30 Facts About Rich Jackson

Rich Jackson was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on July 22,1941.

Rich Jackson's father died when he was four, and Jackson was raised by his mother Katherine.

In 1959, Rich Jackson led Landry to a state championship in football.

Rich Jackson showed outstanding skills and determination as a 210-pound defensive end and ended up running track when one of the school's sprinters beat him in a 100-yard foot race.

Rich Jackson spent the entire school year working on his speed.

When track season came around, Rich Jackson bested that sprinter in a rematch and earned a spot on the track team.

Rich Jackson threw the discus, javelin and shot, as well as anchoring relay teams and running the 220-yard dash.

Rich Jackson lettered in track and won the NAIA Shotput competition in 1962.

Rich Jackson's 58 ft 1 in heave in 1964 was a Louisiana collegiate record, which has been reported to be a standing record at least as of 2019.

Rich Jackson played five games at linebacker in 1966 for Oakland, not starting in any and playing mostly on special teams.

The Broncos switched him to defensive end and Rich Jackson showed the quickness that was to become his trademark in professional football.

Rich Jackson played for the AFL Denver Broncos from 1967 through 1969, with 10 sacks, or 10.5 sacks, in '68 and a career high 11, or 12.5, in '69.

Rich Jackson racked up another 10 Sacks in 1970 as the AFL and NFL merged.

Rich Jackson was the first Bronco to be named to the All-NFL first team in 1970 and was a starter in the Pro Bowl that year.

Rich Jackson recorded 10 sacks in both 1968 and 1970 and posted a career-high total of 11 in 1969.

Rich Jackson was named 1st Team All-AFL by the Associated Press, Pro Football Weekly, and United Press International at the conclusion of the 1968 season, and by the AP, Newspaper Enterprise Association, New York Daily News, Pro Football Weekly, The Sporting News, and UPI at the end of the 1969 season.

Rich Jackson was a unanimous 1st Team All-NFL choice in 1970.

Rich Jackson played in the AFL All-Star game in 1968 and 1969, and the NFL Pro Bowl in 1970.

Rich Jackson's career was cut short by a severe knee injury midway through the 1971 season in a game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Rich Jackson came back in 1972, but his abilities were considerably diminished.

Rich Jackson had two sacks for each team that year.

Rich Jackson retired before the start of the 1973 season.

Rich Jackson finished with an unofficial total of 43 sacks or 45 sacks, 31 or 33 of which came during the three-season period of 1968 to 1970.

Hall of Fame quarterback Len Dawson said that when he thinks of Rich Jackson, he thinks of pain.

Rich Jackson used a double head slap and head butt.

Rich Jackson wore number 87 with the Broncos and was part of the inaugural class of inductees into the Denver Broncos' "Ring of Fame".

Rich Jackson was inducted in 1984 along with safety Goose Gonsoulin, running back Floyd Little, and wide receiver Lionel Taylor.

Rich Jackson was voted to the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame in 1975.

In 2019, Rich Jackson was inducted into the Black College Football Hall of Fame.

Rich Jackson was named to the second team AFL Hall of Fame All-Decade Team for the 1960s.