Jackson, Keith J.
Football
b. April 19, 1965, Little Rock, AR
An All-American tight end at the University of Oklahoma in 1986, the 6-foot-2, 249-pound Jackson was used primarily as a blocker in the run-oriented Sooner offense. He caught just 62 passes for 1,470 yards in four seasons as a starter.
Chosen by the Philadelphia Eagles in the first round of the 1988 NFL draft, Jackson quickly demonstrated that he could catch as well as block. He had 81 receptions for 869 yards and 6 touchdowns to win the Sporting News rookie of the year award.
In 1990, Jackson held out for two games in a contract dispute and fell into disfavor with Philadelphia Coach Buddy Ryan. He won his free agency after the 1991 season and signed with the Miami Dolphins.
Jackson was a consensus All-Pro team from 1988 through 1990 and was also named to some teams in 1992. After missing nearly half of the 1995 season in another contract dispute, he was traded to the Green Bay Packers.
Although a backup, Jackson played a key role as a receiver for Green Bay in 1996, catching 40 passes, 10 of them for touchdowns, as the Packers won the NFC championship and Super Bowl XXXI. He retired after that Super Bowl victory.