Tarvaris Jackson

At 36 years old, Tarvaris Jackson has this physical status:

Tarvaris D. Jackson (born April 21, 1983) is a former American football quarterback.

Born and raised in Montgomery, Alabama, Jackson played college football at Arkansas and Alabama State, and in the National Football League (NFL) for the Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks, and Buffalo Bills. The Vikings selected Jackson in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft, and Jackson played for the Vikings from 2006 to 2010.

A reserve quarterback for much of his time with the Vikings, Jackson was starting quarterback for the 2007 season and part of the 2008 season, after which Jackson started the Vikings' Wild Card playoff game.

In 2011, Jackson signed with the Seahawks and was starting quarterback for the 2011 season.

Jackson was then traded to the Bills before the 2012 NFL season but never played a game.

Jackson returned to the Seahawks in 2013.

He was the backup quarterback for Russell Wilson during Super Bowl XLVIII over the Denver Broncos.

Personal life and death

Jackson was married and had three children.

Jackson was arrested on June 25, 2016 in Kissimmee, Florida and charged with aggravated assault after police said he threatened his wife with a gun. After the arrest, Jackson publicly stated that he lacked the money to afford an attorney.

On April 12, 2020, Jackson was killed in a car accident nine days before his 37th birthday. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said Jackson was killed in a single-car crash at 8:50 p.m. He had been driving in Pike Road, Alabama, when his 2012 Chevrolet Camaro drifted off the road, struck a tree and flipped. Jackson had been driving 70 mph in a 30 mph zone and was wearing a seatbelt.

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Early life and college career

Jackson was born and raised in Montgomery, Alabama, and graduated from Sidney Lanier High School of Montgomery in 2001. Jackson was then enrolled at the University of Arkansas and appeared in three games for the Razorbacks as a freshman, but he sustained a season-ending injury. As a result, Jackson was granted a medical redshirt for the season. Jackson finished 2001 with 3 of 9 passes completed for 53 yards with 1 interception and 1 interceptor, as well as a rushing 14 yards on 7 attempts. Jackson played 8 games in 2002. He completed 14 of 39 passes for 143 yards, 1 touchdown, 2 interceptions, and 2 interceptions.

Jackson, who was trailing on the depth chart to future first-round draft pick Matt Jones, and the Hornets to an 8–5 record and a spot in the SWAC Championship Game in 2003. He completed 160 of 316 passes for 2,342 yards, 18 touchdowns, 13 interceptions, and 13 interceptions, as well as rushing 444 yards on 91 passes, with five touchdowns. In Alabama State's second 10-win season in school history, Jackson was named MVP as a junior in 2004. Jackson finished with 11 plays in 12 games, totaling 2,556 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions. He had 67 passes for 215 yards and three touchdowns. Jackson was voted team captain and was a second-team All-SWAC pick in his senior season in 2005. He passed for 2,655 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions. On 95 attempts, he passed for 271 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Professional career

Vikings scouts and staff had been apparently keeping him closely in secrecy over his senior years, particularly admiring his appearance in the East-West Shrine Game. They were also impressed by his workout at the scouting team (among the top 5 quarterbacks in ball speed and the 40-yard dash). Multiple NFL clubs, including the Vikings, had secret workouts with him. Jackson was picked with the last pick in the 2nd round (64th overall) of the 2006 NFL Draft, but he was expected to return much later, in the sixth or seventh round. To get the 2nd round pick, the Vikings traded two 3rd round picks, fearing that he would be picked sooner rather than expected. Jackson's early pick caused some surprise, as he was the 5th quarterback selected and the 1st Division I-AA player chosen (the previous I-AA quarterback selected was Spergon Wynn in 2000). In 1992, Ricky Jones, the first quarterback from Alabama State to be drafted into the NFL since Ricky Jones. Even Jackson was taken aback by the pick, saying, "I was more concentrated on [getting drafted in] the third round, and even that was stretching it." Although he was the 5th selected, most pre-draft publications did not even have him listed as one of the top ten eligible quarterbacks, while others did not even include him as one of the top ten eligible quarterbacks. Jackson also agreed to a four-year contract with Minnesota, which included a $1 million signing bonus.

Brad Childress, the Vikings' coach, had been quoted days before writing that he was interested in finding a "diamond in the rough" quarterback of the future, with raw talent that could be taught a method.

Childress was quoted by the St. Paul Pioneer Press the day after the draft: "I think you judge quarterbacks a little bit differently." If you want to play quarterback, you must get it. And that's just what I see with Tarvaris Jackson: a guy who's a piece of clay with all the attributes of No. 1 What does it look like to throw the football? He has all the things we're looking for, and he's wired right. For a quarterback, it's vital. I believe he is a flatline guy. I suspect he's a sponge. You're talking about a guy who never had a coach as a quarterback coach.

So what can he do with coaching?"

Jackson's 2006 pre-season passer rating was 106.1, 15th in the league out of a total of 110 quarterbacks who played. Only one quarterback from his draft class (Jay Cutler) did better. He also demonstrated superb scrambling abilities, averaging 11.3 yards per rush (the only Viking other than Brad Johnson to average more than 3.3 yards per rush). Michael Vick, a right-handed Michael Vick, was referred to Jackson by ESPN analyst Mike Tirico. Mike McMahon and J. T. O'Sullivan were among the second and third-string quarterbacks on the depth chart, with his pre-season success enough to put him ahead of second and third position quarterbacks Mike McMahon and J. T. O'Sullivan. McMahon and O'Sullivan were cut from the squad, but Brooks Bollinger was brought in, who Jackson later competed for the top-two championship.

Jackson underwent minor knee surgery on September 25, 2006, to repair the meniscus in his knee. After Johnson was suspended for throwing four interceptions and backup quarterback Brooks Bollinger was unable to play his first NFL game with the Vikings in week 13 against the Chicago Bears in the fourth quarter, he returned to limited practice after two weeks. Jackson completed three of his four passes before fumbling the ball to Chicago and the Bears then ran the clock out. Jackson was asked if he was able to start as starter during the game, but he replied, "No, really. We still have a chance to make the playoffs, so we're still trying to do that." So we can continue on that, and it's clear that Brad is still our quarterback."

Johnson started the game but was suspended in the fourth quarter after the Vikings had been underperforming the entire game losing by a score of 26–7 at the time Jackson went in late against the New York Jets in Week 15. Despite Johnson's inability to throw an interception or had a respectable passer rating of 94.2 in the game, the Minnesota fans booed him throughout the game and yelled "We want Jackson." Johnson had only thrown nine touchdowns this season (in 14 games) and had a career low 71.9 passer rating throughout the season, according to several. As he trotted out onto the field, Jackson was greeted with a standing ovation. Jackson's first touchdown pass to Mewelde Moore was a turning point in his career. While the Jets covered their large lead, Jackson threw 177 yards, one touchdown, and ran three times for 20 yards. In the red zone, he also launched an intercept.

Jackson was named the starting quarterback for Minnesota at the end of his rookie season. Jackson's first game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field was a week 16 nights. Game conditions were really bad. Through the evening, a steady rain fell, but the kickoff temperature was only 36 degrees Fahrenheit. The Vikings lost by a score of 9-7, with the only Vikings scoring coming from an interception for a touchdown by defensive back Fred Smoot. The offense had only three first downs in the entire game, didn't get close enough to the end zone to even attempt a field goal, and only had 27 passing yards against the NFL's 19th ranked defense (ranked 26th against the pass). Jackson had a passer rating of 36.5 yards (16-20 for 50 yards), one touchdown, and one fumble. Brett Favre, the Packers quarterback, had only a marginally higher completion percentage (26-48), and threw two interceptions. He had no touchdowns on 285 yards.

Despite being a starter and starting 8–4 in 2007, Jackson didn't live up to the Vikings' hopes in 2007. Jackson had nine touchdowns and 12 interceptions, as well as a 159-yard average, causing the Vikings to have the second-worst passing offense in the NFL. His 70.8 passer rating ranked 28th among NFL quarterbacks. Jackson missed three games due to injuries, including a strained groin, a concussion, and a fractured index finger. The Vikings were unable to qualify for the playoffs. According to analysts, the Vikings had an 8-0 record on the profitable running of Chester Taylor and rookie Adrian Peterson, which took the heat off Jackson and the defense.

Opponents deciding to put all their defensive efforts on stopping Peterson and the Vikings from playing, while daring Jackson to defeat them in the passing game. Against the Vikings, the Washington Redskins effectively used five defensive lineman or four linebackers, leaving only two or three defensive backs in pass coverage. Instead of covering receivers with them, the 49ers blitzed their cornerbacks 20 percent of the time. Jackson led the Vikings to two fourth quarter drives to tie the game and put it into overtime in the season's last game against the Denver Broncos. In overtime, however, Jackson fumbled on the second play, and the Vikings lost the game. Jackson's improvement over the season was slowed during the Vikings' five-game winning streak in November, but he also showed his inexperience in several ill-judged interceptions, jump passes, and turnovers. Childress will not say if Tarvaris Jackson will be the starter in 2008 until the season ends, but she did not want to "evaluate the whole body of work" first.

The summer of 2008 featured a lot of media coverage about Jackson. With Jared Allen, traded from the Kansas City Chiefs and free agents Bernard Berrian and Madieu Williams, the Vikings upgraded their team with seven players who were in the 2008 Pro Bowl (only three teams had more) and invested $60 million in guaranteed contract funds. Multiple analysts agreed that better quarterback play was all that was required to make the Vikings one of the best fighting teams in the league, and that the Green Bay Packers' NFC North Division was up for grabs, with the Green Bay Packers losing Brett Favre. Paul Zimmerman of Illustrated predicts that the Vikings will win the Super Bowl.

Brad Childress, the head coach, wanted to keep Jackson as the starting quarterback and brought in Gus Frerotte to be his backup. Jackson had a new swagger, handled situations in practice safely, and had an improved understanding of the Vikings' offensive system, as was widely reported in the off-season. The childress hosted a "Coaching 101" clinic for media journalists in which he participated in Jackson's 2007 campaign of missed passes or poor decisions made in early games but ended with a tape of him hitting a target net with every 15-yard pass he threw during an offseason drill. Although it was Jackson's third season with the Vikings, it was also his second year playing, and NFL quarterbacks saw their bestowls increase between their first and second years. Jackson had another good preseason until he injured his knee in the second preseason game, excluding him from playing the last two preseason games.

Jackson threw a game-ending interception against the Green Bay Packers in the first game of the regular season, and the Vikings made five field goal attempts and no touchdowns against the Indianapolis Colts in the second game of the season. Both games were decided by close margins, and Jackson's 64.8 passer rating ranked him 26th in the NFL. Jackson would still be the starter next week, according to the childress, but after a coaches' meeting, he changed his mind and benched Jackson for the remainder of the year.

Jackson saw his next big action against Detroit on Week 14, where he starred in the entire second half in place of an injured Gus Frerotte. Jackson finished eight of ten passes for 105 yards and a touchdown, as the Vikings trailed 6-3 at halftime to the winless Lions, with an 11-yard touchdown to tie Visanthe Shiancoe to the game-winning score for the Vikings. Jackson was the starting quarterback against the Arizona Cardinals this week, despite Frerotte being out injured, and he played arguably the best game of his career. Jackson completed 11 of 17 passes for 163 yards and had four touchdown passes and no interceptions, the most impressively. Jackson was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week for his appearances as well as the FedEx Air Player of the Week award.

Despite Jackson's stellar play in Week 16, the Vikings lost 24–17 to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 16. He completed 22 of 36 passes for 233 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. He also passed for 76 yards (which was equal to Adrian Peterson's total number). In Week 17, Jackson overcame an interception in the end zone by leading the Vikings on a touchdown kick (a 54-yard field goal to Bernard Berrian) and the game-winning field goal chase on the following possessions, putting the Vikings in a win-and-in situation against the New York Giants. The Vikings defeated the Giants 20-19, winning the NFC North title.

With a loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, the Vikings' season came to an end. Jackson finished 15-for-35 for 164 yards in the game, with just one interception.

Jackson began playing for a starting job with Sage Rosenfels, the Vikings had acquired from the Houston Texans in 2009. Brett Favre, a former New York Jets and Green Bay Packers quarterback who had retired after the 2008 season, was also on the lookout. Favre said he would not join the Vikings until training camp, but Jackson and Rosenfels split duties in the early part of camp. Jackson was the second quarterback to play in the first preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs, and he was expected to begin the second preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Favre did not announce that he will play for the Vikings after all, and the Vikings announced on August 19 that it would be a change. According to reports, Jackson, Rosenfels, and 2008 third-stringer John David Booty were competing for two roster spots and the primary backup position. Many analysts expected the Vikings to kill Jackson.

Jackson made a good play in Favre's debut against the Kansas City Chiefs, throwing for 202 yards and two touchdowns in backup duty. The Vikings ultimately retained Jackson and Rosenfels on the active roster, with Jackson serving as the primary backup to Favre.

In garbage time, Jackson appeared in the Vikings' first two games of the season.

Jackson re-signed Jackson on April 19, 2010, as the Vikings waited for Favre to announce his return for another season, which he did. Jackson was a restricted free agent who was given a one-year tender worth $1.176 million. For the 2010 season, Jackson backed up Favre.

In Week 8 against the New England Patriots, Jackson was drafted to replace an injured Favre. In the loss, Jackson threw for just one touchdown. In Week 13 against the Buffalo Bills, Jackson was ruled out for an injured Favre once more. In the 38-14 victory, Jackson threw two touchdown passes to Sidney Rice, but he also threw three interceptions. Jackson started against the New York Giants on December 13, replacing the injured Favre. Jackson sustained a turf toe injury in that game and missed the remainder of the season.

The Vikings turned down a contract bid from Jackson to play for them in the 2011 season on March 3, 2011. Jackson became an unrestricted free agent under league rules.

Jackson officially agreed to a two-year deal with the Seattle Seahawks on July 29, 2011, and was named as the starting quarterback shortly after. During his time in Seattle, he had reunited with offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell and wide receiver Sidney Rice, both players of the Vikings. Jackson was named offensive team captain by Matt Hasselbeck, who signed with the Tennessee Titans, along with wide receiver Mike Williams. Despite having a below-average year compared to other quarterbacks in the league, Jackson had the best year of his career, throwing 3,091 yards and 13 interceptions, with 14 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. The Seahawks signed former Green Bay Packers quarterback Matt Flynn and drafted Wisconsin quarterback Russell Wilson to compete with Jackson for the 2012 starting quarterback job.

Jackson was traded to the Buffalo Bills for a conditional seventh round draft pick on August 26, 2012. Jackson, the third-string quarterback for the season, was unable to see any game action in 2012.

The Bills re-signed Jackson to a one-year, $2.25 million contract on February 15, 2013. He was released on June 10, 2013. Jackson is expected to return to the Seattle Seahawks for the 2013 season, according to ESPN on June 12.

Jackson signed a one-year contract with the Seattle Seahawks on June 13, 2013. For the backup quarterback position behind starter Russell Wilson, Jackson battled with Brady Quinn. The Seahawks cut quarterback Jerrod Johnson in honor of Jackson's signing. Brady Quinn was cut from the Seahawks and Jackson was named as Wilson's official backup quarterback. Jackson played in three games during the 2013 regular season, totaling 151 passing yards and a touchdown. Jackson came in relief of Russell Wilson in the fourth quarter against the Denver Broncos for the first time in 13 years any backup quarterback has played in a Super Bowl. The Seahawks defeated the Broncos 43–8 to win their first Super Bowl in franchise history. Following the season, Jackson signed a one-year contract with the Seahawks to remain in the organization. The Seahawks made it to Super Bowl XLIX, but they were unable to repeat as Super Bowl champions after losing by 28-24 to the New England Patriots.

Jackson became an unrestricted free agent following the 2015 season. Pete Carroll, the Seahawks' coach, expressed a concern for re-signing Jackson, but the team ultimately chose undrafted rookie Trevone Boykin as their backup quarterback the following season.

Coaching career

Jackson, the alma mater, spent his summer as a graduate assistant at Alabama State in 2018. In 2019, Jackson was named quarterbacks coach for Tennessee State.

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