This offseason, we want you to get to know our players a little more off the field.
While you may be aware running back Justin Jackson was selected in the seventh round of the 2018 NFL Draft, here are five fun facts you may not know about number 32.
1. Eclectic Music Tastes: When asked about his favorite type of music, Jackson replied "all". Whether it's new or old, chances are, he listens to it. He admitted he listened to J. Cole and hip hop until high school, then, branched out into other genres. "My dad is from Detroit so Motown is big. Soul music is big for me." He likes artists like Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Marvin Gaye and still listens to current hip hop, but the list doesn't stop there. "I really like punk bands like Blink-182, All Time Low, As it Is and State Champs." Also, he's a fan of heavier music like metal. "I think sometimes people (underestimate it). Avenge Sevenfold and Slipknot, yeah they have heavy music, but then they have parts where they're just singing and it's great. I like that spectrum, too." Jackson admitted there isn't a genre he doesn't listen to, so add EDM, alternative, classical, jazz and yes, country to the list. "I love country. Chris Stapleton, Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Thomas Rhett. The list goes on and on."
2. Former Sax Player: So while he loves music, Jackson also said he used to play. "I played saxophone in middle school. I was in the band!" He said he actually was pretty good, and his stepmom liked it because of her love of jazz music, but had had to stop because of sports.
3. He. Loves. Bread.: A couple years ago, Oprah did a commercial for Weight Watchers where she professed her love for all things bread. Count Jackson in. "I have this weird obsession with bread," he said. "I love croissants. Pillsbury Doughboy biscuits. When I was younger, I used to go in the kitchen, take a few pieces of bread, peel the crust off and roll it up in a ball and eat it." While he loves Pillsbury, but said he's had some really great croissants at local French bakeries.
4. Il est minoré en français: Translation? He minored in French. "I can speak the language pretty well. I chose it in middle school, and kind of just stuck with it through high school, then college." While he's been studying the language for over 10 years, he hasn't been to France. But good news, next summer he plans on going to Paris where he can put his studies to good use and eat some croissants.
5. Former Jobs: While he now has a gig as an NFL player, Jackson worked a variety of jobs when he was younger. One was a paper route which he admitted was terrible. "I hated going to people's doors and asking if they wanted to buy a paper. I wouldn't!" Since he didn't make a bowl game his freshman year, he went home and worked for a company that replaced air filters at a Caterpillar Inc. building. "I got paid really well, but it made me want to get a college degree so I wouldn't have to do manual labor. I got carbon fiber all over my skin so that was rough." Jackson did get that college degree from Northwestern, where he majored in economics and minored not only in French, but in business, as well.
The Chargers' 2018 training camp schedule is official, so mark your calendars to watch the Bolts prepare for the upcoming season! The team will hold 14 practices open to the public between July 28 and August 23. For more information, please visit **www.chargers.com/camp**.
