Bernard Jackson

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

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 During his senior season in 1971, he rushed for 1,189 yards on 177 attempts (6.7 avg, 1st in Pac-8) and was named First-team All-Pac-8 and All-Coast. 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.

Death Jackson died of liver cancer at age 46 in Lompoc, California, and is buried at its Evergreen Cemetery.