Wikipedia

Fred Jackson (running back)

For other people with the same name, see Fred Jackson (disambiguation).

Frederick George Jackson[1] (born February 20, 1981) is an American former football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Coe Kohawks. After going undrafted in 2003 and playing two indoor football seasons and later in NFL Europe, Jackson spent nine seasons with the Buffalo Bills, becoming their third all-time leading rusher. In the 2015 season, he was the oldest active running back in the NFL.[2]

Fred Jackson
refer to caption
Jackson with the Bills in 2014
No. 22
Position:Running back
Personal information
Born: (1981-02-20) February 20, 1981 (age 43)
Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:215 lb (98 kg)
Career information
High school:Lamar
(Arlington, Texas)
College:Coe (1999–2002)
Undrafted:2003
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Rushing attempts:1,305
Rushing yards:5,746
Rushing touchdowns:30
Receptions:354
Receiving yards:2,897
Receiving touchdowns:9
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Early life

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Jackson attended Lamar High School in Arlington, Texas, where he played football. Although he was a member of the powerful Lamar Vikings teams of the late 1990s, he never started a game in his two years on the varsity team because he was considered too small (5 ft 8 in, 160 pounds) and too slow. He began his senior year as a third-string running back, and only after a knee injury to starter Justin Faust (headed to Stanford), was he elevated to second-string behind Tommicus Walker (headed to TCU).[3][4]

Also a standout sprinter, Jackson was a state-qualifier in the 100 meters and recorded a time of 21.78 seconds as a member of the Lamar 4 × 100 m relay squad, breaking the previous record.[5]

During his senior year, 14 of his teammates signed letters of intent to play college football, but he did not receive any offers. Instead, Wayne Phillips, his Nichols Junior High School football coach, arranged for him and his brother to enroll into Coe College, a Division III school that does not offer athletic scholarships.[6][7]

College career

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At Coe College, Jackson was named to four All-American teams in 2002, rushing for 2,702 yards and 29 touchdowns. He was a two-time Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference MVP for the Kohawks. He was also the MVP of the 2003 Stars Bowl.[8] He graduated in 2003 with a degree in sociology.[9]

Professional career

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Sioux City Bandits

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After trying out for the Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos and Green Bay Packers, he went on to play indoor football for the Sioux City Bandits.[10][11] Jackson played two seasons for the Bandits in the National Indoor Football League (2004) and United Indoor Football (2005). He was named the 2005 UIF co-MVP in 2005; in 18 games he ran for 1,770 yards and scored 53 touchdowns (40 rushing, 11 pass receiving and 2 on kick returns). During this time, he also worked as a youth counselor at Boys & Girls Home Family Services to make ends meet. His jersey number was retired by the Bandits in 2008.[citation needed]

While with the Bandits in 2004, Jackson's childhood home in Arlington, Texas, was torn down to make way for Cowboys Stadium, which replaced Texas Stadium as the home of the Dallas Cowboys in 2009. Jackson played in his former neighborhood on November 13, 2011, when the Bills faced the Cowboys.[12]

Rhein Fire

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Jackson played in NFL Europa for the Rhein Fire in 2006, leading the team with 731 rushing yards.[13][14]

Buffalo Bills

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Jackson with the Bills in 2009

Jackson was invited to training camp with the Buffalo Bills in 2006 by Bills general manager Marv Levy, a Coe College alumnus himself.[15] He made his first career start against the Washington Redskins in 2007, rushing for 82 yards while catching four passes for 69 yards in a Bills victory.[16] He became the first Division III running back to start an NFL game since December 24, 2000, when former Ferrum College running back Chris Warren started for the Philadelphia Eagles against the Cincinnati Bengals.[17]

In a 2007 victory over the Miami Dolphins, Jackson rushed for 115 yards with a long of 27 yards to top the 100-yard rushing mark for the first time in his NFL career.[18] Teammate Marshawn Lynch rushed for 107 yards, marking the first time the Buffalo Bills had two players rush for 100-plus yards in the same game since 1996 when Thurman Thomas and Darick Holmes accomplished the feat.[citation needed] In the 2007 season, Jackson appeared in eight games and finished with 58 carries for 300 rushing yards and had 22 receptions for 190 receiving yards.[19]

In Week 17 of the 2008 season, Jackson had 27 carries for 136 rushing yards against the New England Patriots.[20] In the 2008 season, Jackson had 130 carries for 571 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns to go along with 37 receptions for 317 receiving yards in 16 games and three starts.[21]

Before the 2009 season, Jackson signed a four-year contract extension to stay with the Bills.[22]

In Week 2 of the 2009 season, Jackson had 28 carries for 163 rushing yards in the 33–20 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.[23] At the end of the 2009 season, after winning the starting job from Lynch in Week 12, Jackson eclipsed the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the first time in his career with 1,062 yards and two touchdowns. He also set a career-high in catches with 46 for 371 yards and two more scores and also completed a 27-yard touchdown pass.[24] Jackson also had 1,014 kickoff return yards making him the first player in NFL history to compile 1,000 rushing and 1,000 kickoff return yards.[25] The 2,516 combined yards are the fifth highest all-purpose yards total in NFL history.[26][27] In Week 17 of the 2009 season, versus the Indianapolis Colts, Jackson had a career day with 212 rushing yards and a receiving touchdown.[28]

In the 2010 season, Jackson finished with 222 carries for 927 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns to go along with 31 receptions for 215 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns in 16 games and 13 starts.[29]

In 2011, Jackson was having his best season to date, as the team's undisputed starting running back. Jackson had six 100-yard rushing games in the first ten weeks.[30] During a Week 11 loss to Miami, however, Jackson suffered a fractured fibula.[31] Jackson was placed on injured reserve later in the week and missed the remainder of the season. The Bills had already been on a three-game losing streak when Jackson was injured, but lost all games but one for the rest of the 2011 season without Jackson.[32] For his strong performance he was named to the USA Today All Joe Team as he was no longer Pro Bowl eligible.[33] He was ranked 83rd by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2012.[34]

On May 5, 2012, Jackson signed a two-year contract extension, keeping him with the Bills until 2015.[35] He finished the 2012 season with 115 carries for 437 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns to go along with 34 receptions for 217 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown in ten games and eight starts.[36]

Jackson had arguably the best season of his career in 2013. Despite playing as the backup to C. J. Spiller most weeks, Jackson accumulated 1,283 yards from scrimmage and scored 10 total touchdowns.[37][38]

On October 19, 2014, Jackson suffered a groin injury against the Minnesota Vikings.[39] He returned on November 9 against the Kansas City Chiefs. Jackson finished the 2014 season with 141 carries for 525 rushing yards to go along with 66 receptions for 501 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown in 14 games and nine starts.[40]

On August 31, 2015, the Bills released Jackson as part of roster cuts.[41] He finished third on the Bills' all-time rushing list.[42]

Seattle Seahawks

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Jackson with the Seahawks in 2015

On September 7, 2015, Jackson signed a one-year deal with the Seattle Seahawks,[43] reuniting him with former Buffalo teammate Marshawn Lynch.[44][45] He finished the 2015 season with 26 carries for 100 rushing yards and 32 receptions for 257 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns.[46]

The Seahawks clinched a Wild Card berth in the playoffs, marking Jackson's first time participating in the postseason.[47] On January 10, the Seahawks beat the Vikings 10–9 in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs, giving Jackson his first career playoff win.[48]

The Spring League

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After spending the 2016 season out of football, Jackson announced an attempt at a comeback by signing with The Spring League, a league formed from the remains of the former Fall Experimental Football League, for its summer 2017 showcase.[49]

Retirement

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In April 2018, Jackson confirmed he was in talks with the Bills to sign a one-day contract and formally retire as a member of the team.[50] The contract was signed, and Jackson subsequently retired, on April 18, 2018.[51]

NFL career statistics

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Year Team Games Rushing Receiving Fumbles
GP GS Att Yds Avg Lng TD Rec Yds Avg Lng TD Fum Lost
2007 BUF 8 1 58 300 5.2 27 0 22 190 8.6 54 0 0 0
2008 BUF 16 3 130 571 4.4 32 3 37 317 8.6 65 0 2 1
2009 BUF 16 11 237 1,062 4.5 43 2 46 371 8.1 21 2 3 2
2010 BUF 16 13 222 927 4.2 39 5 31 215 6.9 65T 2 5 2
2011 BUF 10 10 170 934 5.5 80 6 39 442 11.3 49 0 2 2
2012 BUF 10 8 115 437 3.8 15 3 34 217 6.4 34 1 5 4
2013 BUF 16 6 207 896 4.3 59 9 47 387 8.2 37 1 3 0
2014 BUF 14 9 141 525 3.7 38 2 66 501 7.6 34 1 5 0
2015 SEA 16 0 26 100 3.8 16 0 32 257 8.0 26 2 1 1
Career 122 61 1,305 5,746 4.4 80 30 354 2,897 8.2 65 9 26 12

Outside of football

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Personal life

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Jackson is married and has four children.[52]

Car accident

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On October 20, 2015, it was initially reported that a drag race just outside the Seahawks' training facility between Fred Jackson and teammate Marshawn Lynch ended with Jackson crashing his Corvette, first into a planter box and then a stop sign.[53] However police later denied the report and said he was simply driving too fast.[54]

Television

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Jackson had his own television program airing on WBBZ-TV. The Fred Jackson Show aired Mondays during football season. It debuted on September 10, 2012, and ran for Jackson's last three years in Buffalo.[55] In 2018, Jackson signed with MSG Western New York to be an analyst for its weekly postgame series, Bills Tonight.[56]

Jackson is now a part of Spectrum News One's post game show, Buffalo End Zone.[57]

Steakhouse

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Along with fellow Bills alumni Brian Moorman and Terrence McGee and other prominent Buffalo figures, Jackson operates SEAR, a high-end steakhouse located within The Avant in downtown Buffalo.[58][59][60] The restaurant closed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.[61]

FJ22 Sock for Charity

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In October 2018, Jackson teamed up with Codes Socks LLC to create a Signature Series Sock that will benefit a local charity called UB HEALS.[62]

References

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  1. ^ "Fred Jackson Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on September 30, 2022. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  2. ^ Fairburn, Matthew (July 31, 2014). "Fred Jackson, the NFL's oldest running back, wants to play 3–4 more seasons". Syracuse.com. Advance Digital. Archived from the original on September 8, 2014. Retrieved September 7, 2014.
  3. ^ "See steps Arlington Lamar backup Fred Jackson took to become Bills star". Dallas News. November 11, 2011. Retrieved June 12, 2023.
  4. ^ Gaughan, Mark (October 24, 2009). "Jackson's humble roots not forgotten Bills running back once sat the bench". Buffalo News. Retrieved June 12, 2023.
  5. ^ "Fred Jackson". trackingfootball.com. Archived from the original on November 17, 2015. Retrieved November 15, 2015.
  6. ^ Reister, Scott (December 14, 2022). "Former NFL star Fred Jackson helps out at Toys For Tots". KCCI. Archived from the original on December 22, 2022. Retrieved June 12, 2023.
  7. ^ Johnson, Jeff (September 24, 2009). "Former Coe College running back on top of his game with Buffalo Bills". The Gazette. Archived from the original on March 25, 2023. Retrieved June 12, 2023.
  8. ^ McKeon, John (December 8, 2014). "Tazón De Estrellas: United States D-III Team Stars & Stripes v. Mexico's CONADEIP All-stars". American Football International. Archived from the original on December 27, 2022. Retrieved December 26, 2022.
  9. ^ Bronstein, Jonah (September 23, 2009). "BILLS GAMEBREAKER: Jackson proving small schools have talent too". Niagara Gazette. Retrieved June 12, 2023.
  10. ^ Reiners, Devin (November 4, 2021). "Former Bandits and NFL star Fred Jackson returns to Sioux City to speak at Inaugural Bandits Luncheon". KTIV. Archived from the original on December 3, 2021. Retrieved June 12, 2023.
  11. ^ Moeller, Jayson (June 6, 2023). "Fred Jackson, Larry Korver among former Siouxland area coaches and athletes named to College Football Hall of Fame Ballot". KTIV. Archived from the original on June 6, 2023. Retrieved June 12, 2023.
  12. ^ "Jerry Jones built Cowboys Stadium on Fred Jackson's old house – Shutdown Corner – NFL Blog – Yahoo! Sports". Yahoo! Sports. November 10, 2011. Retrieved December 25, 2012.
  13. ^ Brady, Rachel (October 27, 2011). "Fred Jackson: From Division III to top rank". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved June 12, 2023.
  14. ^ Chadiha, Jeffri (July 31, 2009). "Chadiha: The skills to play with the Bills". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on December 16, 2017. Retrieved June 12, 2023.
  15. ^ Neumyer, Scott (August 1, 2012). "Fan experience: Bills RB Fred Jackson". ESPN.com. Retrieved June 12, 2023.
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  17. ^ Brandt, Gil (December 3, 2007). "The pride of Coe College (and other Week 13 notables)". NFL.com. Archived from the original on March 21, 2023. Retrieved June 12, 2023.
  18. ^ "Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills – December 9th, 2007". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on February 12, 2018. Retrieved June 12, 2023.
  19. ^ "Fred Jackson 2007 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on October 3, 2022. Retrieved June 12, 2023.
  20. ^ "New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills – December 28th, 2008". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 23, 2022. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  21. ^ "Fred Jackson 2008 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on October 7, 2022. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  22. ^ Florio, Mike (May 16, 2009). "Four Years, $7.5 Million For Fred Jackson". ProFootballTalk. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  23. ^ "Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Buffalo Bills – September 20th, 2009". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on October 7, 2022. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  24. ^ "Fred Jackson 2009 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on October 7, 2022. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  25. ^ "NFL RB Veteran Fred Jackson". The Moonlight Graham Show. September 6, 2022. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  26. ^ "NFL All-Purpose Yards Single-Season Leaders (since 1945)". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on April 2, 2019. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  27. ^ Galliford, Brian (January 5, 2010). "Putting Fred Jackson's 2009 season in perspective". Buffalo Rumblings. Archived from the original on February 22, 2012. Retrieved December 25, 2012.
  28. ^ "Indianapolis Colts at Buffalo Bills – January 3rd, 2010". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 31, 2023. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  29. ^ "Fred Jackson 2010 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on October 5, 2022. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  30. ^ "Fred Jackson 2011 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on October 7, 2022. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  31. ^ "Bills RB Jackson placed on injured reserve with broken leg". NFL.com. November 23, 2011. Archived from the original on December 4, 2022. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  32. ^ "2011 Buffalo Bills Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on March 31, 2019. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  33. ^ Weisman, Larry (January 22, 2009). "Annual All-Joe team: Honoring those who won little acclaim". USA Today. Archived from the original on January 29, 2014. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  34. ^ "2012 NFL Top 100". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on March 22, 2019. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  35. ^ "Fred Jackson of Buffalo Bills rewarded with contract extension". ESPN.com. Associated Press. May 7, 2012. Archived from the original on July 2, 2012. Retrieved December 25, 2012.
  36. ^ "Fred Jackson 2012 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on October 3, 2022. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  37. ^ "2013 Buffalo Bills Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on March 23, 2019. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  38. ^ "Fred Jackson 2013 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on October 6, 2022. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  39. ^ Rodak, Mike (October 19, 2014). "Fred Jackson, C.J. Spiller injured". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on October 20, 2014. Retrieved October 19, 2014.
  40. ^ "Fred Jackson 2014 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on October 5, 2022. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  41. ^ Reimer, Alex (August 31, 2015). "Bills release Fred Jackson". SBNation.com. Archived from the original on April 18, 2019. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  42. ^ "Buffalo Bills Career Rushing Leaders - Pro-Football-Reference.com". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 10, 2022. Retrieved November 15, 2015.
  43. ^ Rosenthal, Gregg (September 4, 2015). "Fred Jackson agrees to contract with Seattle Seahawks". NFL.com. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved September 4, 2015.
  44. ^ "Fred Jackson could be reunited with Marshawn Lynch at Seattle Seahawks". The Guardian. Associated Press. September 1, 2015. Archived from the original on June 10, 2023. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
  45. ^ "PFT Live: Marshawn Lynch, Fred Jackson could reunite in Seattle". ProFootballTalk. September 1, 2015. Archived from the original on June 11, 2023. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
  46. ^ "Fred Jackson 2015 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on October 5, 2022. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  47. ^ "2015 NFL Standings & Team Stats". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on November 8, 2017. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
  48. ^ "Wild Card – Seattle Seahawks at Minnesota Vikings – January 10th, 2016". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 22, 2018. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
  49. ^ Filipowski, Nick (June 19, 2017). "Former Bills RB Fred Jackson to participate in Spring League". WKBW-TV. Archived from the original on June 25, 2017. Retrieved June 20, 2017.
  50. ^ "Fred Jackson working on one-day contract to retire with Bills". WKBW-TV. April 11, 2018. Archived from the original on April 12, 2018. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  51. ^ Wawrow, John (April 18, 2018). "Fred Jackson cherishes chance to retire with Buffalo Bills". AP News. Archived from the original on April 18, 2019. Retrieved April 18, 2019. Jackson had time to reminisce Wednesday upon returning to Buffalo to sign a one-day contract to retire as a member of the Bills. The formality brought closure to a nine-season NFL playing career Jackson built on both a powerful running style and sheer perseverance.
  52. ^ Murphy, John (June 20, 2015). "Thurman Thomas & Fred Jackson: Thousand-yard dads". www.buffalobills.com. Archived from the original on June 11, 2023. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
  53. ^ Jackson, Zac (October 20, 2015). "Fred Jackson wrecks car in reported drag race with Marshawn Lynch". ProFootballTalk. NBC Sports. Archived from the original on October 21, 2015. Retrieved October 20, 2015.
  54. ^ Condotta, Bob (October 21, 2015). "Renton Police: No further investigation into accident involving Seattle Seahawks' Fred Jackson". Seattle Times. Archived from the original on September 13, 2016. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
  55. ^ ""The Fred Jackson Show" To Return For 3rd Season". WBBZ. September 8, 2014. Archived from the original on September 8, 2014. Retrieved October 1, 2013.
  56. ^ Pergament, Alan (August 2, 2018). "Fred Jackson to join Bills post-game show, Catalana replaced on sidelines". The Buffalo News. Archived from the original on August 2, 2018. Retrieved August 2, 2018.
  57. ^ "Fred Jackson joins Buffalo End Zone as co-host". NY1.com. July 19, 2022. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
  58. ^ Warzala, Steve (November 17, 2016). "SEAR: "It's all about the sear."". Buffalo Rising. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
  59. ^ Brennan, Ryan (November 17, 2016). "Fred Jackson Prepares SEAR Steakhouse for Grand Opening". BuffaLowDown. Archived from the original on June 10, 2023. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
  60. ^ "SEAR: "It's all about the sear."". Buffalo Rising. November 17, 2016. Archived from the original on June 16, 2021. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
  61. ^ Drury, Tracey (May 7, 2021). "Closed since the pandemic hit, Sear Steakhouse won't reopen — in the Avant, at least". BizJournals.com. Archived from the original on September 2, 2022. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
  62. ^ "Buffalo Bills Legend Fred Jackson and Codes Socks To Host Launch Party Benefiting A Trio of Local Charities". 24–7 Press Release Newswire. October 5, 2018. Archived from the original on October 6, 2018. Retrieved July 25, 2019.
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