PHOTOS: Remembering former Bucs WR Vincent Jackson
WFLA 8 On Your Side Staff
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Vincent Jackson has died at the age of 38.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said Monday the retired NFL player was found dead in a Brandon hotel room. His death is under investigation.
Jackson was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in 2005. He signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2012 and retired in 2018.
TAMPA, FL – OCTOBER 11: Vincent Jackson #83 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers takes the field during a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Raymond James Stadium on October 11, 2015 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Vincent Jackson of the Tampy Bay Buccaneers poses in the press room at the 5th annual NFL Honors at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2016, in San Francisco. (Photo by Alison Yin/Invision for NFL/AP Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – SEPTEMBER 20: Mike Evans #13 celebrates with Vincent Jackson #83 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers following his touchdown reception during the second quarter of a game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on September 20, 2015 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – AUGUST 16: Wide receiver Vincent Jackson #83 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium during a preseason game against the Miami Dolphins on August 16, 2014 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Cliff McBride/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – FEBRUARY 05: Vincent Jackson of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers visits the SiriusXM set at Super Bowl 50 Radio Row at the Moscone Center on February 5, 2016 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for SiriusXM)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – NOVEMBER 22: Vincent Jackson #83 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates his touchdown catch in the second quarter with teammates Cameron Brate #84 and Joe Hawley against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on November 22, 2015 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – DECEMBER 07: Vincent Jackson #83 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks on prior to playing the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on December 07, 2014 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – NOVEMBER 22: Vincent Jackson #83 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates his touchdown catch in the second quarter with teammate Logan Mankins #70 against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on November 22, 2015 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – FEBRUARY 05: Vincent Jackson of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers visits the SiriusXM set at Super Bowl 50 Radio Row at the Moscone Center on February 5, 2016 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for SiriusXM)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – NOVEMBER 22: Vincent Jackson #83 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers makes a first down catch in front of E.J. Biggers #38 of the Philadelphia Eagles during the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on November 22, 2015 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Tamps Bay defeated Philadelphia 45-17. (Photo by Rich Schultz /Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – SEPTEMBER 18: Wide receiver Vincent Jackson #83 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers makes a reception against defensive back Tyvon Branch #27 of the Arizona Cardinals during the third quarter of the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on September 18, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Buccaneers 40-7. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC – OCTOBER 10: Vincent Jackson #83 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers makes a jumping catch against the Carolina Panthers in the 1st quarter during the game at Bank of America Stadium on October 10, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Vincent Jackson (83) makes a one-handed catch during drills at an NFL football minicamp Tuesday, June 14, 2016, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)
San Diego Chargers wide receiver Vincent Jackson, during an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 16, 2010, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)
San Diego Chargers receiver Vincent Jackson signs autographs for members of the Little League World Series champion Chula Vista, Calif., baseball team at the NFL football team’s practice facility Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2009, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)
San Diego Chargers wide receiver Vincent Jackson prior to the Chargers’ NFL football game against the Denver Broncos Monday, Nov. 22, 2010, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
San Diego Chargers wide receiver Vincent Jackson during the first half of an NFL football game in San Diego, Sunday, Dec. 12, 2010. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
San Diego Chargers wide receiver Vincent Jackson signs autographs during an NFL football training session at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2011, in San Diego. Marines and their families stationed at Miramar were treated to a light Chargers practice Wednesday, before the team plays the San Francisco 49ers Sept. 1. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
San Diego Chargers wide receiver Vincent Jackson during NFL football training camp Monday, Aug. 8, 2011, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
San Diego Chargers’ Vincent Jackson did not suit up for the Chargers game against the Arizona Cardinals prior to a preseason NFL football game on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2009, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Vincent Jackson (83) celebrates his touchdown with wide receiver Mike Evans (13) in the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)
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Before his retirement, in April of 2017, Jackson helped co-host Daytime TV. Jackson was a free agent at the time of his appearance, and spoke about his NFL career and what was ahead for his family.
“Tampa’s home for us,” he told former Daytime host Cyndi Edwards. “This is where my family plans on staying.”
Jackson also spoke about growing up as a military kid and how that pushed him to launch the Jackson in Action 83 Foundation to help military families.
“There’s so many great foundations and charities out there for the servicemen and women, which – rightfully so, they’re out there sacrificing for us – but I think sometimes what gets overlooked is the family at home. The kids, the spouses,” he said. “So we really want to try to bridge that gap for the families.”
Jackson’s foundation earned him several nominations for the NFL’s annual Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. He was named the nominee for the Bucs in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.
