“Many former athletes have a foundation. Few have the passion, commitment, execution and ultimately results that [Jackson] has demonstrated,” Jay Mize, a board member of the foundation, told Bold Business in March 2019. “He does it for the right reasons, does not care about the credit and in my opinion has created one of the strongest military-based foundations in the country, if not the strongest.”
The Chargers, now based out of Los Angeles, released a statement Monday saying the team was “shocked and deeply saddened” by the news of Jackson’s death.
“Vincent was a fan favorite not only for his Pro Bowl play on the field but for the impact he made on the community off of it,” the statement read. “The work he has done on behalf of military families through his foundation in the years since his retirement has been an inspiration to all of us.”
The Buccaneers, who recently won the 2021 Super Bowl, said in a statement that Jackson was “a consummate professional” during his five years with the team.
“Vincent was a dedicated father, husband, businessman, and philanthropist, who made a deep impact on our community through his unyielding advocacy for military families, supported by the Jackson in Action 83 Foundation,” the statement read.
Cause of Death
The Hillsborough County Medical Examiner’s Office is working to determine the cause of death. There were no apparent signs of trauma, according to HCSO.
The medical examiner is also working to officially identify Jackson’s remains based on dental records.
This investigation is ongoing.
Our prayers go out to the family of Jackson and his family.