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Police investigating death of former Bucs, Chargers receiver Vincent Jackson

jason owens
Staff writer
·4 min read

Police in Florida are investigating the death of former San Diego Chargers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Vincent Jackson.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's office announced on Monday that Jackson was found dead in a hotel room in Brandon, a suburb of Tampa. He was 38 years old.

Vincent Jackson's cause of death not clear

The news confirms reports from several local media outlets that Jackson died. According to HCSO, Jackson had been living in the Homewood Suites hotel since Jan. 11. His family called to report him missing on Feb. 10.

Police located him alive at the hotel and spoke with him on Friday. A housekeeper found him dead in his hotel room at 11:30 a.m. on Monday.

A cause of death has not been determined. There were no immediate signs of trauma, according police.

"My heart aches for the many loved ones Vincent Jackson leaves behind, from his wife and children to the Buccaneers nation that adored him," Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a statement. "Mr. Jackson was a devoted man who put his family and community above everything else."

Jackson's legacy on, off field

Jackson, a three-time Pro Bowler, played 12 seasons in the NFL from 2005-16. He recorded six 1,000-yard receiving campaigns and tallied 540 catches for 9,080 yards and 57 touchdowns over the course of his career.

He played his first seven seasons as a featured member of high-powered Chargers offenses alongside Philip Rivers, LaDainian Tomlinson and Antonio Gates. He played his last five seasons with the Buccaneers and retired in Tampa, where he remained an active member of the community as a philanthropist and business owner. He opened three of seven restaurants that he co-owned in Tampa.

Jackson, who grew up in a military family, founded the Jackson In Action 83 foundation to support members of the military and their families. He was named the Bucs Man of the Year four times from 2013-16. He is survived by his wife Lindsey and three children Carter, Amaya, and Dominick.

Former Buccaneers and Chargers wide receiver Vincent Jackson was found dead on Monday at 38. (Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Former Buccaneers and Chargers wide receiver Vincent Jackson was found dead on Monday at 38. (Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

NFL community responds to Jackson's death

The Chargers released a statement on Jackson's death Monday afternoon.

“We are shocked and deeply saddened by news of Vincent Jackson’s sudden passing,” the Chargers statement reads. “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 of it.

"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, and our hearts go out to his wife, Lindsey, their children his parents, former teammates and everyone whose lives were touched by having known Vincent."

The Buccaneers also released a statement from team owner Bryan Glazer.

"We are shocked and saddened to hear the terrible news regarding the loss of Vincent Jackson," Glazer wrote. '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.

"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. He was a three-time Pro Bowl selection for his accomplishments on the field, but his greatest achievements as a Buccaneer were the four consecutive nominations as our Walter Payton Man of the Year.

"Our deepest condolences go out to his wife, Lindsey, and the entire Jackson family."

The NFL and NFLPA also released statements.