Eastern Michigan Athletics
Alumni Spotlight: Darius Jackson
6/12/2020 11:22:00 AM | Football
Story written by freelance writer Art Brooks
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (EMUEagles.com) -- Talk about persistence. Running back Darius Jackson was a sixth-round draft choice by Dallas in 2016.
He's on his second stop with Indianapolis. Jackson, 26, has been with the Cowboys three times, as well as with Green Bay, Tampa Bay and Cleveland.
His career rushing totals show six carries for 16 yards.
What keeps him going?
Christian Edwards of the Colts' communications department asked Jackson these pertinent questions going into this season:
How do you explain your resiliency, having been with so many teams?
"My journey is unique, and I appreciate every part of the process. The NFL is an opportunity-based business, and some opportunities are greater than others. Just blessed to be going on year five in this league regardless of the team. It's a feat many have not accomplished. I continue to push myself and stay resilient season-to-season based off of my personal end goal. That goal is to leave the game with my name ingrained somewhere in the history books. When I do that, I will be satisfied."
What do you see for your role this season?
"Honestly my role is to just be the best player I can be in every phase of the game. First and foremost, be the biggest impact player on the field as a running back whether I have the ball in my hands or not. Secondly, do my job to the highest level on special teams. The rest will take care of itself."
Creighton's stance
Head Coach Chris Creighton gave his scouting report on Jackson: "Amazing athlete -- size, speed and ability to catch the ball. Smart and coachable. Really blossomed his senior year, was an absolute beast. His confidence is really high as he has been in the league for several years and knows he can play. Humble and confident at the same time."
Art Brooks is a retired Detroit News sports copy editor and longtime volunteer at EMU's student newspaper, the Eastern Echo.
He's on his second stop with Indianapolis. Jackson, 26, has been with the Cowboys three times, as well as with Green Bay, Tampa Bay and Cleveland.
His career rushing totals show six carries for 16 yards.
What keeps him going?
Christian Edwards of the Colts' communications department asked Jackson these pertinent questions going into this season:
How do you explain your resiliency, having been with so many teams?
"My journey is unique, and I appreciate every part of the process. The NFL is an opportunity-based business, and some opportunities are greater than others. Just blessed to be going on year five in this league regardless of the team. It's a feat many have not accomplished. I continue to push myself and stay resilient season-to-season based off of my personal end goal. That goal is to leave the game with my name ingrained somewhere in the history books. When I do that, I will be satisfied."
What do you see for your role this season?
"Honestly my role is to just be the best player I can be in every phase of the game. First and foremost, be the biggest impact player on the field as a running back whether I have the ball in my hands or not. Secondly, do my job to the highest level on special teams. The rest will take care of itself."
Creighton's stance
Head Coach Chris Creighton gave his scouting report on Jackson: "Amazing athlete -- size, speed and ability to catch the ball. Smart and coachable. Really blossomed his senior year, was an absolute beast. His confidence is really high as he has been in the league for several years and knows he can play. Humble and confident at the same time."
Art Brooks is a retired Detroit News sports copy editor and longtime volunteer at EMU's student newspaper, the Eastern Echo.
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