Jackie Wallace

Jackie Wallace (born March 13, 1951) is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Arizona Wildcats from 1970 through 1972 and in the NFL for the Minnesota Vikings, Baltimore Colts, and Los Angeles Rams from 1974 through 1979, taking part in two Super Bowls with the Vikings and Rams.

Since the end of his NFL career, Wallace has periodically struggled with substance abuse and experienced bouts of homelessness. In 2014, he joined a class-action concussion lawsuit against the NFL. His whereabouts were unknown until November 2019 when NOLA did another article about him.

Biography Early life

Wallace was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, where he lived in the St. Bernard Projects.

Career

Wallace attended St. Augustine High School in New Orleans. He enrolled at the University of Arizona and played college football for the Arizona Wildcats from 1970 through 1972.

The Minnesota Vikings selected Wallace in the second round, with the 34th overall pick, in the 1973 NFL draft. Wallace played six professional seasons as a cornerback from 1974 through 1979. He spent his rookie season on the Vikings' practice squad, including Super Bowl VIII. He became a starter for the Vikings the next year, and started in Super Bowl IX. Wallace achieved sobriety again in 2014 and joined Narcotics Anonymous; the same year, Wallace took part in a lawsuit against the NFL regarding concussions.

In July 2017, Wallace disappeared again, having relapsed and returned to the streets.

In August 2020, photojournalist Ted Jackson released a biography of Wallace's life titled You Ought To Do A Story About Me. The two were interviewed by The Today Show, NPR's Weekend Edition and Access Hollywood detailing on how they met, became friends and eventually ended up collaborating on the book.