Bernard Jackson (defensive back)


Bernard Frank Jackson was an American football defensive back who played for three National Football League teams. He was the 81st pick in the 1972 NFL draft, selected by the Cincinnati Bengals as a defensive back. After five years, he was traded to the Denver Broncos in March 1977, and was a starter, including Super Bowl XII.

College career

As a collegiate player at Washington State in the Pac-8, Jackson was a running back and kick returner for head coach Jim Sweeney During his senior season in 1971, he rushed for 1,189 yards on 177 attempts and was named to the All-Coast team.
A 1968 graduate of Dorsey High School in Los Angeles, he had dreamed of playing for the USC Trojans, but was just and began his college career at Pierce College in Los Angeles.

Professional career

After five years with the Bengals, Jackson was traded to the Denver Broncos in March 1977, and that season the Broncos won the AFC title and advanced to Super Bowl XII. Jackson started the game, but the Broncos lost to the Dallas Cowboys 27–10.
Injured with a muscle bruise for much of the 1980 season, he was waived in late November and picked up by the San Diego Chargers.

Death

Jackson died of liver cancer at age 46 in Lompoc, California, and is buried at its Evergreen Cemetery.