Summary:
The CD Panthers, a Seattle-based youth football program, are set to join the Washington Youth Football League (WYFL) in 2025, marking a new chapter for the organization. The program, founded by Charles Jackson in 1995, aims to provide youth with a safe and supportive environment to build character and community engagement. Registration is open and filling rapidly, with early bird pricing available for some teams. The Panthers are more than a football program, they are a lifeline for neighborhoods often underrepresented in youth sports.
The CD Panthers are embarking on a transformative 2025 football season as they become inaugural members of the Washington Youth Football League (WYFL), marking a new chapter for Seattle’s only remaining inner-city youth football program.
With the dissolution of once-prominent programs like the Rainier Eagles, Rainier Ravens, Rainier Beach Vikings, Beacon Hill Cowboys, and Emerald City Seahawks, the CD Panthers now stand alone in their mission to serve Central and Southeast Seattle’s youth through sport, character-building, and community engagement.
Founded in 1995 by community icon Charles Jackson, the CD Panthers were built on the belief that football could be a path to character, discipline, and hope. That legacy is now carried forward by his granddaughter, Chalayia Jackson, who has led the program for the past decade.
“My grandfather founded the CD Panthers Youth Football [franchise] over 25 years ago,” Jackson said. “Now, after experiencing and going through it for so many years, what keeps me involved is the youth and my family’s legacy.”
That legacy is particularly critical in 2025, as the WYFL aims to unite young athletes across the state under values of teamwork, inclusivity, and community. Alongside the Panthers, member franchises include the Federal Way Hawks, Parkland Raiders, RISE Football Academy, Benson Bruins, and others.
For families eager to join, registration is now open and filling rapidly. Early bird pricing offers a significant opportunity, with the 14U team priced at just $29 in honor of the organization’s 29th year. Spots are limited and secured only with full paperwork and payment, prompting a surge in sign-ups—especially at the 10U level, where over 20 players have already attended early practices.
The coaching staff for the 2025 season includes:
• 6U: Sharief Rodriguez
• 8U: Eddie Scott
• 10U: Desjuan Newton
• 12U: De’Ronn Frazier
• 14U: Curtis Delgardo
In neighborhoods often underrepresented in youth sports, the Panthers are more than a football program—they’re a lifeline.
“There is so much gun violence today, and this was one of the things my grandad did to try to keep kids off the streets,” said Jackson.
As the season kicks off, the Panthers aren’t just building teams—they’re building futures. The organization remains rooted in its founding principles while embracing new challenges, ensuring that the children of Seattle continue to have a place to grow, belong, and thrive.
