Although Derrick Gaffney had a son and grandchildren, no information about his wife has ever been made public.
Derrick Gaffney was a talented American football player who played as a wide receiver for eight seasons with the New York Jets.
He played college football for the Florida Gators and achieved the memorable feat of a 99-yard touchdown reception in 1977.
After being drafted by the New York Jets in the 8th round in 1978, he played until 1984 and briefly returned in 1987.
Over his career, he recorded 156 receptions, 2,613 receiving yards, and seven touchdowns.
Tragically, Derrick passed away at the age of 69 on March 17, 2025. However, the cause of his demise has not been publicly disclosed, and the family has chosen to stay private at this moment.
Even As Grandfather, Derrick Gaffney Maintained His Silence Regarding His Wife During His Lifetime!
Derrick Gaffney never publicly spoke about his wife or shared details about his marital life during his lifetime.
This could be due to a desire for privacy or to shield his family from the public scrutiny that often accompanies fame.
Additionally, there doesn’t appear to be any information linking Derrick to any romantic relationships during his teenage years or later in life.

However, it is known that his son, Jabar, followed in his footsteps and had an impressive NFL career as a wide receiver.
Jabar played for multiple teams, including the Houston Texans, New England Patriots, and Denver Broncos, over his 11-year career.
He recorded 447 receptions, 5,690 receiving yards, and 24 touchdowns.
Moreover, he earned unanimous All-American honors in college and was part of the Patriots’ historic 16-0 regular season in 2007.
While Derrick Gaffney Remained Private About His Wife, His Son’s Marital Issues Came To Light During Divorce Proceedings!
As for his son, Jabar Gaffney, it is publicly known that he is married and has children.
Jabar has an ex-wife, Terin Gaffney. Together, they have two children, Jackson Tyrel and Teagan Danae.
Their relationship gained some public attention during their divorce proceedings, which were reportedly contentious.
In 2012, Jabar made headlines for a Twitter rant that included remarks about his ex-wife and former teammate Lito Sheppard.
Despite the personal challenges, Jabar has continued to focus on his family and career.
Jabar Gaffney’s Career Has Been Marred By Legal Troubles!
Jabar Gaffney, despite his successful NFL career and being the son of Derrick Gaffney, has faced legal troubles over the years.
In 2000, he was accused of stealing $245 and a watch from a locker room during a high school state championship.
After being temporarily removed, he entered a pretrial diversion program and later rejoined his team, though he lost his scholarship for a year.
In 2001, Gaffney and another individual detained a 15-year-old boy who was attempting to steal motor scooters from their apartment.
The boy’s mother accused Gaffney of assaulting her son, but authorities found the claims inconsistent with evidence and decided not to press charges.
Similarly, he was arrested in New Jersey for unlawful possession in 2006 and faced charges for non-violent resisting apprehend.
Also, in 2016, he was arrested in Florida for marijuana possession. He was charged with one count of marijuana possession, one count of drug possession, and one felony count of drug possession.
Additionally, he was charged with domestic battery in 2017.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Derrick was the uncle of former NFL cornerback Lito Sheppard.
- His brother, Don Gaffney, made history as the first African-American starting QB for the Florida Gators.
- His other brother, Johnny, also played football at the University of Florida.