Former UNC Widefield High Vincent Jackson was found dead in a Florida hotel room

DENVER – Vincent Jackson, a former receiver at the former University of Northern Colorado and Widefield High School, was found dead Monday at a hotel in Brandon, Florida, authorities have reported there.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said Jackson, 38, who had lived south of Tampa, had checked into Brandon’s Homewood Suites on Jan. 11. Jackson’s relatives reported his disappearance Feb. 10 to the sheriff’s office, and then filed a formal report the next day, the sheriff’s office said.

On Feb. 12, deputies found him at the Homewood Suites, assessed his well-being and canceled the missing person’s case, officials said.

But the former Pro Bowl receiver was found dead by a housewife around 11:30 a.m. Monday in his hotel room, the sheriff’s office reported.

There were no apparent signs of trauma to Jackson’s body, the sheriff’s office said, and the county forensic office will determine his cause of death.

Jackson was an all-time football player at Widefield High School in Colorado Springs and also played basketball. He attended the University of Northern Colorado on a part-time scholarship and was an All-America as a freshman knitting tornado. He also played basketball for the Bears.

CHRIS DONAHUE / AP

Jackson went on to become the university’s record holder in receptions and reception yards for both a game and the season, receiving touchdowns and back yards.

Reed Doughty, a former UNC teammate and flatmate of Vincent Jackson, told Denver7’s Troy Renck “that he is deeply saddened” by the death of a friend.

They were inducted into the NoCo Hall of Fame in 2011. Jackson waited a year to enter the Hall before he could enter with Doughty. “It was a special evening.” They decided to go to UNC together after meeting on a recruiting trip to the Colorado School of Mines.

He was selected in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers, where he went on to have two Pro Bowl seasons and three seasons in which he surpassed 1,000 receiving yards. It was the highest pick in the history of a UNC football player.

Jackson signed a five-year, $ 55 million contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2012 and ended that year with career highs at receptions and reception yards and earned another Pro Bowl selection. He would play four more years with the Bucs before injuring his knee in 2016 and retiring in 2018.

Buccaneers owner Bryan Glazer said the team was saddened to learn of the news and praised his work off the field, which earned him several gestures as a nominee for the man of the year award. Walter Payton’s year.

“We are surprised and saddened to hear the terrible news of the loss of Vincent Jackson. During his five seasons with our franchise, Vincent was a consummate professional, who was very proud of his performance on and off the football field. Vincent was a dedicated father, husband, businessman and philanthropist, who had a profound impact on our community through his tireless advocacy for military families, with the support of the Jackson in Action Foundation 83. He was three times selected to the Pro Bowl for his successes on the field, but his biggest success as a Buccaneer was the four consecutive nominations he earned as Walter Payton’s Man of the Year. Our deepest condolences to his wife, Lindsey, and to the entire Jackson family. “

“My heart aches for the many loved ones Vincent Jackson leaves behind, from his wife and children to the Buccaneers nation that adored him,” Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a statement .

“Mr. Jackson was a devout man who put his family and community above all else. Football aside, he touched countless lives through his Jackson In Action Foundation 83. We shared a passion for support. to military families and, three years ago, Jackson was even named an honorary deputy by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office in recognition of his dedication to the community, “Chronister added.” Not only will you find them at missing football fans across the country, but also people from Hillsborough County who reaped the benefits of their generous contributions. “

“Rest in peace on one of the biggest bears of all time,” the University of Northern Colorado football team said on Twitter.

This is news in development and will be updated.