Reports: Former Vikings QB Jackson killed in crash
Former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Tarvaris Jackson was killed Sunday night in a car crash in Alabama. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network first reported the news Monday morning.
Jackson, 36, was an offensive analyst and quarterbacks coach at Tennessee State University, according to the university’s website.
Former #Seahawks QB Tarvaris Jackson died last night in a car accident in Alabama, a spokesperson for his employer Tennessee State tells me. Jackson, 36, was TSU’s QB coach. Along with Seattle, he also played for the #Vikings and #Bills.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 13, 2020
ESPN Reporter Courtney Cronin said the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency confirmed to her that Jackson was killed when the Chevrolet Camaro he was driving left the road, struck a tree and overturned.
Tarvaris Jackson was back near his native Montgomery, AL on Sunday when he was involved in a single-vehicle crash at 8:50 p.m. Per the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, Jackson was killed when the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro he was driving left the roadway, struck a tree then overturned.
— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) April 13, 2020
The Vikings drafted Jackson out of Alabama State 64th overall in 2006. He went on to play five seasons with the team before spending four other seasons with the Seattle Seahawks and one with the Buffalo Bills. He won a Super Bowl with Seattle in 2014.
During his time with the Vikings, Jackson played in 36 games, starting 20 of them, and threw for 3,984 yards with 24 touchdowns and 26 interceptions, and ran for another 535 yards and four touchdowns, according to NFL.com.
The Vikings acknowledged the news and released the following statement Monday:
"The entire Vikings family is saddened by the news of Tarvaris Jackson being taken from us too soon. One of Tarvaris’ greatest attributes was his positive outlook and approach. He genuinely cared about others, was a good friend and will be missed by family, teammates and Vikings fans everywhere. We send our deepest condolences to his family."