‘Full of life, full of fun’: The remarkable story of Edwin Jackson

STATESBORO — Mary and Wesley Jackson were greeted by a standing ovation as they made their way to the stage at the 2018 Georgia Southern University spring commencement ceremony.

Wesley walked with a cane in his left hand and held his wife’s hand with his right. Mary, wearing a white blazer and skirt, clutched a tissue with her free hand.

Dr. Curtis Ricker, then dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, welcomed the Jacksons.

“Mr. President,” Ricker read, “the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences is proud to recommend the bachelor of science degree posthumously to Edwin Jackson.”

Ricker paused — to let those in attendance cheer and to wipe a tear that was falling from his right eye.

“Edwin’s parents, Wesley and Mary Jackson, are here to receive his degree,” Ricker continued.

President Jaimie Hebert congratulated the Jacksons, handed them Edwin’s degree and gave Mary a hug. The Jacksons began to walk down the ramp to their seats so the ceremony could continue.

As they reached the end of the ramp, Wesley broke away from his wife and held his cane like a staff as if to lead an army.

“Georgia,” Wesley yelled. “Southern!”

The crowd responded.

He repeated the chant a few more times, until dry eyes became the exception and chills ran rampant throughout the stadium.

To this day, Edwin Jackson’s siblings still get emotional when talking about their brother’s death.

It’s been two-plus difficult years.

On Feb. 4, 2018, Edwin Jackson was taking an Uber in Indianapolis, where he played linebacker for the NFL’s Colts. According to state police, the ride-share driver, Jeffrey Monroe of Avon, Indiana, had pulled his car to the side of Interstate 70 because Jackson was ill. The men were standing outside the car when it was struck by a pickup truck driven by a drunk driver. Jackson, 26, and Monroe 54, were killed.

Instead of dwelling on those weeks following Edwin’s death, his family tells Edwin’s story and helps the communities that he loved so much.

“Edwin was very aware of his influence once he became a college athlete as well as professional,” said Adam Jackson, one of Edwin’s brothers. “And he never took that for granted. Every chance he got, he would reach out to youth to motivate and inspire. He knew his ‘don't quit’ story was unique and could be told to inspire others to reach their dreams.”

Beating the big guys

As the humid Florida sun beat down on his neck, Stephen Jackson began to tear up. They weren’t tears of sadness or dread, but tears of pride. The tears came after several hours of standing with his parents, siblings and 82,000 other football fans.

The Jackson family was there in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Florida, to watch their little brother, Edwin, and Georgia Southern play the Florida Gators. Edwin was a junior at Georgia Southern and played linebacker for the Eagles, who competed at that time at the FCS level.

Stephen, one of Edwin’s nine siblings, talked with him almost every day leading up to the season finale in Gainesville.

“I remember one of those nights he told me about a conversation he had with one of his former (Westlake) High School teammates that was playing with Florida,” Stephen said. “He told Edwin that they had a serious shot of getting the win.”

After taking in the pregame festivities, the pomp and circumstance that come with an SEC game and the final pregame huddle of the 2013 season, Edwin made the first tackle of the game. A few plays later, he made another tackle.

Three hours later, he fulfilled his prophecy from earlier that week as the Eagles defeated the Gators 26-20. Jackson led the team with 10 tackles.

“Edwin was so consistent,” said Cora Asiana, one of Edwin’s sisters. “If Florida had the ball, all I remember is Edwin stopping them. Like all over the field. It didn’t matter where the ball was, Edwin was there. They won, too, and shocked the whole world.”

With the spotlight shining on him, Edwin made the most of his moment. It wasn’t the first time he took advantage of his opportunity and it wasn’t the last.

“Ultimately I believe Edwin played college football to be a part of a community and leave a legacy,” said Michelle Jackson, one of Edwin’s sisters. “Family participation is a huge thing in the Jackson household. If we didn't drive down for the games in person, then we were having house parties and everyone would come over to watch.”

Edwin Jackson was a man who gave his all to everyone around him — both on and off the field.

“I think Edwin is remembered as someone who lived life to the absolute fullest,” Adam said. “Every day. I think in today's time his life's story is still very relevant as a tool of inspiration.”

His NFL shot

The 2015 NFL draft concluded Saturday, May 2. After months of practicing, going through GS Pro Day, meeting with scouts, the Atlanta native felt he had a real opportunity to be drafted. The Jacksons hosted a draft party and invited friends and family to celebrate their son’s accomplishment.

But then the final round ended, Jackson didn’t hear his name, so he quietly retreated to the basement to be with his thoughts.

Just moments after the Mr. Irrelevant pick was made to complete the draft, the Arizona Cardinals called Jackson to let him know they were going to sign him as a free agent.

The Jacksons popped champagne and passed around balloons, but as the celebration went from Saturday to Sunday, Adam Jackson still felt a slight sense of disappointment coming from his brother.

“I knew he was ready for the NFL after his senior year,” Adam said. “He knew it, too.”

So Edwin took advantage of the Cardinals’ opportunity and worked hard to try to make the roster in Arizona. He was cut on Aug. 31.

Two weeks before the 2015 season, Jackson’s dreams of playing in the NFL seemed done after he made six tackles in two preseason games.

Edwin went back to his parents’ house in Atlanta, where he picked up a job with UPS and continued to work out.

The job delivering packages didn’t last long.

Edwin received a call from the Colts asking if he could be on the next flight to Indianapolis for a tryout. The Jacksons rejoiced, tearfully, and again sent Edwin off with champagne and balloons.

Edwin signed with the Colts on Jan. 5, 2016. Indianapolis is where he would spend the rest of his career.

“Edwin participated in many sports, from wrestling, basketball, baseball and a home-taught gymnast,” Michelle said. “He often showed off his tumbling skills during afternoons with his younger siblings. Throughout high school he continued with his active schedule, while winning three regional championships in wrestling.”

In the 2016 season, Jackson finished with 66 tackles and two sacks. He was the Colts’ third-leading tackler.

That year would ultimately be Jackson’s lone season in the NFL, as he was went on the injured-reserve list just before the 2017 season.

“It was always very emotional for me the entire time he was in Indy,” Adam said. “Just to see Edwin live out his dreams in that fashion was very surreal. He worked so hard to get to that level. Most athletes do, but very few took a similar route as Edwin as far as having setbacks and overcoming odds of always being the underdog. That's what made it so special.”

Legacy of giving

In the two years following his death, Edwin’s spirit has lived on through the work of his family and friends.

“Edwin was a giver on and off the field,” Cora Asiana said. “We have decided to continue telling his story by providing scholarships to make the load a little lighter for selected college students, and by annually sponsoring local Atlanta football camps that serve underserved youth.”

When Edwin was still in school, he took a trip to Costa Rica one winter break to hold a sports clinic for local children. He regularly volunteered with Special Olympics from high school to his professional career in Indianapolis.

With the help of friends and family, Edwin founded the Edwin Jackson 53 Foundation, which demonstrates a commitment to youth-focused community service. Each year, the foundation awards scholarships to college students at schools in Georgia and Indiana who use their time to support youth in their communities.

At GS, the football program renamed the annual walk-on tryouts in honor of Jackson, who began his journey as a walk-on before later being awarded a scholarship.

“Edwin knew he had the ability to play on the next level after high school,” Adam said. “He wasn't offered any scholarships coming out, but he decided to go to Georgia Southern to walk on. Playing college ball was a goal Edwin set for himself, knowing that he was just as good as those that received scholarships coming out of high school.”

In Indianapolis, the Colts honored Jackson with a helmet decal throughout the 2018 season. They also presented the Jacksons with a $25,000 donation to the 53 Foundation.

“I think the Colts have done an unbelievable job with the Edwin Jackson situation,” GS head coach Chad Lunsford said after the Colts’ announcement of the decal. “From the funeral to how they remember him, I have great respect for the Colts organization because that’s a really awesome deal for them to do for him and his family.”

Adam and his siblings still keep an eye on the Colts and Eagles, traveling to games when they can. But football was just one small aspect of the man who cared so greatly for his friends and family.

The Jackson family wants to keep that same mentality for as long as they can.

“Edwin was just the best little brother,” Adam said. “Full of life, full of fun. Loved people, loved music, loved to live. All those things came out in the way he played the game. Winning a game was all about trying to make other people happy.”