Rich Jackson

Richard Samuel Jackson (born July 22, 1941), nicknamed "Tombstone", is an American former professional football player who was a defensive end and a linebacker in the American Football League (AFL) and National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Southern Jaguars. Jackson played for the AFL's Oakland Raiders in 1966 and Denver Broncos from 1967 through 1969, remaining with the Broncos in 1970 through 1971 after their post-merger transition to the NFL, and the Cleveland Browns in 1972. Jackson was named an All-Pro in 1969 and 1970.

Early life and college Jackson was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on July 22, 1941. His father died when he was four, and Jackson was raised by his mother Katherine. He grew up in a rough area in Algiers, New Orleans and attended L.B. Landry High School where he played football for legendary coach Felix James. In 1959, Jackson led Landry to a state championship in football, with a record of 10–0–1.

He showed outstanding skills and determination as a 210-pound defensive end and also ended up running track when one of the school's sprinters beat him in a 100-yard foot race. He spent the entire school year working on his speed. When track season came around, Jackson bested that sprinter in a rematch and earned a spot on the track team. He threw the discus, javelin and shot, as well as anchoring relay teams and running the 220-yard dash. In one March 1960 track meet, he came in first in shotput, second in discus, and fourth in the 220-yard dash. Jackson was first or second in shot put and discus multiple times later in the track season that year.

Jackson saw football as a means to a college education, with his greatest athletic passion being track and field.

He also lettered in track and won the NAIA Shotput competition in 1962. His 58 ft 1 in (17.7 m) heave in 1964 was a Louisiana collegiate record, which has been reported to be a standing record at least as of 2019. ) As a track star, Jackson won seven Southwestern Athletic Conference championships, four in discus and three in shotput.

Jackson eventually earned a master's degree at Southern. He did not play in 1965, but came back to the Raiders in 1966, playing in five games at linebacker in his rookie season. He did not start in any games, playing mostly on special teams. and Jerry Strum to the Raiders in exchange for Jackson, Dick Tyson and Ray Schmautz. Taylor's All-Pro days were behind him, however, and he never played for Oakland after being waived; finishing out his final two years playing sparingly for the Houston Oilers. By all reckoning, he started 52 of 67 games in 5.5 years with the Broncos from 1967-72.

During his time in the NFL, Jackson's nickname was "Tombstone," and he became famous for moves such as the "head slap" and the "halo spinner" which he used to subdue opposing offensive linemen. In Lyle Alzado's book "Mile High" he recalled Jackson as the toughest man he had ever met, and told the story of Jackson breaking the helmet of Green Bay Packers offensive tackle Bill Hayhoe with a head slap.

Alzado says Hayhoe had been tormenting a then-rookie Alzado, and Jackson, as the team's enforcer moved into Alzado's spot to face the Packer lineman. He split the man's helmet, drove him to his knees with a bloodied face, leaving Hayhoe to be helped off the field.

Jackson recorded 10 sacks in both 1968 and 1970 and posted a career-high total of 11 in 1969. It has also been reported he had 10.5 sacks in 1968, 12.5 in 1969, and ten in 1970. and by the AP, Newspaper Enterprise Association (NEA), New York Daily News, Pro Football Weekly, The Sporting News, and UPI at the end of the 1969 season. He was also a unanimous First-Team All-NFL choice in 1970. He played in the AFL All-Star game in 1968 and 1969, and the NFL Pro Bowl in 1970. Despite the shortened career, Sports Illustrated'''s football expert, Paul Zimmerman, said that Tombstone Jackson was perhaps the finest overall defensive end and pass rusher he ever saw, a surefire Hall of Famer if he would have had a longer playing career, in a bigger media market. Zimmerman grouped Jackson with all-time great Deacon Jones at defensive end, having the highest level of competitiveness and athleticism. Jones, whose autobiography is entitled Headslap'', himself admitted he did not invent the head slap, which may have originated with his Los Angeles Rams teammate Roosevelt Grier, but like Jackson considered himself to have developed and mastered the tactic.

Honors Jackson wore number 87 with the Broncos and was part of the inaugural class of inductees into the Denver Broncos' "Ring of Fame". He was inducted in 1984 along with safety Goose Gonsoulin, running back Floyd Little, and wide receiver Lionel Taylor. He was voted to the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame in 1975.

In 1988, he was inducted into the Greater New Orleans Sports Hall of Fame. In 2019, Jackson was inducted into the Black College Football Hall of Fame. He was named to the second team AFL Hall of Fame All-Decade Team for the 1960s.

In 2015, the Professional Football Researchers Association named Jackson to the PRFA Hall of Very Good Class of 2015.

Personal life After retiring from football, Jackson took a job with Orleans Parish School System as a teacher. He coached the Kenner Knights of the semi-pro Continental Football league.

He and his wife Katherine have two daughters.