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Former National Football League quarterback Tarvaris Jackson passed away in an Alabama car accident on Sunday, April 12, according to reports. At this time, further details about the accident have yet to be made available. Jackson’s passing was first reported by NFL Insider Ian Rapoport.
Jackson, who was just 36-years-old, played for three NFL teams during his decade-long NFL career: the Minnesota Vikings, the Seattle Seahawks, and the Buffalo Bills. At this time, neither of these three teams have released an official statement regarding Jackson’s untimely death.
Former #Seahawks QB Tarvaris Jackson died last night in a car accident in Alabama, a spokesperson for his employer Tennessee State tells me. Jackson, 36, was TSU’s QB coach. Along with Seattle, he also played for the #Vikings and #Bills.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 13, 2020
Drafted out of Alabama State University by the Minnesota Vikings in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft (pick #64 overall), Jackson –who was originally from Montgomery, Alabama — retired from professional NFL football after the 2015 season and was currently serving as the quarterback coach at Tennessee State University.
“I think you judge quarterbacks a little bit differently…When you see what you want at the quarterback position, you need to go get it. And that’s exactly what I see with Tarvaris Jackson is a guy that’s a piece of clay, that has all the skills in terms of, No. 1, what’s he look like throwing the football?. He’s got a great throwing motion; he’s athletic. He has all those things that we’re looking for, and he’s wired right. That’s important for a quarterback. I think he’s a flatline guy. I think he’s a sponge. You’re talking about a guy that never had a coach there as a quarterback coach. So what can he do with coaching?” then-Vikings head coach Brad Childress said after Jackson was drafted.
Jackson was one of the league’s better back-up quarterbacks during his time in the league, as he appeared in 59 games and threw for 7,263 yards, 39 touchdowns, and 35 interceptions on a 59.6% completion percentage during the course of his career.
In fact, during the 2011 season, Jackson was essentially the Seahawks’ starting quarterback as he started in 15 of their 16 regular-season games. During that run, Jackson threw for 3,091 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions on a 60.2% completion percentage.
TJack… you will be missed. Praying for your family…Love you man. 💔
— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) April 13, 2020
The thoughts and prayers of the entire BroBible staff are with Jackson’s friends, family, and loved ones during this extremely difficult time.
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Eric is a New York City-based writer who still isn’t quite sure how he’s allowed to have this much fun for a living and will tell anyone who listens that Gotham City is canonically in New Jersey. Follow him on Twitter @eric_ital for movie and soccer takes or contact him eric@brobible.com