Russ Jackson facts for kids
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Jackson with the Ottawa Rough Riders in 1969
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| Born: | July 28, 1936 Hamilton, Ontario, Canada |
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| Career information | |
| Position(s) | Quarterback |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) |
| Weight | 195 lb (88 kg) |
| University | McMaster |
| CFL Draft | 1958 / Round: 1 / Pick: 6 |
| Drafted by | Ottawa Rough Riders |
| Career history | |
| As coach | |
| 1975–1976 | Toronto Argonauts (HC) |
| As player | |
| 1958–1969 | Ottawa Rough Riders |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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| CFL All-Star | 1966, 1968, 1969 |
| CFL East All-Star | 1962, 1963, 1966–1969 |
| Honours |
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| Retired #s | Ottawa Rough Riders #12 Ottawa Redblacks #12 |
| Career stats | |
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Russell Stanley Jackson, born on July 28, 1936, is a famous former Canadian football player. He played his whole 12-year career with the Ottawa Rough Riders team in the Canadian Football League (CFL). Russ is a member of the Order of Canada, the Canadian Football Hall of Fame, and Canada's Sports Hall of Fame. Many people say he was the best Canadian quarterback ever in the CFL. In 2006, he was voted one of the top 50 CFL players of all time. He was ranked #8, making him the highest-ranked Canadian player on that list!
Contents
Early Life and University Football
Russ Jackson grew up in Hamilton, Ontario, and went to Westdale Secondary School. He was a great athlete in both basketball and football. After high school, he studied Mathematics at McMaster University. He finished his degree in 1958. He was even considered for a special scholarship called the Rhodes Scholarship. However, he decided to play professional football instead.
Playing in the CFL
Russ Jackson was chosen by the Ottawa Rough Riders in the 1958 CFL draft. He was the sixth player picked overall. He started as a halfback but quickly became the team's main quarterback. He led the Rough Riders to win the Grey Cup three times! These wins were in 1960, 1968, and 1969.
Top Quarterback of the 1960s
Russ Jackson was one of the best CFL quarterbacks during the 1960s. He won the CFL's Most Outstanding Player Award three times (in 1963, 1966, and 1969). He also won the CFL's Most Outstanding Canadian Award four times (in 1959, 1963, 1966, and 1969). He was chosen as an All-Star quarterback many times. This included six times for the Eastern Conference and three times for the whole CFL.
Hall of Fame and Records
Russ Jackson was added to the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 1973. Many people believe he is one of the best Canadian-born players to ever play in the CFL. He is definitely considered the best Canadian to play the quarterback position.
He finished his career with amazing stats. He threw for 24,593 yards and 185 touchdowns. He also ran with the ball a lot, gaining 5,045 yards and scoring 54 touchdowns. Russ Jackson is the only Canadian-born quarterback to throw for over 10,000 yards in the CFL. He holds the record for throwing the most touchdowns in a Grey Cup game, with four in the 1969 game.
After Football: Teaching, Coaching, and Broadcasting
After his football career, Russ Jackson went back to teaching. He had been a math teacher before playing professionally. From 1961 to 1966, he was even the head of the Math Department at Rideau High School in Ottawa. He later became a principal at several high schools in Ottawa and Mississauga.
He also spent some time as a football coach. He was the head coach for the Toronto Argonauts for two years, from 1975 to 1976. Russ also worked as a sports commentator for CBC and CHML radio, talking about CFL games.
Special Honours
Russ Jackson has received many honours for his achievements. He is an Officer of the Order of Canada, which is a very high honour in Canada. McMaster University also gave him an honorary degree in 1989. In 2012, he was added to Canada's Walk of Fame.
In 1986, a special award was created in his name: the Russ Jackson Award. This award goes to a university football player who is good at sports, does well in school, and is a great citizen. In 1995, Russ Jackson was also inducted into the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame.
Images for kids
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Jackson with the Ottawa Rough Riders in 1969
