Edwin Jackson

**Edwin Joseph Jackson** (December 19, 1991 – February 4, 2018) was an American football linebacker. He played college football at Georgia Southern University. He signed with the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL) as an undrafted free agent in 2015, and then spent two seasons with the Indianapolis Colts.

## High School Career

Jackson attended Westlake High School in his hometown of Atlanta, Georgia, where he was a letterman in football and wrestling. In football, he played the position of linebacker, kicker, and punter.

Jackson was a 5A Georgia High School State Championship finalist in Wrestling at the 189 lb weight division. He won regional championships his junior and senior years.

## College Career

Making the Georgia Southern Football Team as a tryout walk-on, Jackson saw action in 13 games as a freshman, and had 10 tackles. He played in 12 games as a sophomore in 2012, collecting 16 tackles and six special teams tackles. Earning the starting middle linebacker spot his junior season, Jackson totaled a team-best 92 tackles, 2.0 sacks and a fumble recovery in 11 games. A highlight game that year featured Jackson posting 10 tackles, including a team-leading eight solo stops in 26-20 upset win against the University of Florida. Jackson was named the College Sports Madness Southern Conference Player of the Week for his performance against the Florida Gators.

In Jackson's senior year, he was voted team captain by his teammates, and recorded a career-high 100 tackles, which ranked in the top- 10 of the Sun Belt Conference. He had four games with 13-plus tackles. Jackson also had a forced fumble and an interception, which helped seal a win at South Alabama. Jackson helped Georgia Southern win the Sun Belt Conference Championship in the school's inaugural year competing on the NCAA Football Championship Series (FCS) level in 2014. He was awarded First Team All-Sun Belt honors.

Jackson was nominated for the Burlsworth Trophy, which nationally honors former walk-on players who have made significant contributions to their school's team. He was also nominated for the Wuerffel Trophy, which acknowledges players who show exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement. Also, Jackson was nominated for AllState Good Works Team for his volunteer work at a local Statesboro elementary school, and hosting a football clinic for children in Costa Rica during his Christmas break. Lastly, Jackson competed in the prestigious Medal of Honor Senior Bowl in Charleston, SC after completing his senior year.

## Arizona Cardinals

Jackson was signed by the Cardinals as an undrafted free agent on May 5, 2015. Prior to signing with the team at his initial meeting with Cardinals coaching staff, he brought pound cakes homemade by his mother as an apology for missing his scheduled flight - this earned Jackson the nickname "Pound Cake" that stayed with him throughout his professional career. He was released on August 31, 2015 after competing in the 2015 Cardinals' preseason games.

## Indianapolis Colts

On December 8, 2015, Jackson was signed to the Colts' practice squad. He was released on December 16,

2015 and re-signed on December 22. He signed a reserve/future contract with the Colts on January 5, 2016.

In 2016, Jackson played in all 16 games with 8 starts, recording 66 tackles.

On September 2, 2017, Jackson was placed on injured reserve.

## Death

On the same night as the Super Bowl, February 4, 2018, 26-year-old Jackson and a 54-year-old uber-driver

named Jeffrey Monroe pulled over because Jackson felt sick. A drunk 37-year-old illegal immigrant man named Manuel Orrego-Savala then struck both men with his Ford F-150 pickup truck. Both Jackson and Monroe died at the scene. Savala then tried to flee from the scene. A few hours later he was arrested.