Vincent Jackson facts for kids
Jackson with the Buccaneers in 2012
|
|||||||||
| No. 83 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position: | Wide receiver | ||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||
| Born: | January 14, 1983 Colorado Springs, Colorado, U.S. |
||||||||
| Died: | February 15, 2021 (aged 38) Brandon, Florida, U.S. |
||||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | ||||||||
| Weight: | 230 lb (104 kg) | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| High school: | Widefield (Colorado Springs, Colorado) |
||||||||
| College: | Northern Colorado (2001–2004) | ||||||||
| NFL Draft: | 2005 / Round: 2 / Pick: 61 | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
|
|||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||
|
|||||||||
| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||
|
|||||||||
| Player stats at PFR | |||||||||
Vincent Terrell Jackson (January 14, 1983 – February 15, 2021) was an American professional football player. He was a wide receiver for 12 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). Jackson played college football at Northern Colorado. The San Diego Chargers picked him in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He also played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Jackson was chosen for the Pro Bowl three times. He gained over 1,000 receiving yards in six different seasons.
Contents
Early Life and High School
Vincent Jackson grew up in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He went to Widefield High School. In his senior year, he was recognized as a top player in the state. He was also a great basketball player. Jackson was a very good student. He chose to attend the University of Northern Colorado. There, he played both basketball and football.
College Football Career
Jackson played for the Northern Colorado Bears football team from 2001 to 2004. He was one of the few freshmen to play for Northern Colorado. Jackson earned All-American honors as a punt returner. He scored a touchdown the first time he returned a punt.
He became Northern Colorado's all-time leader in many areas. These included receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns. He also led in kick return yards and punt return yards. In his senior year, he had 13 catches for 249 yards and three touchdowns against Florida Atlantic. Jackson holds many school records for receiving.
Jackson also played basketball for Northern Colorado. He started for two seasons. He led the team in scoring both years.
Professional Football Career
Joining the NFL: 2005 Draft
The San Diego Chargers picked Jackson in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He was the 61st player chosen overall. This was the highest pick ever for a player from Northern Colorado.
Playing for the San Diego Chargers
First Seasons: 2005–2006
Jackson's first NFL season in 2005 started slowly due to injuries. He played his first game on October 16. He caught his first NFL pass on November 6.
In 2006, Jackson scored his first NFL touchdown on September 17. This was in a win against the Tennessee Titans. On Christmas Eve against the Seattle Seahawks, Jackson caught a game-winning touchdown. This helped the Chargers win 20–17. He finished the season with six touchdown catches.
Becoming a Starter: 2007–2008
Jackson became a starting wide receiver for the Chargers in 2007. By the end of the season, he was a top target for quarterback Philip Rivers.
In the 2008 season, Jackson had a career-best year. He made 59 catches for 1,098 yards and seven touchdowns. He was the first Chargers wide receiver to gain over 1,000 yards since 2001.
Pro Bowl Seasons: 2009–2011
Jackson had an even stronger season in 2009. He led the team with 68 catches, nine touchdowns, and 1,167 yards. He was chosen for his first Pro Bowl as an alternate. In the Pro Bowl, he had seven catches for 122 yards, including a 48-yard touchdown.
In 2010, Jackson returned in Week 11 after missing the first 10 games. In Week 15, he had a career-high three touchdowns and 112 yards. He finished the season with 14 catches and 248 yards.
On February 15, 2011, the Chargers kept Jackson by using their franchise tag. In Week 9 of the 2011 season, Jackson had 141 yards and three touchdowns against the Green Bay Packers. He finished the season with 60 catches for 1,106 yards and nine touchdowns. He was named to the Pro Bowl again.
Playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Record-Breaking Start: 2012
On March 13, 2012, Jackson signed a five-year contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was chosen as a team captain on September 7, 2012.
On October 21, against the New Orleans Saints, Jackson set new Buccaneer records. He had the longest reception (95 yards) and the most receiving yards in a single game (216 yards). Jackson was selected for his third Pro Bowl.
He finished the 2012 season with career-highs of 72 catches and 1,384 receiving yards.
Continued Success: 2013–2014
Jackson was again chosen as a team captain in 2013. He had a strong season with 78 catches for 1,224 yards and seven touchdowns.
In 2014, Jackson continued to play well. He gained over 1,000 yards for the sixth time in his career. He and fellow receiver Mike Evans became the first Buccaneers duo to each have over 1,000 receiving yards in a season. In Week 12, Jackson passed 8,000 career receiving yards.
Final Seasons: 2015–2016
Jackson's numbers decreased in 2015 due to injuries. He had 33 catches, 543 yards, and three touchdowns. On December 30, 2015, his season ended due to injury.
On October 18, 2016, Jackson was placed on injured reserve. This happened after he hurt his knee in Week 5.
Retirement
Vincent Jackson announced his retirement from professional football on May 17, 2018.
NFL Career Statistics
| Year | Team | Games | Receiving | Rushing | Fumbles | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Att | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Fum | Lost | ||
| 2005 | SD | 8 | 0 | 3 | 59 | 19.7 | 21 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2006 | SD | 16 | 7 | 27 | 453 | 16.8 | 55 | 6 | 3 | 16 | 5.3 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2007 | SD | 16 | 16 | 41 | 623 | 15.2 | 45 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2008 | SD | 16 | 16 | 59 | 1,098 | 18.6 | 60 | 7 | 4 | 69 | 17.3 | 31 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 2009 | SD | 15 | 15 | 68 | 1,167 | 17.2 | 55 | 9 | 3 | 11 | 3.7 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2010 | SD | 5 | 5 | 14 | 248 | 17.7 | 58 | 3 | 1 | 14 | 14.0 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2011 | SD | 16 | 16 | 60 | 1,106 | 18.4 | 58 | 9 | 3 | 51 | 17.0 | 41 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2012 | TB | 16 | 16 | 72 | 1,384 | 19.2 | 95 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2013 | TB | 16 | 16 | 78 | 1,224 | 15.7 | 60 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2014 | TB | 16 | 16 | 70 | 1,002 | 14.3 | 50 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 2015 | TB | 10 | 9 | 33 | 543 | 16.5 | 36 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | TB | 5 | 5 | 15 | 173 | 11.5 | 18 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 155 | 137 | 540 | 9,080 | 16.8 | 95 | 57 | 15 | 161 | 10.7 | 41 | 0 | 3 | 2 | |
| Source: Pro Football Reference | |||||||||||||||
Buccaneers Team Records
Jackson holds two Buccaneers team records. He has the most receiving yards in a single game (216 yards). He also has the longest single reception (95 yards). Both records were set on October 21, 2012, against the New Orleans Saints.
Personal Life and Community Work
Both of Jackson's parents served in the United States Armed Forces. He supported military families at every Buccaneers home game. He had a special "Jackson in Action" section at Raymond James Stadium for them.
In 2012, Jackson visited Northwest Elementary School. He talked to students about staying physically fit. He also helped give a $10,000 grant for a "Play 60" program.
In 2016, Jackson earned a degree in Business Management from the University of South Florida.
Passing and Health
Vincent Jackson passed away on February 15, 2021. He was found in a hotel room in Florida. His family later shared that researchers found he had Stage 2 CTE in his brain. CTE is a brain condition found in some athletes who have had head injuries.
See Also
- List of NFL players with chronic traumatic encephalopathy
