Darrell Lamont Jackson (born December 6, 1978) is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver for nine seasons in the National Football League (NFL) during the 2000s. Jackson played college football for the Florida Gators, and thereafter, he played in the NFL for the Seattle Seahawks, the San Francisco 49ers and the Denver Broncos of the NFL.
Early life
Jackson was born in Dayton, Ohio in 1978, one of eight brothers and sisters in his family. He attended Tampa Catholic High School in Tampa, Florida, where he was a standout wide receiver for the Tampa Catholic Crusaders high school football team. As a senior, Jackson set then-national high school records for career receiving yardage (4,594) and average yards per catch (24.05), and caught a total of 191 passes in three seasons for the Crusaders. He had eighty-nine receptions for 2,087 yards and twenty-eight touchdowns as a junior, and sixty-seven receptions as a senior. He saw limited action as a freshman and sophomore, but he was the Gators' leading receiver in Spurrier's "fun 'n' gun" offense as a junior in 1999.
Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks selected Jackson in the third round (eightieth pick overall) in the 2000 NFL draft, and he played for the Seahawks for seven seasons from to . During the season, Jackson set a Seahawks franchise record with eighty-seven receptions (broken by Bobby Engram in 2007). On December 18, 2005, he made his first appearance for the Seahawks after returning from an injury that he received playing the Washington Redskins; in this appearance, he helped carry the Seahawks to victory with a touchdown reception.
In Super Bowl XL Jackson tied the record for most receptions made in the first quarter of a Super Bowl with five, tying former Buffalo Bills wide receiver Andre Reed. Despite his brilliant performance, Seattle lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers 21–10. He was denied a touchdown catch in the first quarter, due to a controversial offensive pass interference penalty called by back judge Bob Waggoner.
In Seahawks franchise history he is fifth in receiving yards, fourth in receiving touchdowns and sixth in receptions.
San Francisco 49ers
On April 29, 2007, Jackson was traded to the San Francisco 49ers for a fourth-round draft pick in the 2007 NFL draft. On March 14, 2008, after a disappointing 2007 season, the San Francisco 49ers placed Jackson on waivers, making him a free agent.
Denver Broncos
On April 16, 2008, Jackson signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Denver Broncos. He filled in when called upon and started for the suspended Brandon Marshall in week 1, and the injured Eddie Royal in week 6. Despite being third on the depth chart, he managed twelve receptions for 190 yards (a 16.5 yard average).