A Salute to #7
Tarvaris “T’Jack” Jackson, was a celebrated quarterback at Sidney Lanier High School, Alabama State University, and in the NFL. He was born on April 21, 1983, in Montgomery, Alabama, to Stanley F. Gillis and Sasanque Youvon Jackson, and was married to Lakitta Neshae Thompson, with whom he had five children.
Jackson had a passion for baseball and football from a young age but was steered toward football by his high school QB Coach, Richard Moncrief. He wore #7 on his jersey since high school and adopted the Spanish phrase “senor siete.” He led the Sidney Lanier High School team to many victories and graduated in 2001.
After playing three games for the University of Arkansas as a freshman, Jackson transferred to Alabama State University, where he led the team to an 8-5 record, the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Eastern Division title, and a berth in the SWAC Championship Game in 2003. In his junior and senior seasons, he won the SWAC Championship MVP and was a second-team All-SWAC selection, respectively.
In the 2006 NFL Draft, Jackson was selected by the Minnesota Vikings with the last pick in the 2nd round (64th overall). He went on to play for the Vikings, Buffalo Bills, and Seattle Seahawks, winning a Super Bowl with the Seahawks in 2013 as the first backup QB to play in a Super Bowl in 13 years. He ended his playing career in 2015.
During his playing career and beyond, Jackson earned a B.S. Degree in Psychology from Troy State University and gave back to his community by hosting free football camps for youth ages 7-17 in Montgomery. After his death in 2020, the Tarvaris Jackson Legacy Foundation, created by Jackson’s family and friends, continued the camps to honor his legacy.
Jackson is remembered for his love for football, family, and friends, and for inspiring young men to achieve greatness. JJ Oliver described him as a down-to-earth superstar and urged others to honor him by being their best selves and giving back to the youth, as Jackson did.
