Vincent Jackson, who at his peak was one of the best wide receivers in the NFL, was found dead at the age of 38.
According to the sheriff at Hillsborough District, Jackson’s body was discovered Monday morning in a hotel in Brandon, Florida. There were no signs of trauma and the cause of death is being investigated.
According to the hotel staff, Jackson, who lived locally, stopped by the hotel on 11 February. His family had reported him missing the previous day, but police found him safe in the hotel on Friday and the case was closed after checking on his well-being.
His family was notified.
“We are shocked and saddened by the news of Vincent Jackson’s sudden departure,” the Chargers, now in Los Angeles, said in a statement. ‘Vincent was not only a favorite for his fans on the field, but also for the impact he had on the community.
The work he has done on behalf of military families through his founding in the years since his retirement has been an inspiration to us all. We simply can not believe he’s gone, and our wife’s heart, Lindsey, their children, his parents, former teammates, and everyone whose lives have been affected by knowing Vincent cannot believe it. ”
The 6ft 5in Jackson played college football in Northern Colorado – where he also played on the basketball team – before being selected by the San Diego Chargers in the second round of the 2005 series. Injuries affected his early career before he hit his pass in San Diego, where he recorded three 1,000 yard seasons. In 2012, he signed a five-year deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and enjoyed a successful career in Florida. In his first season with the Bucs, he set a franchise record for receiving yards in a single game, going 216 yards against the New Orleans Saints.
He was named in the Pro Bowl in 2009, 2011 and 2012 before announcing his retirement in 2018.
And on the field, what made Vincent Jackson so special was that he was a vertical receiver who could trust a QB to always make a play in a disputed catch situation. We saw it regularly with him and Philip Rivers. pic.twitter.com/H1aAawIpmC
– Field Yates (@FieldYates) 15 February 2021
“I have always had a strong work ethic and that was my reliable foundation,” he said of his 2018 football career. “Regardless of the circumstances, good old-fashioned efforts have put me through.”
Jackson was a strong student in high school and returned to college to earn a degree in business administration while at the Bucs. He ran a real estate and development business after retirement, and was also involved in military charities.
“I come from a military background,” he said in 2018. ‘Both my parents served, my father spent 21 years in the U.S. Army. It is a labor of love and an effort that is close to my heart. I grew up with the challenges and experiences that military families went through, and that’s why I want to support these wonderful men, women and families in every way. ‘
Jackson is married with three children.