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Former NFL wide receiver Vincent Jackson was found dead at a Homewood Suites in Brandon, Florida on February 15, but according to the Hillsborough County preliminary medical examiner’s report, he may have been dead for three days before being found.
According to the report, hotel staff members entered Jackson’s room on February 13 and February 14 and noticed Jackson slouched over on the couch, but assumed he was sleeping. It wasn’t until February 15 when staff members entered his room again and became concerned.
Jackson’s autopsy report shows that he suffered from chronic alcoholism and other health issues prior to his death. Jackson’s family also shared concerns that he may have suffered from CTE.
We got the autopsy report back that is going to be released today,” Hillsborough County Sheriff Chronister said, per the Tampa Bay Times. “Unfortunately, he suffered from chronic alcoholism. Again, just tragic. We haven’t gotten the toxicology report back, so can’t say with any certainty that was it. But a lot of longstanding health conditions that contributed to his passing because of some alcohol abuse.”
“This is just speculation, but what the family is telling me is that he suffered from CTE,” Chronister said. “They believe he had a lot of concussion problems. When you suffer from that, you’re not yourself, you’re not your normal self.
Members of Jackson’s family reported that he was missing days before his passing, but he was contacted by police, and the missing person case was canceled. He was found dead in a hotel room three days after speaking to officers.
After being drafted in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft out of Northern Colorado, Jackson played 155 games in the NFL – 92 with San Diego and 63 with Tampa Bay. He was a Pro Bowler in 2009, 2011, and 2012.
[WFLA]