Players

Vincent Jackson had a trying year in 2010. Tendered by the Chargers as a restricted free agent, Jackson opted to hold out at the start of the season and did not report to the squad until Oct. 30. When he did sign, he spent the next three weeks on the “Roster-Exempt” list and did not appear on the field until the Chargers’ nationally-televised Nov. 28 Sunday Night Football game at Indianapolis. Jackson’s debut was short-lived, however, as he strained a calf early in the contest and was sidelined again, this time for two weeks. He finally returned healthy for the Chargers’ Dec. 12 game against division rival Kansas City and a week later against San Francisco turned in a spectacular performance with three touchdowns and 112 yards on five catches.

For 2011, Jackson has been designated as the Chargers’ Franchise player.

Jackson had a Pro Bowl season in 2009, setting careerhighs in receptions (68), yards (1,167) and touchdowns (nine). He helped the Chargers lead the NFL in yards per catch (13.3) and completions of 20+ yards (67); he tied teammate Malcom Floyd for second in the league with a 17.2 ypc avg., and he became the only receiver in the NFL to average over 17.0 ypc each of the last two seasons (18.6 ypc in 2008). Jackson also joined Antonio Gates (1,157 yards) as the first Chargers receiving duo to top 1,000 yards since 1985, and their combined total of 2,324 yards was the most by two Chargers since 1980. And Jackson, who went for 1,098 yards in 2008, became the first Charger to post consecutive 1,000-yard seasons since 1995-96.

Jackson was a solid prep student-athlete at Widefield High School in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Yet despite outstanding grades (4.1 GPA), a seat in student government, the offer of an academic scholarship from Columbia University, a solid prep football career and steady employment that included cleaning rooms in a Super 8 Motel and selling vacuum cleaners door-to-door, Jackson was unable to attract attention or a scholarship offer from either of the state’s two biggest schools: Colorado or Colorado State. Undeterred, Jackson took his skills to Division I-AA Northern Colorado where he became a standout in football and basketball. He re-wrote most of the school’s football records, was a two-time All-America, and became the highest NFL draft choice in school history. Jackson also played two seasons of basketball, earning all-league honors while leading the team in points and assists.

Jackson spent much of his childhood in Louisiana. His parents, Terence and Sherry, both served in the Army, his dad as a first sergeant medic. The family lived in Phoenix, Arizona, and Grafenwoher, Germany, before settling in Colorado Springs. Jackson’s experience as an Army brat led him to join forces withmycelebritees.com and “Guide On,” a nonprofit mentoring program for kids who have lost a parent in combat. A portionof the proceeds from each “Action” Jackson T-shirt sold on mycelebritees.com goes directly to “Guide On.”

Jackson has also hosted a football camp and volunteered with the San Diego Food Bank.

TRANSACTION HISTORY: Second-round pick (61) by San Diego, April 23, 2005…signed five-year contract, July 29, 2005.

2011: Had a monster day in Week 2 against New England, setting new career highs with 10 catches and 172 yards, and catching two fourth-quarter touchdown passes (3 and 26 yards)...helped keep second touchdown drive alive with 14-yard catch on 3rd-and-10...Caught a 55-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter against Maimi in Week 3.. In doing so, moved past Ronnie Harmon (3,928) and LaDainian Tomlinson (3,955) and into ninth place on the Chargers’ all-time receiving yardage list...on the Chargers’ first field goal drive of the second quarter, Jackson caught a 42-yard pass…on that catch, he went over 100 yards for the game and 4,000 yards for his career…Jackson finished the game with three catches for 108 yards, his second 100-yard game of 2011...In Week 9 against the Green Pay Packers, Jackson finished the game with three touchdowns (tying his career high) and 141 yards on seven catches…his other three-touchdown game came against San Francisco Dec 16, 2010 in Qualcomm Stadium…it was his 14th career 100-yard game. With the three touchdowns, Jackson increased his career tally to 34 and he overtook Tony Martin (33) for ninth place on the team’s all-time touchdown receptions list. With the 141 yards, Jackson increased his career tally to 4,261 and moved past Martin for eighth on the team’s career receiving yardage list...Had a monster day with 165 yards and a touchdown on seven catches Week 11 at Chicago...it was the second-most yards in a game for Jackson...he started secondquarter touchdown drive with a 32-yard catch on the first play and set up the score with a 39-yarder to the Bears’ 8 on a 3rd-and-11...later his five-yard touchdown catch early in the third quarter tied the game at 17-17...he had a 47-yard catch during that scoring drive...Caught a 20-yard pass followed by a 35-yarder for a score to put the Chargers up 24-14 Week 13 against Jacksonville...the touchdown catch was the 36th of Jackson’s career, tying him with John Jefferson for eight-most in team history...Jackson’s 58-yard catch on 3rd-and-8 during a second quarter touchdown drive in Week 15 against Baltimore put him over 1,000 yards for the year, his third-career 1,000-yard season.

2010: Dec. 16 vs. San Francisco, 58-yard touchdown catch in 1Q is team’s second-longest of season…11-yard touchdown in second quarter and 21-yarder in fourth quarter for careerhigh third touchdown catch...went over 100 yards for game on third touchdown…was Chargers’ first three-touchdown receiving performance since 2005 (Antonio Gates), and first 100-yard, three touchdown performance since 1997 (Tony Martin).

2009: Pro Bowl third-alternate added to AFC roster...Sports Illustrated All-Pro...Chargers co-Offensive POY... Game Ball Oct. 25 at KC  after franchise-record 142 yards in first half, incl. two 51-yard catches in 2Q to become first NFL player with two 50-yard catches in Q since 2006...Game Ball after two TDs in 21-20 win Nov. 8 at NYG, including 18-yard GW with 0:21 left in 4Q...33-yard catch on 3rd-and-8 and 39-yard catch on 3rd-and-12 during key scoring drives for Game Ball following 20-17 win in DAL Dec. 13...Game Ball for two TDs Dec. 20 vs. CIN...went over 1,000 yards for season on first TD...game-high 111 yards in Divisional Playoffs vs. NYJ...game-high 122 yards, including 48-yard TD to tie game 24-24 in 3Q of Pro Bowl Jan. 31 at Miami’s Sun Life Stadium.

2008: USA Today All-Joe...Chargers Alumni Offensive POM for October…134 yards and TD in Oct. 12 NBC SNF win over NE...most rec. yards by Bolts’ WR since David Boston vs. CIN in ’03…career-high 148 yards vs. OAK Dec. 4 in NFLN Thursday Night game, incl. 59-yard TD...10-yard GW TD catch in 4Q with 0:36 remaining at KC Dec. 14…opened GW TD series with 42-yard catch…late 2Q 25-yard catch Dec. 21 at TB to go over 1,000 yards for first time in career...it set up team-record 57-yard FG by Nate Kaeding…scored game’s first TD (41 yards) in Jan. 11 Divisional Playoffs at PIT.

2007: First-career 100-yard game (114) and first playoff TD in Jan. 6 Wild Card vs. TEN…over 100 yards on 3Q 25-yard TD catch for first lead of game (10-6)…with Chris Chambers (121 yards) became Bolts’ first WR duo over 100 yards in playoffs since ’83…leading receiver in Jan. 13 Divisional Playoffs at IND, incl. 14-yard TD catch in 2Q…leading receiver in Jan. 20 AFC Championship Game at NE.

2006: First-career TD vs. TEN Sept. 17 ...five-yard 4Q TD helped Chargers overcome 17-point deficit for 28-27 lead at DEN Nov. 19…Chargers Alumni POW after KC game Dec. 17...GW 37-yard TD catch with 0:29 in 4Q of Dec. 24 win at SEA 2005: First-career catch (18 yards) during 2Q TD drive in 31-26 win over NYJ Nov. 6.

COLLEGE: School-record 177 rec., 3,548 yards, 37 TDs, 1,024 PR yards and 5,810 all-purpose yards…All-Great West Conference Offensive POY in ‘04 and first-team all-conference…school-record 80 rec. and 1,952 all-purpose yards in ’04…led team to NCAA semifinals as junior…second-team All-America by AP and Sports Network…school-record 1,462 yards and 21 TDs in ’03…UNC Frosh Athlete of Year in FB in ’01...Division I All-Independent for 2003-04 basketball season (13.6 ppg, 3.1 apg and 5.6 rpg)…career-high 25 points and seven assists in ’04 Senior Night win over Johnson & Wales…UNC Student-Athlete of Month Dec. ’03… final hoops totals 12.3 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 100 assists, 18 blocks and 40 steals…42 GP with 23 GS...shot .490 from field, .313 from three-point range and .543 from free-throw line…played football at from 2001-04…business major.

PERSONAL: Born in Fort Polk, Louisiana…honorable mention all-state as senior on gridiron at Widefield HS in Colorado Springs, Colorado…first-team all-conference and all-area...lettered in basketball.