Rich Jackson

Infobox Pro Football player
Name=Rich Jackson

---

Jersey=87
Color=Blue
fontcolor=Orange
DateOfBirth=birth date and age|1941|07|22
Birthplace=New Orleans, Louisiana
DateOfDeath=
College=Southern
Position=Defensive End
AFLDraftedYear=1966
AFLDraftedRound= : Free Agent
Stats=Y
Career Highlights=Y
AFLAllStar=1968, 1969
Pro Bowls=1970
Awards=
Honors=AFL All-Time 2nd Team
years=1966
1967-1969
1970-1972
1972
teams=AFL Oakland Raiders
AFL Denver Broncos
NFL Denver Broncos
NFL Cleveland Browns
PFR=JackRi00
DatabaseFootball=JACKSRIC01

Rich Jackson (born July 22, 1941 in New Orleans, Louisiana) was an American college and professional football player. In college Jackson played for Southern University. Jackson played for the American Football League's Oakland Raiders in 1966 and the AFL Denver Broncos from 1967 through 1969. He played for the NFL Broncos in 1970 through 1971, and the NFL Cleveland Browns in 1972. Jackson was All-Pro in 1969 and 1970.

Jackson, a defensive end whose nickname was "Tombstone", was famous for moves such as the "head slap" and the "halo spinner" which he used to subdue opposing offensive linemen. In the late Lyle Alzado's book "Mile High" he recalled Rich Jackson as the toughest man he'd ever met, and told the story of Jackson breaking the helmet of Green Bay Packer offensive tackle, Bill Hayhoe, with a headslap. Jackson's career was cut short by a severe knee injury. Despite the shortened career, Sports Illustrated's football expert, Dr. Z, 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. As it was Jackson will be remembered as a great one, only by a handful of football insiders, including those who lined up with and against him.

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.

In 1975 he was voted to the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame. [http://www.coloradosports.org/themuseum.cfm]

ee also

*List of American Football League players

External links

* [http://www.conigliofamily.com/AFLHallofFamePhotos.htm#RichJackson Jackson's 1970 Topps football card]