Vincent Jackson



Vincent Jackson (born January 14, 1983 in Colorado Springs, Colorado) is an American football wide receiver who currently plays in the National Football League for the San Diego Chargers.

Early years
Jackson attended Widefield High School in Colorado Springs, Colorado. As a senior, he was a Rocky Mountain News All-State Honorable Mention, a first team All-Area pick, and a first team All-Conference pick. He also was a standout in basketball.

College career
Jackson played college football at the University of Northern Colorado. It was one of the few colleges that recruited Jackson out of high school. One of the few true freshman ever to play for the University of Northern Colorado, Vincent earned All American Honors as a punt returner, scoring the first time he ever touched a ball on a punt return against Adams State College (CO). He rewrote the record books on the way to becoming Northern Colorado's all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards (game & season), KR yards, PR yards, receiving touchdowns. His senior season was highlighted by a 13-catch 249-yard, 3-touchdown effort against Florida Atlantic.

2005 NFL Draft
Jackson was the 29th player selected in the second round (61st overall) of the 2005 NFL Draft (the highest ever by a Northern Colorado graduate) by the San Diego Chargers. (* represents NFL Combine)

San Diego Chargers
Jackson got off to a slow start in 2005 due to injuries. He was inactive for the first five games of the season and finally saw his first NFL action in an October 16 game against the Oakland Raiders. He caught his first pass on November 6 against the New York Jets, but he would only catch two more passes for the rest of the season.

Jackson caught his first NFL touchdown on September 17, 2006 in a victory over the Tennessee Titans. In 2006 in a Christmas Eve game against the Seattle Seahawks, Jackson had a memorable touchdown catch that led the Chargers to victory. With 29 seconds left, quarterback Philip Rivers threw a touchdown pass to Jackson and the Chargers ended up winning the game 20-17 and setting a franchise record for wins. Jackson ended the season strongly and finished second on the team with six touchdown catches.

In a 2006 game against the Oakland Raiders, Jackson nearly made one of the most bizarre turnovers in recent NFL history. After making a 13 yard catch on fourth down, Jackson immediately got up and spun the ball forward in celebration. Because Jackson had fallen on his own and was not tackled, Raiders cornerback Fabian Washington believed it to be a fumble and leapt upon the ball. Possession was originally awarded to Oakland, but the Chargers were then flagged for an illegal forward pass and allowed to keep the ball.

By virtue of the release of Keenan McCardell and an injury to Eric Parker, Jackson entered the 2007 season as a starting wide receiver for the Chargers. He started the season in an unmemorable fashion in a home game against the Chicago Bears by dropping a sure touchdown that bounced off his chest in the end zone. However, by the end of the season, Jackson had distinguished himself as a top target for Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers.

In the 2008 season, Jackson had a career season with 59 receptions, 7 TD'S and 1,098 yards.

During a January 17, 2010 divisional playoff game against the New York Jets, Jackson made a 37 yard catch that was challenged by Jets head coach Rex Ryan. Jackson received an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for kicking the challenge flag, which cost the Chargers 15 yards (The play was upheld).[3]

Jackson was selected to his first Pro Bowl during the 2009 NFL season as an alternate.

On July 1, 2010, it was announced that Jackson has been suspended for three games for violating the league's substance abuse policy.