Bernard Jackson (defensive back)

For other people named Bernard Jackson, see Bernard Jackson (disambiguation).

Bernard Jackson
refer to caption
Jackson with the Broncos in Super Bowl XII
No. 23, 29, 26
Position:Safety, Cornerback
Personal information
Born:(1950-08-24)August 24, 1950
Washington, D.C., U.S.
Died:May 26, 1997(1997-05-26) (aged 46)
Lompoc, California, U.S.
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:178 lb (81 kg)
Career information
High school:Susan Miller Dorsey
(Los Angeles, California)
College:Washington State  (1970–71)
Pierce College       (1968–69)
NFL draft:1972 / round: 4 / pick: 81
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Interceptions:17
Fumble recoveries:8
Return yards:2,709
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Bernard Frank Jackson (born August 24, 1950 – May 26, 1997) was an American football defensive back who played for three National Football League (NFL) teams. He was the 81st pick in the 1972 NFL draft, selected by the Cincinnati Bengals as a defensive back. After five years, he was traded to the Denver Broncos in March 1977,[1] and was a starter, including Super Bowl XII.[2]

College career

As a collegiate player at Washington State in the Pac-8, Jackson was a running back and kick returner for head coach Jim Sweeney[2][3][4][5][6] During his senior season in 1971, he rushed for 1,189 yards on 177 attempts (6.7 avg, 1st in Pac-8)[7] and was named First-team All-Pac-8 and All-Coast.[8] His 2,118 all-purpose yards in 1971–1,189 on the ground, 744 in kickoff returns and 185 receiving—remains the all-time WSU single-season record. He returned two kickoffs for TDs and also scored on a fake punt that season. He is a member of the WSU Athletics Hall of Fame.[8]

A 1968 graduate of Dorsey High School in Los Angeles, he had dreamed of playing for the USC Trojans, but was just 160 pounds (73 kg) and began his college career at Pierce College in Los Angeles.[3]

Professional career

After five years with the Bengals, Jackson was traded to the Denver Broncos in March 1977, and that season the Broncos won the AFC title and advanced to Super Bowl XII. Jackson started the game, but the Broncos lost to the Dallas Cowboys 27–10.

Injured with a muscle bruise for much of the 1980 season, he was waived in late November and picked up by the San Diego Chargers.[9]

Death

Jackson died of liver cancer at age 46 in Lompoc, California,[2][10][11][12] and is buried at its Evergreen Cemetery.

References

  1. ^ "Jackson traded to Broncos". Southeast Missourian. (Cape Girardeau). Associated Press. March 17, 1977. p. 16.
  2. ^ a b c "Ex-Cougar Football Player Jackson Dies". Seattle Times. May 28, 1997. Retrieved December 8, 2015.
  3. ^ a b Brown, Bruce (September 30, 1971). "Desire to hit is costly sometimes". Spokane Daily Chronicle. (Washington). p. 27.
  4. ^ "Jackson tabbed star of the month". Spokane Daily Chronicle. (Washington). October 12, 1971. p. 19.
  5. ^ Brown, Bruce (February 2, 1972). "SWAB victors go east". Spokane Daily Chronicle. (Washington). p. 29.
  6. ^ Missildine, Harry (January 15, 1978). "Two paths to the Super Bowl". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). p. D1.
  7. ^ "Bernard Jackson". Sports Reference. College football. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved December 8, 2015.
  8. ^ a b Witter, Greg. "A fateful quest to find former WSU star back Bernard Jackson". Cougfan.com. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  9. ^ "Broncos waive Bernard Jackson". Tuscaloosa News. (Alabama). Associated Press. November 27, 1980. p. 23.
  10. ^ "Record-setting Cougar Jackson dies of cancer". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). May 28, 1997. p. C1.
  11. ^ "Liver cancer claims ex-Coug star Jackson". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). May 28, 1997. p. 2B.
  12. ^ "Former WSU running back dies". Moscow-Pullman Daily News. (Idaho-Washington). May 28, 1997. p. 3B.