Former Chargers and Buccaneers wide receiver Vincent Jackson was found dead in his hotel room in Florida according to reports. He was 38 years old.
The early stages of the NFL offseason took a sad turn with the news that former Buccaneers and Chargers wide receiver Vincent Jackson has died. WFLA-TV’s Josh Benson reported on Monday that the former three-time Pro Bowler was found dead in a Homewood Suites in Brandon, FL. An investigation has been launched into the cause of death.
Jackson was a second-round draft pick in 2005 out of Northern Colorado by the then-San Diego Chargers. In 2006, Jackson’s game-winning touchdown against the Seahawks in Week 16 gave San Diego a 20-17 victory en route to a 14-2 season. Jackson caught 272 passes for 4,754 yards and 37 touchdowns over seven seasons, averaging 17.5 yards per catch.
In 2012, Jackson signed a five-year contract worth $55.55 million with the Buccaneers. He recorded 268 receptions for 4,326 yards and 20 touchdowns through his five years in Tampa Bay, averaging 16.1 yards per catch.
Against the New Orleans Saints in October 2012, Jackson set a franchise record with the Buccaneers for most receiving yards in a game with 216 and the longest receptions with 95 yards. Jackson also recorded his best season in 2012, catching 72 passes for 1,384 yards and eight touchdowns, averaging 19.2 yards per catch.
Going down in the NFL history books in 2014, Jackson and fellow receiver Mike Evans became the first duo of receivers for Tampa Bay to catch for over 1,000 yards.
In total, Jackson’s 12-year career concluded with 540 catches for 9,080 yards and 57 touchdown catches, averaging 16.8 yards per catch. Rest in peace to Vincent Jackson and hearts out to both the Chargers and Buccaneers community.