Rickey Jackson Childhood

Rickey Anderson Jackson was born on March 20, 1958 in Pahokee, FL. He is the son of Leila Lawson and Van Jackson. Rickey started out on his football path with the confidence not seen at that age in Pahokee. He called himself the ‘City Champ’ and his hard work and talent backed up the title. He started playing organized football in high school and the City Champ from the small town would continue playing at a high level all the way to the Hall of Fame.

Rickey Jackson High School Stats and Awards

Jackson attended Pahokee High School. He played both football and basketball during those years. In football however, he became one of the best high school players in Florida. He had his share of major college football programs recruiting him. His mother wanted him to attend the University of Miami so he could stay close to home. However, Jackson wanted to get away and chose the University of Pittsburgh.

Rickey Jackson College Career Stats and Notes

Jackson played for Pitt from 1977-80.  He totaled 290 tackles and 21 sacks during his college career. He was part of a fearsome Pitt defense that powered the team to a bowl appearance each year he played. Jackson was named a Second Team All-American in 1980.

Rickey Jackson NFL Career Stats and Notes

Jackson was drafted with the 51st pick in the 1981 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints. He played thirteen seasons in New Orleans and helped a once downtrodden franchise become a contender in the early 1990s. He was part of a talented quartet of linebackers that also included Vaughan Johnson, Pat Swilling and Sam Mills.

In 1994, Jackson signed with the San Francisco 49ers. He played there for two seasons. He was part of a team that was finally able to get over the Dallas Cowboys after two straight losses in the NFC Championship Game. The 49ers would crush the San Diego Chargers 49-26 in Super Bowl XXIX. Jackson retired after the 1995 season and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010.

Rickey Jackson and the Dome Patrol

During the late 1980s and early 90s, the Saints had one of the best defenses IN the NFL. The unit was led by four great linebackers: middle linebackers Vaughan Johnson and Sam Mills and outside linebackers Pat Swilling and Jackson. The four of them were nicknamed the ‘Dome Patrol’! Together they made 18 Pro-Bowls during their time in New Orleans. In 1992 all four were selected to the Pro-Bowl, the first time in NFL history that many linebackers from one team made the same Pro-Bowl.

List of Pro Football Hall of Fame Members