Vincent Jackson: former NFL star wide-receiver found dead at age of 38

Vincent Jackson, who at his peak was one of the best wide receivers in the NFL, has been found dead at the age of 38.

The Hillsborough county sheriff’s office said Jackson’s body was discovered at a hotel in Brandon, Florida, on Monday morning. There were no signs of trauma and the cause of death is being investigated.

According to hotel staff Jackson, who lived locally, had checked into the hotel on 11 February. His family had reported him missing the day before but police found him safe at the hotel on Friday and the case was closed after they had checked on his well being.

His family have been notified.

“My heart aches for the many loved ones Vincent Jackson leaves behind, from his wife and children to the Buccaneers nation that adored him,” said Hillsborough county sheriff Chad Chronister in a statement on Monday.

“Mr Jackson was a devoted man who put his family and community above everything else. Football aside, he touched countless lives through his Jackson In Action 83 Foundation. We shared a passion for supporting military families, and three years ago, Jackson was even made an honorary deputy by the Hillsborough county sheriff’s office to recognize his dedication to the community. He will be sorely missed by not only football fans across the country, but also the people here in Hillsborough county who reaped the benefits of his generous contributions.”

The 6ft 5in Jackson played college football at Northern Colorado – where he also starred on the basketball team – before being selected by the San Diego Chargers in the second round of the 2005 draft. Injuries affected his early career before he hit his stride in San Diego, where he recorded three 1,000 yard receiving seasons. In 2012, he signed a five-year deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and enjoyed a successful career in Florida, recording another three 1,000 yard receiving seasons. In his first season with the Bucs, he set a franchise record for receiving yards in a single game, going for 216 yards against the New Orleans Saints.

He was named to the Pro Bowl in 2009, 2011 and 2012 before announcing his retirement in 2018.

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And on the field, what made Vincent Jackson so special was he was a vertical receiver that a QB could trust to always make a play in a contested catch situation. We so it saw often with him and Philip Rivers. pic.twitter.com/H1aAawIpmC


February 15, 2021

“I’ve always had a strong work ethic and that proved to be my reliable foundation,” he said of his football career in 2018. “No matter the circumstance, good old fashioned effort carried me through.”

Jackson was a strong student in high school, and returned to college to earn a degree in business management while with the Bucs. He ran a real estate and development company after retirement, and was also involved in military charities.

“I come from a military background,” he said in 2018. “Both my parents served, my dad for 21 years in the US Army. It is a labor of love and an effort that is near and dear to my heart. I grew up with the challenges and experiences that military families go through, so I want to support these amazing men, women and families any way I can.”

Jackson was married with three children.

source: theguardian.com