Vincent Jackson, a former wide receiver for the Buccaneers and Chargers, was found dead Monday in the Florida hotel where he had been living since January. Jackson was 38.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is investigating, and a cause of death has yet to be determined, but the sheriff’s office said there was no sign of trauma.
Selected in the second round of the 2005 draft by the Chargers out of Northern Colorado, Jackson played his first seven seasons in the NFL in San Diego before signing with Tampa Bay and spending the last five years of his career with the Bucs.
A three-time Pro Bowler, Jackson finished his 12 years in the NFL with 540 receptions, 9,080 receiving yards and 57 touchdown grabs.
Known for his big plays on the field, Jackson was also a star off of it and founded the Jackson In Action 83 Foundation, a nonprofit that supports military families. In his five years in Tampa, Jackson was named Buccaneers man of the year four times and was also named an honorary deputy by local law enforcement.
“My heart aches for the many loved ones Vincent Jackson leaves behind, from his wife and children to the Buccaneers nation that adored him,” Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said on Twitter. “Mr. Jackson was a devoted man who put his family and community above everything else.”
Named to Business Observer’s “40 under 40” list last year, Jackson was active working with his foundation and also authored a series of children’s books about growing up in a military family called Danny Dogtags.
“During his five seasons with our franchise, Vincent was a consummate professional, who took a great deal of pride in his performance on and off the football field,” Buccaneers co-chairman Bryan Glazer said in a statement. “Vincent was a dedicated father, husband, businessman and philanthropist, who made a deep impact on our community through his unyielding advocacy for military families, supported by the Jackson in Action 83 Foundation.”
Jackson, who last played in 2016 when a torn ACL limited him to five games, is survived by his wife Lindsey and four children.
“Vincent was a fan favorite, not only for his Pro Bowl play on the field but for the impact he made on the community off it,” the Chargers said in a statement. “The work he has done on behalf of military families through his foundation in the years since his retirement has been an inspiration to all of us. We simply cannot believe he’s gone.”
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