Longtime NFL QB Tarvaris Jackson dies in car crash
Longtime NFL quarterback Tarvaris Jackson died Sunday night in a car crash, according to multiple media reports. He was 36.
Per USA Today, the single-car crash occurred around 8:50 p.m. a few miles south of Montgomery, Alabama, Jackson’s hometown.
Jackson was driving on a road a few miles south of Montgomery, Alabama, at around 8:50 p.m. Sunday when his 2012 Chevrolet Camaro left the road, hit a tree and flipped, according to Alabama Law Enforcement Agency trooper Michael Carswell. Jackson was transported to a local hospital and later pronounced dead.
Jackson played 10 seasons in the NFL, including stints as the starter for the Minnesota Vikings and Seattle Seahawks. He spent five seasons with the Vikings, who drafted him in the second round out of Alabama State in 2006. He helped lead Minnesota to the NFC North title in 2008 but was relegated to a backup role in 2009 when the team signed Brett Favre. Jackson backed up Favre in 2009 and 2010, appearing in 10 games total with one start.
From there, he moved on to Seattle, where he was the starter in 2011 and had the best statistical season of his career, throwing for 3,091 yards, 14 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. Heading into the 2012 season, the Seahawks signed Matt Flynn to a lucrative free agent contract and drafted Russell Wilson in the third round.
When Wilson won the starting job, Jackson was traded to the Buffalo Bills, where he backed up Ryan Fitzpatrick. The Bills released Jackson in 2013 and he ended up back in Seattle as Wilson’s backup for three more seasons, including the team’s consecutive Super Bowl trips in 2013 and 2014.
The Seahawks’ 43-8 Super Bowl XLVIII victory over the Denver Broncos was so lopsided that Jackson played the final series, handing off once and throwing an incomplete pass after Wilson was removed from the game.
TJack... you will be missed. Praying for your family...Love you man. 💔
— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) April 13, 2020
Seattle did not re-sign Jackson after the 2015 season. A few years later, Jackson began his coaching career. He first worked as a quality control coach at Alabama State, his alma mater, before landing the quarterbacks coach job at Tennessee State. He was entering his second season at TSU.
Jackson is survived by his wife, Lakitta, and three children, Tarvaris, Takayla and Tyson.
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