy: The NFL’s clear bag policy is in effect at EverBank Stadium.  Fans are encouraged to leave all bags at home but if one is necessary, it should be either a clear bag no larger than 12” x 6” x 12” or a non-clear bag no larger than 4.5” x 6.5.” Non-clear belt bags and fanny packs are prohibited.

Hydrate: Fans are permitted to bring one, commercially branded, factory-sealed, plastic bottle that is 16.9 oz. or less. A Cooling Bus will be available at Ramp 4 and Ramp 2 with water coolers nearby.

Cashless Transactions: Cash is no longer accepted anywhere in the stadium. In addition to traditional scan and chip options, all fixed points of sale will offer tap or scan payment options including JagsPay, Apple, Google and Samsung Pay.

Tobacco-free: EverBank Stadium is a tobacco-free facility. All tobacco products (including e-cigarettes) are prohibited. No guest re-entry will be permitted.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jaguars vs. Colts guide: What fans need to know about traffic, parking