No. 39 | |||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Position: | Running back | ||||||||||||||
Personal information | |||||||||||||||
Born: | Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. | July 22, 1983||||||||||||||
Height: | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||||||||||||||
Weight: | 240 lb (109 kg) | ||||||||||||||
Career information | |||||||||||||||
High school: | Eldorado (Las Vegas) | ||||||||||||||
College: | Oregon State (2001–2003) | ||||||||||||||
NFL draft: | 2004 / round: 1 / pick: 24 | ||||||||||||||
Career history | |||||||||||||||
Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||||||
Career NFL statistics | |||||||||||||||
|
Steven Rashad Jackson (born July 22, 1983) is an American former football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 12 seasons, primarily with the St. Louis Rams. He played college football for the Oregon State Beavers and was selected in the first round of the 2004 NFL draft by the Rams, where he spent his first nine seasons. In his final three seasons, he was a member of the Atlanta Falcons from 2013 to 2014 and the New England Patriots in 2015. Named to three Pro Bowls and two All-Pro teams during his Rams tenure, Jackson is the franchise's all-time leading rusher.
Jackson was born in Las Vegas, Nevada, and was a running back for Eldorado High School. He was named the Sunrise Regional MVP and rushed for 6,396 yards and 81 touchdowns for the Sundevils. Eldorado lost in the state final his senior year to McQueen High School (Reno, Nevada). He also lettered four years in track and field, recording a 10.6 in the 100 meters as a junior, and was a member of the 4 × 100 m (42.64 s) relay squad. [1]
Jackson's subsequent success has been credited with prompting college football programs to take more interest in players in the Las Vegas area. [2] This success also led to Jackson's induction into the Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame in 2011. [3]
Jackson attended Oregon State University, where he played for the Beavers for three seasons (2001–2003). [4] In 36 games, he carried 743 times for 3,625 yards for a 4.9-yard average and 39 touchdowns while adding 680 yards and six touchdowns on 66 catches and 240 yards with a touchdown on seven kickoff returns. His 4,545 all-purpose yards rank second in school history, while he ranks third on the school's all-time scoring list with 276 points. In his sophomore season, Jackson led the Pac-10 Conference in rushing and finished the season eighth nationally with 1,690 yards; an average of 130 yards per game. [5] As a junior, he ranked tenth in the nation in rushing, ninth in all-purpose yardage, and fourth in scoring; he carried the ball 350 times for 1,545 yards and 19 touchdowns, adding 44 receptions for 470 yards and three touchdowns. [6] When his collegiate career ended, Jackson's 2,015 all-purpose yards set an Oregon State school record. [7]
Season | Team | Conf | Class | Pos | GP | Rushing | Receiving | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Att | Yds | Avg | TD | Rec | Yds | Avg | TD | ||||||
2001 | Oregon State | Pac-10 | FR | RB | 11 | 74 | 390 | 5.3 | 5 | 5 | 45 | 9.0 | 1 |
2002 | Oregon State | Pac-10 | SO | RB | 13 | 319 | 1,690 | 5.3 | 15 | 17 | 165 | 9.7 | 2 |
2003 | Oregon State | Pac-10 | JR | RB | 13 | 350 | 1,545 | 4.4 | 19 | 44 | 470 | 10.7 | 3 |
Career | 37 | 743 | 3,625 | 4.9 | 39 | 66 | 680 | 10.3 | 6 |
Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press | Wonderlic |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
6 ft 1+1⁄2 in (1.87 m) | 241 lb (109 kg) | 32+1⁄2 in (0.83 m) | 9+5⁄8 in (0.24 m) | 4.55 s | 1.57 s | 2.61 s | 4.09 s | 7.03 s | 37.5 in (0.95 m) | 9 ft 10 in (3.00 m) | 16 reps | 28 |
All values from Oregon State Pro Day, [8] [9] except for Wonderlic score. |
Jackson was overlooked by several teams in 2004, most likely due to a knee injury suffered during his last year at Oregon State that kept him from participating in drills at the 2004 NFL Combine. Jackson had surgery on the knee after the college season, but required additional surgery after his rookie year to ensure its complete rehabilitation. In an interview with CBS Sports' Pete Prisco on how the knee injury had affected his play, Jackson said, "I never felt right. Now it does." [10]
Jackson was drafted in the first round with the 24th overall pick in the 2004 NFL draft by the St. Louis Rams. He was the first running back to be selected that year. The Rams traded picks with the Denver Broncos and Cincinnati Bengals to get Jackson. Denver traded Deltha O'Neal to Cincinnati for their first round pick. Then, St. Louis traded up to Cincinnati's selection to grab Jackson while the Bengals chose Chris Perry to replace the departed Corey Dillon, who was traded to the New England Patriots. [11]
On July 30, 2004, Jackson signed a five-year, $18.73 million deal with the Rams, which included a $2.5 million signing bonus. In his 2004 rookie season, he was a backup under Marshall Faulk. [12] He made his NFL debut in the season opener against the Arizona Cardinals and had seven carries for 50 yards in the 17–10 victory. [13] He scored his first professional touchdown on a two-yard rush against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 4. [14] He saw an increased role toward the end of the season. In Week 13 against the 49ers, he had 26 carries for 119 yards for his first 100+-yard game. [15] In Week 16, against the Philadelphia Eagles, he had his best performance of the season with 24 carries for 148 yards and a touchdown. [16] As a rookie, he rushed 134 times for 673 rushing yards and four touchdowns, and had 19 receptions for 189 yards. [17]
With Faulk aging, Jackson was named the Rams' starting running back for the 2005 season. [18] In Week 4, against the New York Giants, he had his first receiving touchdown on a 13-yard pass from Marc Bulger. [19] In Week 7, against the New Orleans Saints, he had his first multi-touchdown game with two rushing in the 28–17 victory. [20] In Week 8, against the Jacksonville Jaguars, he had 25 carries for 179 rushing yards to go with two receptions for 21 yards and receiving touchdown. [21] Jackson had 1,046 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns on 254 attempts, and caught 43 passes for 320 yards and two receiving touchdowns. [22]
After the dismissal of head coach Mike Martz and the departure of Faulk, 2006 became Jackson's breakout season. [23] [24] With Scott Linehan as the new head coach, the Rams had a more balanced offensive attack. [25] He started the season off strong with 121 rushing yards in an 18–10 victory over the Denver Broncos. [26] After rushing for 103 yards in Week 2 against the San Francisco 49ers, Jackson did not top 100 rushing yards until later in the season. [27] However, there was a four-game stretch where he scored a rushing touchdown in each game from Week 6 to Week 10. In the second divisional game against the 49ers in Week 12, he had 121 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown, nine receptions, and 71 receiving yards. [28] He had 127 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns against the Oakland Raiders in Week 15. [29] He had 150 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown, six receptions, 102 receiving yards, and one receiving touchdown against the Washington Redskins in Week 16. [30] He was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week for Week 16. [31] He closed the year with 142 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 17. [32] For his productive end to the season, he was named NFC Offensive Player of the Month for December. [33] Overall, Jackson ran 346 times for 1,528 yards and 13 rushing touchdowns and led all running backs when he caught 90 passes for 806 yards, and adding three receiving touchdowns. [34] He led the NFL in total yards from scrimmage with 2,334. For his efforts, Jackson was named to his first Pro Bowl and received one vote for the 2006 NFL Offensive Player of the Year award. [35] [36]
Jackson started the 2007 season with 58 rushing yards in a 27–17 loss to the Carolina Panthers. [37] In Week 3, against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he had 30 carries for 115 rushing yards. [38] In Week 15, against the Green Bay Packers, he had a season-high 143 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown. [39] During the Rams' dismal 2007 season, Jackson lashed out at fans and expressed distaste with the music played in the Edward Jones Dome. [40] Overall, he finished the 2007 season with 1,002 rushing yards, five rushing touchdowns, 38 receptions, 271 receiving yards, and one receiving touchdown. [41]
After the season, with one year left on his rookie contract, Jackson believed he was underpaid and held out of training camp. On August 21, 2008, Jackson officially ended his holdout by signing a six-year contract worth a maximum of $49.3 million, including a $11.4 million signing bonus and $21 million guaranteed. [42] Because the final two years of the deal (2012 and 2013) can be voided based on Jackson's performance, it could become a three-year extension worth $29.3 million instead. Either way, signing the contract made him the highest-paid running back in the NFL. [43] In Week 7, against the Dallas Cowboys, he had 25 carries for 160 yards and three rushing touchdowns. [44] His performance against the Cowboys gave him his second NFC Offensive Player of the Week award. [45] He closed out the season with 161 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns against the Atlanta Falcons. [46] Overall, he finished the 2008 season with 1,042 rushing yards, seven rushing touchdowns, 40 receptions, 379 receiving yards, and one receiving touchdown. [47]
After recording 67 rushing yards in a 28–0 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in the season opener, Jackson had 104 rushing yards against the Washington Redskins in a 9–7 loss and 117 rushing yards against the Green Bay Packers in a 36–17 loss. [48] [49] [50] In Week 7, against the Indianapolis Colts, he started a four-game stretch with over 100 rushing yards in each game with a rushing touchdown in the latter three against the Detroit Lions, New Orleans Saints, and the Arizona Cardinals. [51] [52] [53] [54] Overall, he finished the season with 1,416 rushing yards, four rushing touchdowns, 51 receptions, and 322 receiving yards. [55] He was named to his second Pro Bowl. [56]
Jackson started the 2010 season with 81 rushing yards in a 17–13 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. [57] He rushed for over 100 in three consecutive games against the Detroit Lions, San Diego Chargers, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. [58] [59] Jackson surpassed Eric Dickerson as the Rams' all-time leading rusher, with a 110-yard effort against the Buccaneers game. [60] On November 21, 2010, he recorded his 10,000th career yard from scrimmage on a first quarter run against the Atlanta Falcons. Jackson rushed for 1,145 yards during the 2011 regular season, marking the seventh consecutive season he has surpassed 1,000 yards. [61] He earned his third Pro Bowl nomination for the 2010 season. [62] He was ranked 38th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2011. [63]
Jackson started the 2011 season with two carries for 56 yards and a rushing touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles. [64] In Week 8, against the New Orleans Saints, he had 25 carries for 159 yards and two touchdowns. [65] He followed that up with 130 rushing yards against the Arizona Cardinals and 128 rushing yards against the Cleveland Browns. [66] [67] Overall, Jackson recorded 1,145 rushing yards, five rushing touchdowns, 42 receptions, 333 receiving yards, and one receiving touchdown. [68] He was ranked 37th by this fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2012. [69]
The 2012 draft saw the Rams select two running backs, Daryl Richardson and Isaiah Pead, indicating a potential future running back by committee scenario. [70] With the retirement of LaDainian Tomlinson, Jackson became the NFL's active leader in career rushing yards, where he remained for over three years until passed by Frank Gore in October 2015. In Week 12, against the Arizona Cardinals, he had a season-high 139 rushing yards. [71] In Week 15, Jackson became the 27th running back in NFL history to rush for over 10,000 yards, and the sixth running back in league history to compile eight consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons. [72] Jackson ended the 2012 season with 1,042 yards rushing and four touchdowns. [73] At the conclusion of the season, Jackson chose to opt-out of the final year of his contract, to pursue a starting job on a contender. [74]
On March 14, 2013, Jackson signed a three-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons. [75] Jackson failed to rush for 1,000 yards for the first time since his rookie season in 2004, finishing the 2013 season with 543 rushing yards on 157 attempts. He had two games on the season with two rushing touchdowns, against the Buffalo Bills and Washington Redskins. [76] In the 2014 season, Jackson's rushing numbers improved with 707 rushing yards in 15 games. [77] Jackson was released by the Falcons on February 26, 2015. [78]
On December 21, 2015, Jackson signed with the New England Patriots. [79] He scored his first touchdown of the season in the Patriots' 20–10 loss to the Miami Dolphins on January 3. [80] He scored his first career playoff touchdown in the AFC Championship 20–18 loss to the Denver Broncos. [81] The loss to the Broncos ended up being Jackson's final professional game. [82]
On July 29, 2019, Jackson signed a ceremonial one-day contract with the by-then Los Angeles Rams to officially retire as a member of the team. [83]
Jackson was inducted into the St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame in 2024. [84]
Year | Team | Games | Rushing | Receiving | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GP | GS | Att | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | ||
2004 | STL | 14 | 3 | 134 | 673 | 5.0 | 48 | 4 | 19 | 189 | 9.9 | 28 | 0 |
2005 | STL | 15 | 15 | 254 | 1,046 | 4.1 | 51 | 8 | 43 | 320 | 7.4 | 27 | 2 |
2006 | STL | 16 | 16 | 346 | 1,528 | 4.4 | 59 | 13 | 90 | 806 | 9.0 | 64T | 3 |
2007 | STL | 12 | 12 | 237 | 1,002 | 4.2 | 54 | 5 | 38 | 271 | 7.1 | 37 | 1 |
2008 | STL | 12 | 11 | 253 | 1,042 | 4.1 | 56 | 7 | 40 | 379 | 9.5 | 53 | 1 |
2009 | STL | 15 | 15 | 324 | 1,416 | 4.4 | 58 | 4 | 51 | 322 | 6.3 | 38 | 0 |
2010 | STL | 16 | 16 | 330 | 1,241 | 3.8 | 42 | 6 | 46 | 383 | 8.3 | 49 | 0 |
2011 | STL | 15 | 15 | 260 | 1,145 | 4.4 | 47 | 5 | 42 | 333 | 7.9 | 50 | 1 |
2012 | STL | 16 | 16 | 258 | 1,045 | 4.1 | 46 | 4 | 38 | 321 | 8.4 | 22 | 0 |
2013 | ATL | 12 | 12 | 157 | 543 | 3.5 | 50 | 6 | 33 | 191 | 5.8 | 25 | 1 |
2014 | ATL | 15 | 15 | 190 | 707 | 3.7 | 55 | 6 | 20 | 148 | 7.4 | 17 | 0 |
2015 | NE | 2 | 1 | 21 | 50 | 2.4 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 20 | 20.0 | 20 | 0 |
Total | 160 | 147 | 2,764 | 11,438 | 4.1 | 59 | 69 | 461 | 3,683 | 8.0 | 64 | 9 |
Jackson wore the #39 for the number of books in the Old Testament. [87]
Marshall William Faulk is an American former professional football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 12 seasons with the Indianapolis Colts and St. Louis Rams. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest running backs of all time.
Larry Darnell Fitzgerald Jr. is an American former professional football wide receiver who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 17 seasons with the Arizona Cardinals. He played college football for the Pittsburgh Panthers, earning unanimous All-American honors in 2003. Fitzgerald was selected by the Cardinals with the third overall pick in the 2004 NFL draft. He is widely considered by fans, coaches and peers to be one of the greatest receivers in NFL history.
Franklin Gore Sr. is an American former professional football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 16 seasons. A member of the San Francisco 49ers during most of his career, he ranks third in NFL career rushing yards. His career was noted for its longevity, rare for his position, and he holds the league record for games played by a running back.
Jamaal RaShaad Jones Charles is an American former professional football running back who played 11 seasons in the National Football League (NFL), primarily with the Kansas City Chiefs. He played college football for the Texas Longhorns, where he won the 2006 Rose Bowl, and was selected by the Chiefs in the third round of the 2008 NFL draft.
Maurice Christopher Jones-Drew, often called "MJD", is an American former football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL) for nine seasons. He played college football for the UCLA Bruins, earning unanimous All-American honors in 2005.
DeSean William Jackson is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the California Golden Bears, where he was recognized as a two-time, first-team All-American in 2006 and 2007. He was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round of the 2008 NFL draft, and also played for the Washington Redskins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Los Angeles Rams, and Baltimore Ravens. Jackson was selected to the Pro Bowl three times, and was the first player selected to the Pro Bowl at two different positions in the same year when he was named to the 2010 Pro Bowl as a wide receiver and return specialist.
DeMarco Murray is an American football coach and former player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL) for seven seasons. A three-time Pro Bowl selection and one-time first-team All-Pro, he was the NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 2014 after leading the NFL in both rushing yards and rushing touchdowns.
Jared Alan Cook is an American former professional football player who was a tight end in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the South Carolina Gamecocks and was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the third round of the 2009 NFL draft. He also played for the St. Louis Rams, Green Bay Packers, Oakland Raiders, New Orleans Saints and Los Angeles Chargers.
Mark Valentino Ingram II is an American former professional football running back and current on-air personality for Fox Sports. He played 12 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide, becoming the first Alabama player to win the Heisman Trophy after rushing for 1,658 yards in 2009 en route to winning the 2010 BCS National Championship Game.
Malcolm Brown is an American professional football running back who is a free agent. He played college football for the Texas Longhorns where he twice a second-team all-Big 12 selection and was the 2011 Big 12 Newcomer of the Year. He was signed by the St. Louis Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2015, and has also played for Miami Dolphins.
Tavon Wesley Austin is an American former professional football wide receiver. He played college football for the West Virginia Mountaineers, receiving first-team All-American honors twice and was selected by the St. Louis Rams in the first round of the 2013 NFL draft.
Todd Jerome Gurley II is an American former football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL) for six seasons, primarily with the Los Angeles Rams. He played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs, earning first-team All-SEC honors. He was selected by the Rams with the 10th overall pick of the 2015 NFL draft.
Brandin Tawan Cooks is an American professional football wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Oregon State Beavers, earning consensus All-American honors. He was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the first round of the 2014 NFL draft. After three seasons with New Orleans, Cooks played one season for the New England Patriots, two seasons for the Los Angeles Rams and three with the Houston Texans before joining the Dallas Cowboys in 2023.
Devonta Cornellius Freeman is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Florida State Seminoles and was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL draft.
Trence Mason is an American former professional football player who was a running back for the St. Louis Rams of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Auburn Tigers, earning first-team All-American honors in 2013. He was selected by the Rams in the third round of the 2014 NFL draft.
Javorius "Buck" Allen is an American former professional football running back. He was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL draft. He played college football at USC.
Christian Jackson McCaffrey, known by the initials CMC, is an American professional football running back for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Stanford Cardinal and was selected by the Carolina Panthers eighth overall in the 2017 NFL draft. As a sophomore in 2015, McCaffrey was named AP College Football Player of the Year and was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy. He holds the NCAA record for most all-purpose yards in a season (3,864).
Christopher Dewayne Carson is a former American football running back. He played professionally for five seasons for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL), after playing college football at Butler Community College before transferring to Oklahoma State in 2016. A neck injury during the 2021 NFL season prematurely ended his career.
Tyshun Raequan "Deebo" Samuel Sr. is an American professional football wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the South Carolina Gamecocks and was selected by the 49ers in the second round of the 2019 NFL draft. In 2021, he was selected to the Pro Bowl and received first-team All-Pro honors.
Kyren Lawrence Williams is an American professional football running back and punt returner for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and was selected by the Rams in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL draft.