The body of former NFL wide receiver Vincent Jackson was discovered by a housekeeper at around 11:30 a.m., according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO). He was only 38 years old.
Jackson, who was a South Tampa resident, checked into the hotel located on Palm River Road on Jan. 11. He had been staying there since then, hotel staff said.
On Feb. 10, Jackson’s family members called the sheriff’s office to report him missing. A formal report was filed on Feb. 11, and on Feb. 12, deputies found Jackson at the hotel. After assessing his well-being, the missing person case was canceled, according to HCSO.
Jackson’s 12 seasons in the NFL
Jackson played college football at the University of Northern Colorado where he was a standout player, according to the school.
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He was drafted to the San Diego Chargers in 2005 and played there for six seasons, making the NFL Pro Bowl twice. He ultimately played 12 seasons in the league, spending his first seven with the Chargers and last five with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
He went on to play for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers — who won Super Bowl LV earlier this month — from 2012 until 2016. In 2012, he made a third appearance in the Pro Bowl.
Jackson is survived by his wife, Lindsey VanDeweghe, whom he wed in July 2011. The couple shared three children: Carter, Amaya, and Dominick. After retiring from the NFL in 2016, Jackson and his family made South Tampa, Florida, their home.
Off of the field, the NFL star was committed to making an impact through his charitable efforts. He launched the Jackson In Action 83 Foundation in 2012 as a way to help support military families, focusing especially on kids’ educational, emotional and physical health.
