Jacksonville Jaguars long snapper Ross Matiscik, who came into the league in 2020 as an undrafted free agent, can, in a way, remove that distinction from his resume.

He’s now been drafted.

“Hey, first round pick … give it to me,” said the seven-year veteran Pro Bowler.

The player Matiscik has been snapping to for punts and to hold on field goal and conversion attempts, Logan Cooke, also joined Matiscik in the draft.

But not the NFL draft, which begins on April 23.

It’s a draft that goes beyond the bright lights and a hug from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. This draft can have far-reaching benefits for more people in need.

Jay Fund ‘ambassadors’ drafted in two cities

The Tom Coughlin Jay Fund Foundation, founded 31 years ago by the former Jaguars coach and executive, launched its first-ever “Ambassador Class,” with athletes in the two cities where Coughlin coached advancing the foundation’s mission of assisting families with children battling cancer.

Jaguar punter Logan Cooke, left, is interviewed with Liam Smith, 14, center, while playing in the 30th annual Tom Coughlin Jay Fund Celebrity Golf Tournament Monday May 19, 2025 at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]

Jaguar punter Logan Cooke, left, is interviewed with Liam Smith, 14, center, while playing in the 30th annual Tom Coughlin Jay Fund Celebrity Golf Tournament Monday May 19, 2025 at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]

Cooke and Matiscik were “drafted” as the Jaguars’ representatives. The New York athletes are former New York Giants guard (and now Giants senior scout) Chris Snee and Juan Carlos Amoros, coach of the New York/New Jersey Gotham FC.

NFL players who are drafted get a team hat when they walk to the podium and the Jay Fund draftees are no different: They all received a custom trucker’s hat designed with the help of 13-year-old cancer survivor Camila Izaguirre, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor when she was a toddler, and now, after nearly a decade of treatment, she is in a monitoring stage.

Although the athletes have already been involved in events supporting the Jay Fund, such as charity golf tournaments, they will contribute to outreach, be a part of planning for future events and do more to elevate awareness that households face when a child is diagnosed with pediatric cancer.

As ambassadors, they will also participate in media appearances and programming that highlights the experiences of Jay Fund families.

To date, the Jay Fund has provided more than $39 million in support for more than 6,700 families.

Jaguars players said Coughlin’s involvement drew them

“Juan, Logan, Ross, and Chris understand what it means to be part of a team, but more than that, they understand what it means to stand beside someone in their hardest moments,” Coughlin said in a statement. “Every family we serve is facing the unimaginable. To have people like this step forward, not just in name, but in heart, means everything.”

The Jaguars players who will be involved can’t wait.

Jacksonville Jaguars long snapper Ross Matiscik visits Bella (center) with her little brother during a visit with patients at the Wolfson Children's Hospital.

Jacksonville Jaguars long snapper Ross Matiscik visits Bella (center) with her little brother during a visit with patients at the Wolfson Children’s Hospital.

“When you go to events, hospital visits and see these kids and their families, see the smiles you can put on their faces just by showing up, it’s almost contagious,” Matiscik said. “Jacksonville is my home now and as long as I’m here I want to do everything I can for the Jay Fund.”

Cooke has his own foundation and is the father of two children, but said he will make time for his enhanced role with the Jay Fund.

“I know how I feel when one of my kids gets a little sickness,” he said. “There are families and kids who are going through much more devastating situations. They not only have to worry about their children but things from a financial standpoint, and that’s where the Jay Fund steps in and plays a pivotal role. I have my own foundation, but when this opportunity came up, I wanted to be a part of it.”

Cooke was drafted in the seventh round by the Jaguars in 2018 when Coughlin was the Executive Vice-President of Football Operations. Matiscik came to the team in 2020, a year after Coughlin and the Jaguars parted ways, but has had frequent contact with Coughlin through Jay Fund events.

Both players said working with Coughlin in a capacity other than football was a major reason they’re participating in the Ambassador Program.

“Tom, like all of us, has a football mindset switch,” Cooke said. “It kicks in when you need it to. But when it comes to the Jay Fund and these kids, Coach Coughlin has that generous, kind-heartedness that kicks in. Anything he wants out of me, I’m there.”

Matiscik has honored the Jay Fund the last two years with the NFL’s “My Cause, My Cleats,” allowing Jay Fund kids to do the design.

“I’ve been somewhat part of the [Jay Fund] family,” Matiscik said. “To finally make it official and be part of their team is very cool. I’m ready to be part of the planning on how we’re going to impact even more.”

Jay Fund named for former Boston College player

The Tom Coughlin Jay Fund Foundation was founded in 1996 and named for Jay McGillis, a safety who played for Coughlin when he coached at Boston College. McGillis was diagnosed with leukemia and passed away eight months later in 1991.

Following Jay’s death, Coughlin created the foundation. For more information, visit www.tcjayfund.org.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jay Fund Ambassador program ‘drafts’ Jaguars Logan Cooke, Ross Matiscik