Mariah Barsotti

Janae Jefferson, former Texas second baseman, had only left the Forty Acres for a year before deciding to return back to Austin, the place where she made a name for herself with the Texas softball program. But this time, Jefferson will make her return to embark on her professional softball journey. 

The Texas Smoke is a new professional fastpitch softball team in Austin. When Jefferson received an offer to join their roster, there was never a doubt in her decision.

Jefferson is a strong believer that recognition of women’s sports is severely lacking. This, in addition to increasing softball viewership, are part of the reason why she accepted her offer to play for the Texas Smoke. However, the other part of her decision was to have a platform to inspire all young female athletes who look up to her as a role model.

“I feel like softball, in general, is growing, so I’m just glad to be a part of that growth,” Jefferson said to the Austin-American Statesman. “I think, in a way, women’s (professional) sports don’t really get as much recognition as we should and the marketing of women’s sports is not really out there. So I’m just doing this for the next generation that comes in, the little girls that look up to me now. I’m doing it for them.”

Jefferson was a highly decorated player as a student athlete at Texas. She was a four-time All-American infielder who set the school program record for both career hits and batting average, with a .415, during her time as a Longhorn.

“I’m glad that I left that program better than I found it,” Jefferson said to Fox 7. “And definitely ending up in the World Series, that was a big goal of mine stepping foot on the Forty Acres. So, I think I left my legacy for sure.”

Brandon Phillips, co-owner of the Texas Smoke, applauded Jefferson for both her defensive and hitting skills. When seeking out players to add to the Smoke roster, Phillips knew that Jefferson’s qualities, both as a player on the field and a person off the field, were going to be a perfect addition to the new team.

“That was my first thing to do,” Phillips said to Fox 7. “I had to get the most popular person from Texas. And I feel like Janae Jefferson is that person. It’s her swag. Her demeanor and the way she approaches the game. That just says champion.”

The Texas Smoke’s regular season began on June 15 and will come to a close on Aug. 7. The playoff games, which are still being determined, will be held on Aug. 11–13.