Former Utah Shortstop Core Jackson Seeks Forgiveness for Antisemitic Act

The journey of Core Jackson from collegiate standout to professional baseball player has been anything but ordinary. Drafted by the New York Yankees in the fifth round of the 2025 MLB Draft, the 21-year-old infielder from Wyoming, Ontario, has built an impressive athletic résumé—and confronted a deeply troubling incident from his past.

This is the story of a young athlete’s raw talent, his search for redemption, and the winding road toward earning a second chance.

From College Prospect to Yankee Draftee

Jackson’s baseball career shows steady growth and a stubborn determination. He started at the University of Nebraska, then moved to South Mountain Community College, and finally landed at the University of Utah.

There, he became a key piece in the Utes’ high-profile jump from the Pac-12 to the Big 12. His play on the field stood out—he was a semifinalist for the Brooks Wallace Award and landed in Utah’s all-time top 10 for batting average, on-base percentage, and stolen bases.

With those accolades, you’d think the Yankees’ pick of Jackson at 164th overall was just a simple baseball move. But the franchise weighed more than just numbers.

The Incident That Nearly Derailed His Career

Four years before his draft day, Jackson committed what he now calls the most regrettable act of his life—drawing a swastika on a Jewish student’s dorm door while at Nebraska. He told The Athletic he doesn’t remember the incident because he was blackout drunk, but he was devastated when he found out what he’d done.

The fallout hit hard, shaping how others viewed him and how he viewed himself. That antisemitic act could’ve ended his baseball dreams right then and there.

During the 2024 draft process, Jackson decided to come clean about the episode, telling a Boston Red Sox scout the truth. His honesty almost cost him his agent—Blake Corosky briefly considered cutting ties.

Facing the Past and Humbling Growth

Instead of walking away, Corosky connected Jackson with Elliot Steinmetz, head basketball coach at Yeshiva University. Steinmetz, a respected figure in the Jewish community, helped Jackson understand the deeper pain behind his actions.

This wasn’t just about public relations. It became a turning point for Jackson’s personal growth.

He learned from Steinmetz and others about the lasting hurt those symbols cause. When the Yankees started their vetting process, Jackson approached them with complete transparency.

Vouching for Character on and off the Field

University of Utah head coach Gary Henderson stepped up to advocate for Jackson’s growth. He spoke to Yankees scouting director Damon Oppenheimer and vouched for Jackson’s evolution—not just as a player, but as a teammate and person.

Henderson’s backing, and Jackson’s steady accountability, helped convince the Yankees to give him a shot to prove himself.

The Yankees’ Perspective on Accountability and Forgiveness

Before making anything official, the Yankees dug deep. They did extensive vetting, determined to understand both Jackson and the moment that nearly defined him.

Oppenheimer said the team saw real remorse, accountability, and a willingness to learn. In their view, Jackson’s journey reflects that tough blend of responsibility and forgiveness that can shape a young athlete’s life.

For the Yankees, drafting Jackson wasn’t about ignoring his past. It was about believing in his future—on the field and in the wider world.

A Cautionary Tale and a Second Chance

Jackson’s rise to the professional level is both inspiring and a little bit of a warning. His story shows that even big mistakes early on don’t have to define someone forever.

But honestly, that’s only true if you’re willing to dig deep, reflect, and actually change. He’s now got to prove he belongs in Major League Baseball, and—maybe even tougher—show, not just say, that he’s learned from some rough moments in his past.

As he steps into the Yankees organization, Core Jackson carries more than just a glove and a bat. He’s got the weight of those lessons slung over his shoulder too.

Will he thrive in the big leagues? That’ll depend on more than just his batting average or how many bases he steals.

It’s going to come down to how he keeps living out his promise to be a better teammate, a better man, and maybe even an example of what it looks like to own your mistakes.

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Here is the source article for this story: Athletic article details how a former Ute shortstop sought forgiveness for antisemitic act