Rich Jackson
Encyclopedia
Rich Jackson 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, but he finished with an unofficial total of 43 sacks, 31 of which came during the three season period of 1968-1970. He finished with 10 sacks in both 1968 and 1970 and posted a career-high total of 11 in 1969. He was named 1st Team All-AFL by the AP
, Pro Football Weekly
and UPI
at the conclusion of the 1968 season and by the AP, NEA, NY Daily News, Pro Football Weekly, The Sporting News
and UPI at the end of the 1969 season. He was also a unanimous 1st Team All-NFL choice in 1970. 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
Southern University
Southern University and A&M College is a historically black college located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The Baton Rouge campus is located on Scott’s Bluff overlooking the Mississippi River in the northern section...
. Jackson played for the American Football League
American Football League
The American Football League was a major American Professional Football league that operated from 1960 until 1969, when the established National Football League merged with it. The upstart AFL operated in direct competition with the more established NFL throughout its existence...
's Oakland Raiders
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
in 1966 and the AFL Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
from 1967 through 1969. He played for the NFL Broncos in 1970 through 1971, and the NFL Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
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
Lyle Alzado
Lyle Martin Alzado was a professional American football defensive lineman of the National Football League famous for his intense and intimidating style of play....
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
Bill Hayhoe
William J. Hayhoe II is a former American footballoffensive tackle in the National Football League who played for the Green Bay Packers. Hayhoe played collegiate ball for Los Angeles Valley College and the University of Southern California before being drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the 5th...
, with a headslap. Jackson's career was cut short by a severe knee injury, but he finished with an unofficial total of 43 sacks, 31 of which came during the three season period of 1968-1970. He finished with 10 sacks in both 1968 and 1970 and posted a career-high total of 11 in 1969. He was named 1st Team All-AFL by the AP
Associated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
, Pro Football Weekly
Pro Football Weekly
Pro Football Weekly is an American sports magazine, founded in 1967, that covers the National Football League...
and UPI
United Press International
United Press International is a once-major international news agency, whose newswires, photo, news film and audio services provided news material to thousands of newspapers, magazines and radio and television stations for most of the twentieth century...
at the conclusion of the 1968 season and by the AP, NEA, NY Daily News, Pro Football Weekly, The Sporting News
The Sporting News
Sporting News is an American-based sports magazine. It was established in 1886, and it became the dominant American publication covering baseball — so much so that it acquired the nickname "The Bible of Baseball"...
and UPI at the end of the 1969 season. He was also a unanimous 1st Team All-NFL choice in 1970. Despite the shortened career, Sports Illustrated's football expert, Dr. Z, Paul Zimmerman
Paul Zimmerman
Paul Lionel Zimmerman is the son of Charles S. Zimmerman and Rose Zimmerman. Zimmerman, also known to readers as "Dr. Z", is an American football sportswriter who wrote for the weekly magazine Sports Illustrated, as well as the magazine's website, SI.com. He is sometimes confused with Paul D...
, 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
Goose Gonsoulin
Austin William "Goose" Gonsoulin of Baylor University was a Professional Football safety, the original Denver Bronco, selected first in the 1960 season. At the end of his Bronco career, he was the all-time American Football League leader in interceptions with 40...
, running back Floyd Little
Floyd Little
Floyd Douglas Little is a Pro Football Hall of Fame running back, and was a three-time American football All-American running back at Syracuse University. In 1967 he was the 6th selection of the first common AFL-NFL draft...
, and wide receiver Lionel Taylor
Lionel Taylor
Lionel Thomas Taylor is a former American football wide receiver who led the American Football League in receptions each year for the first six years of the league's existence.-College football:...
.
In 1975 he was voted to the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame. http://www.coloradosports.org/themuseum.cfm