Vincent Jackson
Encyclopedia
Vincent Jackson nicknamed "Action Jackson", is an American football
wide receiver
who currently plays in the National Football League
for the San Diego Chargers
.
Vincent Jackson, sometimes referred to by his initials, V.J., or shortened to "VJax", has been selected to one Pro Bowl
, and finished in the top fifteen and top ten in the NFL for receiving yards during the 2008 and 2009 seasons, respectively.
in Colorado Springs, Colorado
. As a senior, he was a Rocky Mountain News
All-State Honorable Mention, a first team All-Area pick, and a first team All-Conference pick. He also was a standout in basketball
. A straight-A student in high school, Jackson was accepted to Columbia but decided to attend University of Northern Colorado on a partial scholarship to play both basketball and football.
at the University of Northern Colorado
. It was one of the few colleges that recruited Jackson out of high school
. One of the few true freshman ever to play for the University of Northern Colorado, Vincent earned All American Honors as a punt returner, scoring the first time he ever touched a ball on a punt return against Adams State College (CO). He rewrote the record books on the way to becoming Northern Colorado's all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards (game & season), KR yards, PR yards, receiving touchdowns. His senior season was highlighted by a 13-catch 249-yard, 3-touchdown effort against Florida Atlantic.
(the highest ever by a Northern Colorado graduate) by the San Diego Chargers
.
(* represents NFL Combine
)
due to injuries. He was inactive for the first five games of the season and finally saw his first NFL action in an October 16 game against the Oakland Raiders
. He caught his first pass on November 6 against the New York Jets
, but he would only catch two more passes for the rest of the season.
Jackson caught his first NFL touchdown on September 17, 2006 in a victory over the Tennessee Titans
. In 2006
in a Christmas Eve
game against the Seattle Seahawks
, Jackson had a memorable touchdown catch that led the Chargers to victory. With 29 seconds left, quarterback
Philip Rivers
threw a touchdown pass to Jackson and the Chargers ended up winning the game 20-17 and setting a franchise record for wins. Jackson ended the season strongly and finished second on the team with six touchdown catches.
In a 2006 game against the Oakland Raiders
, Jackson nearly made one of the most bizarre turnovers in recent NFL history. After making a 13 yard catch on fourth down, Jackson immediately got up and spun the ball forward in celebration. Because Jackson had fallen on his own and was not tackled, Raiders cornerback
Fabian Washington
believed it to be a fumble
and leapt upon the ball. Possession was originally awarded to Oakland, but the Chargers were then flagged for an illegal forward pass
and allowed to keep the ball.
Following the 2006 season, Jackson was charged with driving under the influence. Jackson pleaded guilty and was placed on probation.
By virtue of the release of Keenan McCardell
and an injury to Eric Parker, Jackson entered the 2007 season
as a starting
wide receiver for the Chargers. He started the season in an unmemorable fashion in a home game against the Chicago Bears
by dropping a sure touchdown that bounced off his chest in the end zone. However, by the end of the season, Jackson had distinguished himself as a top target for Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers
.
In the 2008 season
, Jackson had a career season with 59 receptions, 7 TD's and 1,098 yards. He became the first Chargers wide receiver to have 1,000 yards receiving since 2001.
On January 6, 2009 Jackson was arrested for a second time on suspicion of drunken driving. Jackson pleaded guilty and was given 5 years probation (among other penalties) on February 23, 2010.
Jackson followed his strongest season as a pro with an even stronger one during the 2009 season
, when he finished with 68 receptions, and led the team in receiving with 9 TD's and 1,167 yards.
During a January 17, 2010 divisional playoff game against the New York Jets
, Jackson made a 37 yard catch that was challenged by Jets head coach Rex Ryan
. Jackson received an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for kicking the challenge flag, which cost the Chargers 15 yards (The play was upheld). Jackson would finish the game with 7 receptions for 111 yards, becoming the first receiver of the 2009 NFL Season
to record a 100 yard game on Jet's All Pro CB Darrelle Revis
. However, in a bizarre play down field, Revis did record a single interception off a fluke bounce resulting from Jackson's shoe.
On March 2, 2010 Jackson faced arraignment for driving with a suspended license. He was handcuffed briefly and had his car impounded following a traffic stop just a few hours before the Chargers' playoff loss to the New York Jets
. Jackson was pulled over for playing loud music. He was cited for driving with a suspended license and expired tags.
Jackson was selected to his first Pro Bowl
during the 2009 NFL season
as an alternate. Jackson had a strong showing in his first Pro Bowl appearance, racking in 7 receptions for 122 yards including a 48 yard catch and run for a Touchdown.
On July 1, 2010, it was announced that Jackson had been suspended for three games for violating the league's personal conduct policy.
Following a contract dispute, Jackson returned in week 11 of the 2010 NFL Season
after holding out the first 10 games. In week 15 against the San Francisco 49ers
, Jackson had a career high 3 TD's and 112 yards en route to a 34-7 win. He finished the season with 14 receptions and 248 yards.
On February 15, 2011, the Chargers placed their franchise tag
on Jackson.
During the labor dispute between league owners and players following the end of the 2010 season, a lockout occurred from March 11th to July 25th. Jackson was one of the 10 plaintiffs in the Brady antitrust lawsuit against the NFL, which included star players such as Tom Brady
, Peyton Manning
, Drew Brees
, and fellow 2010 holdout Logan Mankins
. Initially, Adam Schefter of ESPN
reported that Vincent Jackson wanted compensation in the form of $10 million or become an unrestricted free agent when the lockout was over. Jackson denied reports that he had asked for compensation, but on July 23rd Jackson released his claim in the Brady v. NFL lawsuit. Jackson's decision to drop his alleged request of unrestricted free agency and/or monetary compensation helped expedite the completion of the new labor deal. Jackson's Franchise Tag was held up under the new NFL CBA.
On July 29th, 2011, the first day teams were permitted to sign non-rookie free agents, Jackson signed his one-year Franchise offer, thus remaining a Charger. Because of his contract holdout during the 2010 NFL season, Jackson received only $583,000 in compensation for playing in the final six games of the season. For the 2011 season, under the franchise tag, Jackson will receive approximately $11.4 million, almost 20 times more than in the previous season.
for an additional year, causing the Chargers to place a one-year, $3.2 million tender on him. Seeking a long-term deal instead, Jackson held out of training camp. On June 15, 2010, the Chargers cut his tender to $583,000, 110% of his salary for the 2009 NFL season.
On August 20, 2010, the Chargers placed him on the Roster Exempt List, meaning that he would have to serve a 3-game suspension once he had agreed to a contract.
The National Football League Players Association arranged a deal in which if Jackson was traded by the Chargers by 4 PM on September 22, he would have instead been placed on the Commissioner Exempt List, rolling 6 games of suspensions (3 for pleading guilty to drunk driving and 3 for being placed on the roster exempt list) into 4. No deal materialized. The agreement also stipulated that he could be traded two days before the NFL trade deadline, but once again no deal materialized in that time. On October 29, 2010, Jackson ended his hold-out and signed the one-year tender. The deadline to sign and accrue a full season, so that he would be an unrestricted free agent in 2011, was October 30, 2010.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
wide receiver
Wide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
who currently plays in the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
for the San Diego Chargers
San Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
.
Vincent Jackson, sometimes referred to by his initials, V.J., or shortened to "VJax", has been selected to one Pro Bowl
2009 Pro Bowl
The 2009 AFC-NFC Pro Bowl was the NFL's all-star game for the 2008 season. It was played at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii on February 8, 2009. This was the last time that a Pro Bowl game was held after the NFL Super Bowl game...
, and finished in the top fifteen and top ten in the NFL for receiving yards during the 2008 and 2009 seasons, respectively.
Early years
Jackson attended Widefield High SchoolWidefield High School
Widefield High School is a high school in Security-Widefield, Colorado. It opened its doors in 1958 and is the older of the two high schools in Widefield School District 3. Widefield's mascot is the Gladiator and the school's colors are navy blue, columbia blue, silver and white...
in Colorado Springs, Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
. As a senior, he was a Rocky Mountain News
Rocky Mountain News
The Rocky Mountain News was a daily newspaper published in Denver, Colorado, United States from April 23, 1859, until February 27, 2009. It was owned by the E. W. Scripps Company from 1926 until its closing. As of March 2006, the Monday-Friday circulation was 255,427...
All-State Honorable Mention, a first team All-Area pick, and a first team All-Conference pick. He also was a standout in basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
. A straight-A student in high school, Jackson was accepted to Columbia but decided to attend University of Northern Colorado on a partial scholarship to play both basketball and football.
College career
Jackson played college footballCollege football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at the University of Northern Colorado
University of Northern Colorado
-Organization:The University of Northern Colorado offers 100 undergraduate programs and more than 100 graduate programs. The university has a satellite campus in Denver, Colorado...
. It was one of the few colleges that recruited Jackson out of high school
High school football
High school football, in North America, refers to the game of football as it is played in the United States and Canada. It ranks among the most popular interscholastic sports in both of these nations....
. One of the few true freshman ever to play for the University of Northern Colorado, Vincent earned All American Honors as a punt returner, scoring the first time he ever touched a ball on a punt return against Adams State College (CO). He rewrote the record books on the way to becoming Northern Colorado's all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards (game & season), KR yards, PR yards, receiving touchdowns. His senior season was highlighted by a 13-catch 249-yard, 3-touchdown effort against Florida Atlantic.
2005 NFL Draft
Jackson was the 29th player selected in the second round (61st overall) of the 2005 NFL Draft2005 NFL Draft
The 2005 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 23–24, 2005. The league also held an supplemental draft that year, which was held after...
(the highest ever by a Northern Colorado graduate) by the San Diego Chargers
San Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
.
| Pre-draft measureables | ||||||
| Weight | 40 yd 40 yard dash The 40-yard dash is a sprint covering . It is primarily run to evaluate the speed of American football players by scouts, particularly for the NFL Draft but also for collegiate recruiting. A player's recorded time in the 40 can have a heavy impact on his prospects in college or professional football... |
20 ss 20 yard shuttle The 20-yard shuttle, also simply called the short shuttle, is a test performed by American football athletes at the NFL combine. It is primarily run to evaluate the quickness and change-of-direction ability of players by scouts, particularly for the NFL Draft but also for collegiate recruiting... |
3-cone 3 cone drill The 3 cone drill, or three cone drill, is a test performed by American football athletes at the NFL combine. It is primarily run to evaluate the agility, quickness and fluidity of movement of players by scouts, particularly for the NFL Draft but also for collegiate recruiting... |
Vert Vertical jump A vertical jump or vertical leap is the act of raising one's center of gravity higher in the vertical plane solely with the use of one's own muscles; it is a measure of how high an individual or athlete can elevate off the ground from a standstill.-Types of vertical jump:The vertical jump is... |
BP Bench press The bench press is an exercise of the upper body. For bodybuilding purposes, it is used to stimulate the pectorals, deltoids, and triceps. While on his or her back, the person performing the bench press lowers a weight to the level of the chest, then pushes it back up until the arm is straight... |
Wonderlic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 241 lb (109.3 kg)* | 4.46s | 4.00s | 6.84 | 39 in (99.1 cm)* | 23 | 33* |
NFL Combine
The National Invitational Camp or NFL Scouting Combine, as it is more widely known, is a week-long showcase, occurring every February in Indianapolis, Indiana's Lucas Oil Stadium , where college football players perform physical and mental tests in front of National Football League coaches, general...
)
San Diego Chargers
Jackson got off to a slow start in 20052005 NFL season
The 2005 NFL season was the 86th regular season of the National Football League.With the New England Patriots as the defending league champions, regular season play was held from September 8, 2005 to January 1, 2006...
due to injuries. He was inactive for the first five games of the season and finally saw his first NFL action in an October 16 game against the Oakland Raiders
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. He caught his first pass on November 6 against the New York Jets
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, but he would only catch two more passes for the rest of the season.
Jackson caught his first NFL touchdown on September 17, 2006 in a victory over the Tennessee Titans
Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter...
. In 2006
2006 San Diego Chargers season
The 2006 San Diego Chargers season began with the team trying to improve on their 9–7 record in 2005. They finished the campaign as the #1 seed in the AFC ending the season at 14–2, best record in the NFL...
in a Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve refers to the evening or entire day preceding Christmas Day, a widely celebrated festival commemorating the birth of Jesus of Nazareth that takes place on December 25...
game against the Seattle Seahawks
Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team...
, Jackson had a memorable touchdown catch that led the Chargers to victory. With 29 seconds left, quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
Philip Rivers
Philip Rivers
Philip Rivers is an American football quarterback for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League . He was one half of the Manning-Rivers draft trade which sent him to San Diego and the 1st overall pick, Ole Miss quarterback Eli Manning, to the New York Giants. Rivers played college...
threw a touchdown pass to Jackson and the Chargers ended up winning the game 20-17 and setting a franchise record for wins. Jackson ended the season strongly and finished second on the team with six touchdown catches.
In a 2006 game against the Oakland Raiders
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Jackson nearly made one of the most bizarre turnovers in recent NFL history. After making a 13 yard catch on fourth down, Jackson immediately got up and spun the ball forward in celebration. Because Jackson had fallen on his own and was not tackled, Raiders cornerback
Cornerback
A cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position...
Fabian Washington
Fabian Washington
-Oakland Raiders:During his rookie year he played all 16 games with 11 starts and recorded 40 tackles. In his second season with the Raiders, Washington started in all 14 games he played in and had 43 tackles and four interceptions . During his third season with the Raiders in 2007 he played in 15...
believed it to be a fumble
Fumble
A fumble in American and Canadian football occurs when a player, who has possession and control of the ball loses it before being downed or scoring. By rule, it is any act other than passing, kicking or successful handing that results in loss of player possession...
and leapt upon the ball. Possession was originally awarded to Oakland, but the Chargers were then flagged for an illegal forward pass
Forward pass
In several forms of football a forward pass is when the ball is thrown in the direction that the offensive team is trying to move, towards the defensive team's goal line...
and allowed to keep the ball.
Following the 2006 season, Jackson was charged with driving under the influence. Jackson pleaded guilty and was placed on probation.
By virtue of the release of Keenan McCardell
Keenan McCardell
Keenan Wayne McCardell is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League and current wide receivers coach for the Washington Redskins. He was drafted by the Redskins in the 12th round of the 1991 NFL Draft...
and an injury to Eric Parker, Jackson entered the 2007 season
2007 San Diego Chargers season
The 2007 San Diego Chargers season began with the team trying to equal their 2006 regular season success and avoid another early departure in the playoffs. After a disappointing start under new head coach Norv Turner , they finished the regular season strong, with six straight wins, an overall...
as a starting
Starting lineup
A starting lineup in sports is an official list of the set of players who will actively participate in the event when the game begins. The players in the starting lineup are commonly referred to as starters, whereas the others are substitutes or bench players.The starters are commonly the best...
wide receiver for the Chargers. He started the season in an unmemorable fashion in a home game against the Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
by dropping a sure touchdown that bounced off his chest in the end zone. However, by the end of the season, Jackson had distinguished himself as a top target for Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers
Philip Rivers
Philip Rivers is an American football quarterback for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League . He was one half of the Manning-Rivers draft trade which sent him to San Diego and the 1st overall pick, Ole Miss quarterback Eli Manning, to the New York Giants. Rivers played college...
.
In the 2008 season
2008 San Diego Chargers season
The 2008 San Diego Chargers season was the franchise's 49th overall season and their 39th in the NFL. While they completed the regular season with only an 8–8 record, they nonetheless captured their third consecutive AFC West championship...
, Jackson had a career season with 59 receptions, 7 TD's and 1,098 yards. He became the first Chargers wide receiver to have 1,000 yards receiving since 2001.
On January 6, 2009 Jackson was arrested for a second time on suspicion of drunken driving. Jackson pleaded guilty and was given 5 years probation (among other penalties) on February 23, 2010.
Jackson followed his strongest season as a pro with an even stronger one during the 2009 season
2009 San Diego Chargers season
The 2009 San Diego Chargers season was the 50th season for the original American Football League team, and its 40th in the NFL. The Chargers improved upon their regular season record of 8–8 in 2008 and won their division for the fourth straight year and fifth time in six seasons...
, when he finished with 68 receptions, and led the team in receiving with 9 TD's and 1,167 yards.
During a January 17, 2010 divisional playoff game against the New York Jets
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Jackson made a 37 yard catch that was challenged by Jets head coach Rex Ryan
Rex Ryan
Rex Ryan is an American football head coach for the New York Jets of the National Football League . After serving as an assistant coach for twenty-two years, Ryan attained his first head coaching job in the NFL with the Jets in 2009...
. Jackson received an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for kicking the challenge flag, which cost the Chargers 15 yards (The play was upheld). Jackson would finish the game with 7 receptions for 111 yards, becoming the first receiver of the 2009 NFL Season
2009 NFL season
The 2009 NFL season was the 90th regular season of the National Football League.The preseason started with the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game on August 9, 2009, and the regular season began September 10. The season ended with Super Bowl XLIV, the league's championship game, on February 7, 2010 at...
to record a 100 yard game on Jet's All Pro CB Darrelle Revis
Darrelle Revis
Though Revis was not the first defensive back drafted in the 2007 NFL Draft , he was the first cornerback taken that year...
. However, in a bizarre play down field, Revis did record a single interception off a fluke bounce resulting from Jackson's shoe.
On March 2, 2010 Jackson faced arraignment for driving with a suspended license. He was handcuffed briefly and had his car impounded following a traffic stop just a few hours before the Chargers' playoff loss to the New York Jets
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. Jackson was pulled over for playing loud music. He was cited for driving with a suspended license and expired tags.
Jackson was selected to his first Pro Bowl
2010 Pro Bowl
The 2010 AFC–NFC Pro Bowl was the NFL's all-star game for the 2009 season. It took place at 8:00 PM EST on Sunday, January 31, 2010, at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, the home stadium of the Miami Dolphins and host site of Super Bowl XLIV...
during the 2009 NFL season
2009 NFL season
The 2009 NFL season was the 90th regular season of the National Football League.The preseason started with the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game on August 9, 2009, and the regular season began September 10. The season ended with Super Bowl XLIV, the league's championship game, on February 7, 2010 at...
as an alternate. Jackson had a strong showing in his first Pro Bowl appearance, racking in 7 receptions for 122 yards including a 48 yard catch and run for a Touchdown.
On July 1, 2010, it was announced that Jackson had been suspended for three games for violating the league's personal conduct policy.
Following a contract dispute, Jackson returned in week 11 of the 2010 NFL Season
2010 NFL season
The 2010 NFL season was the 91st regular season of the National Football League.The regular season began with the NFL Kickoff game on NBC on Thursday, September 9, at the Louisiana Superdome as the New Orleans Saints, Super Bowl XLIV champions, defeated the Minnesota Vikings 14–9.Tom Brady,...
after holding out the first 10 games. In week 15 against the San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
, Jackson had a career high 3 TD's and 112 yards en route to a 34-7 win. He finished the season with 14 receptions and 248 yards.
On February 15, 2011, the Chargers placed their franchise tag
Franchise Tag
In the National Football League, the franchise tag is a designation a team may apply to a player scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent. The tag binds the player to the team for one year if certain conditions are met. Each team has access each year to only one franchise tag and one...
on Jackson.
During the labor dispute between league owners and players following the end of the 2010 season, a lockout occurred from March 11th to July 25th. Jackson was one of the 10 plaintiffs in the Brady antitrust lawsuit against the NFL, which included star players such as Tom Brady
Tom Brady
Thomas Edward Patrick "Tom" Brady, Jr. is an American football quarterback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . After playing college football at Michigan, Brady was drafted by the Patriots in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft.He has played in four Super Bowls,...
, Peyton Manning
Peyton Manning
Peyton Williams Manning is an American football quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League . Manning holds the record for most NFL MVP awards with four. He was drafted by the Colts as the first overall pick in 1998 after a standout college football career with the...
, Drew Brees
Drew Brees
Drew Christopher Brees is a quarterback for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He played college football at Purdue....
, and fellow 2010 holdout Logan Mankins
Logan Mankins
-2005–06 seasons:Mankins was drafted with the final pick of the first round, 32nd overall, in the 2005 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots. Despite playing his entire collegiate career as a tackle, Mankins was moved to left guard by the Patriots, where he immediately stepped into the starting...
. Initially, Adam Schefter of ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
reported that Vincent Jackson wanted compensation in the form of $10 million or become an unrestricted free agent when the lockout was over. Jackson denied reports that he had asked for compensation, but on July 23rd Jackson released his claim in the Brady v. NFL lawsuit. Jackson's decision to drop his alleged request of unrestricted free agency and/or monetary compensation helped expedite the completion of the new labor deal. Jackson's Franchise Tag was held up under the new NFL CBA.
On July 29th, 2011, the first day teams were permitted to sign non-rookie free agents, Jackson signed his one-year Franchise offer, thus remaining a Charger. Because of his contract holdout during the 2010 NFL season, Jackson received only $583,000 in compensation for playing in the final six games of the season. For the 2011 season, under the franchise tag, Jackson will receive approximately $11.4 million, almost 20 times more than in the previous season.
Contract Dispute
When the NFL's Collective Bargaining Agreement expired, Jackson became a Restricted Free AgentRestricted free agent
A restricted free agent is a professional athlete who plays in the KHL, NFL, NHL, or NBA. Such players have special restrictions on the terms under which they can retain or change employment status with their athletic club teams.- NFL :...
for an additional year, causing the Chargers to place a one-year, $3.2 million tender on him. Seeking a long-term deal instead, Jackson held out of training camp. On June 15, 2010, the Chargers cut his tender to $583,000, 110% of his salary for the 2009 NFL season.
On August 20, 2010, the Chargers placed him on the Roster Exempt List, meaning that he would have to serve a 3-game suspension once he had agreed to a contract.
The National Football League Players Association arranged a deal in which if Jackson was traded by the Chargers by 4 PM on September 22, he would have instead been placed on the Commissioner Exempt List, rolling 6 games of suspensions (3 for pleading guilty to drunk driving and 3 for being placed on the roster exempt list) into 4. No deal materialized. The agreement also stipulated that he could be traded two days before the NFL trade deadline, but once again no deal materialized in that time. On October 29, 2010, Jackson ended his hold-out and signed the one-year tender. The deadline to sign and accrue a full season, so that he would be an unrestricted free agent in 2011, was October 30, 2010.