New England Patriots Cornerback J.C. Jackson plays cornerback but unbeknownst to fans, he is a man of many football talents.
“He said he played receiver in high school,” Stephon Gilmore told reporters. “That’s why he says he’s able to track the ball really well.”
Jackson’s father Christopher said in fact that not only was he a receiver at Immokalee High School, he was also an All-American in his home state of Florida.
“He was good running routes, slants, posts,” Christopher said. “He played both sides of the ball in high school.”
Christopher said while he was recruited to Florida State to play receiver, ultimately Jackson chose to attend Florida as a cornerback.
“He wanted to focus more on corner,” Christopher said.
The athletic interceptions Jackson made today did not surprise his father who said he saw more of the same from his son at Immokalee.
“I seen him in high school jumping up with two people on him in the back of the end zone and making the catch,” Christopher said with a laugh. “I have seen it before.”
When those balls were up in the air, There was no question in Christopher’s mind that his 24-year-old son was going to come down with them.
“Not to sound cocky, but I know what J.C. is capable of doing and I trained him well,” Christopher said with a laugh.
When Jackson was really young, Christopher detailed the training he put his son through to elevate his footwork and hands.
“When he was about five-years old, we used to run the bleachers, I used to make him lay on his stomach and I would have him pop up and make him catch it,” Christopher said. “Used to make him go 15-20 yards back and made him pop up and catch it and then I used to make him face me with his back towards me. When he heard the ball, he had to turn around and catch it.”
Jackson went through a difficult time in his life in the middle of his college career. This caused his stock to plummet leading him to sign as an undrafted free agent with the Patriots.
The Maryland alum worked his way onto the roster and has now played as the No.2 cornerback beside All-Pro Stephon Gilmore for a better part of the second half of the season.
When he sees his son have success like this and looking back at what he went through, he cannot help but get emotional.
“It brings tears to my eyes,” Christopher said. “Because we went through a lot, he went through a lot. We were on him but it was not about us, J.C. had to want it too. I think a lot of kids would have just gave up, but he is not built like that.”
Speaking with his son after the game over FaceTime, he had one critique for Jackson.
“While we were FaceTiming, I saw he was eating chips and I said, ‘Stop eating them chips you need to get some peanuts and cashews for protein,'” Christopher said with a laugh. “He just said, ‘Ok dad.'”
