L.A. Soccer Star Cobi Jones Shares His Insight on Family Values, Life and Youth Sports

L.A. Soccer Star Shines on PBS Children’s Show

What happens when an American soccer star meets a family of animated Irish pigs? Well, Jakers! ‘tis an adventure with family values, life lessons and sports vignettes all wrapped up in an Emmy Award-winning television series on PBS KIDS. It’s also an opportunity to teach children and their parents how to get the best out of a youth sports experience and avoid the pitfalls of unrealistic expectations.

Los Angeles Galaxy soccer star Cobi Jones and a young Irish pig named Piggley join together to teach morals to young children in Jakers! The Adventures of Piggley Winks. Thanks to Piggley’s mischievous ways, minor dilemmas often pop up to spark the Irish expression, “Jakers,” which means something akin to an American, “Oh Golly!” Jones wraps up each episode with a three-minute sports segment of “Jakers! Live and Learn,” where he shares educational anecdotes with children from diverse cultures.

“I can relate to Jakers! because I have faced a lot of the same issues,” says Jones, a member of the 1998 U.S. World Cup Team. “The show teaches kids about dealing with friends and getting all of the information before you pass judgment on someone. But it’s not just for children, it’s for their parents too.”

Jones was selected to host Jakers! by producer Mike Young, who is a veteran youth soccer coach from the West Valley Soccer League. Young watched Jones develop outstanding soccer skills in the ’80s while competing in San Fernando Valley recreational soccer programs. Through effort, persistence and determination, Jones’ skill propelled him to become an All American from UCLA, a U.S. National Team legend and a five-time Major League Soccer All-Star.

“Cobi has stood the test of time and he is a tremendous role model,” Young says. “We were impressed with his honesty and freshness. He is proud to stand out in a crowd because he is an individual.”