Vincent Jackson, who at his peak was one of the best wide receivers in the NFL, was found dead at age 38.
Hillsborough County sheriff’s office said Jackson’s body was discovered at a hotel in Brandon, Florida, on Monday morning. There were no signs of trauma and the cause of death is being investigated.
According to the hotel staff, Jackson, who lived on site, stayed at the hotel on February 11. His family had reported his disappearance the day before, but the police found him safe at the hotel on Friday and the case was closed after they checked his welfare.
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“We are shocked and deeply saddened by the news of Vincent Jackson’s sudden death,” Chargers, now based in Los Angeles, said in a statement. “Vincent was a fan favorite not only for his Pro Bowl game, but also for the impact he made on the community.
“The work he has done on behalf of military families through his foundation since his retirement has been an inspiration for all of us. We just can’t believe he’s gone, and our hearts are with his wife, Lindsey, their children, their parents, ex-teammates and everyone whose lives have been touched because they met Vincent. “
The 6-foot-5 player in Jackson played college football in Northern Colorado – where he also starred on the basketball team – before being selected by the San Diego Chargers in the second round of the 2005 draft. Injuries affected his early career before he hit his pace in San Diego, where he recorded three 1,000-yard seasons. In 2012, he signed a five-year contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and had a successful career in Florida, recording another three 1,000-yard seasons. 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 nominated for the Pro Bowl in 2009, 2011 and 2012 before announcing his retirement in 2018.
And on the pitch, what made Vincent Jackson so special was that he was a vertical receiver that a QB could rely on to always make a move in a tight reception situation. We saw this many times with him and Philip Rivers. pic.twitter.com/H1aAawIpmC
– Yates Field (@FieldYates) February 15, 2021
“I have always had a strong work ethic and that has proven to be my trusted foundation,” he said of his football career in 2018. “No matter the circumstances, the good old effort has helped me.”
Jackson was a good student in high school and returned to college to major in business administration while he was with the Bucs. He ran a real estate and development company after retirement and also got involved in military charities.
“I come from a military background,” he said in 2018. “My parents served, my father for 21 years in the U.S. Army. It is a labor of love and an effort that is dear and dear to me. I grew up with the challenges and experiences that military families go through, so I want to support these incredible men, women and families in any way I can. “
Jackson was married and had three children.