CURRENT NFL SUPERSTAR’S STORY GIVES HOPE TO ALL ATHLETES COINED, “LONGSHOTS”

Buffalo Bills Running Back Fred Jackson has ties to the APFL and after being named MVP in 2005-earns a shot with legendary coach Marv Levy.

By Jessica Olson

By now most everybody has heard of Buffalo Bills RB Fred Jackson.  He was the NFL’s third (3^rd) leading rusher prior to breaking his leg last week (with less than a month to go in the regular season).  But prior to 2007, Jackson was another football player with insurmountable odds and a dream of playing at the game’s highest level.

Jackson’s story begins at Lamar High School (Arlington, TX).  Much like the famed story of basketball legend, Michael Jordan, Jackson had problems establishing himself on the high school team.  Jackson was listed as a third (3^rd) string running back.  13 of his teammates earned scholarships to play college football, he wasn’t even recruited.  Needless to say, Jackson thought he would never play past his senior season.   He was considered too small and too slow. The fact he has achieved unparalleled success is a credit to his work ethic and undying belief in his abilities to succeed.  It may be the ultimate All-American success story.  Nobody has overcome greater odds and achieved more success.

With no opportunities to play past high school, Jackson’s junior high school coach arranged an opportunity to play football at Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  Coe College is a Division III program that doesn’t offer scholarships. Jackson jumped at the chance to keep his dream alive.  He made the most of it.  He was two-time conference MVP and a five (5) time All-American.  In 2002, he rushed for 1700 yards and 29 touchdowns.

He thought his career would end at Coe.  NFL teams still considered him still too small. So he signed a pro contract with the Sioux City (Iowa) Bandits in 2004 to play professional indoor football. Only making $200/game, Jackson worked as a youth counselor for Four Oaks to survive.

In 2005, he was named league CO-MVP.  He rushed for 1,770 yards, and scored 53 touchdowns. (40 rushing, 11 receiving and 2 on kick returns). 

His chance to make his dreams come true happened in 2006.  Buffalo’s executive and Coe alumnus Marv Levy invited Jackson to attend the Bills training camp.  He was considered a longshot and realistically had no chance of making the team.

Jackson surprised everybody and in 2007, started his first game against the Washington Redskins.  He rushed for 82 yards and 69 receiving yards in a Bills victory.  On December 9^th, he marked his first 100 yard rushing game.   Jackson had made such an impact on the Bills, they ultimately traded star running back (2007 1^st round-12^th overall pick) Marshawn Lynch to the Seattle Seahawks to give more playing time to Jackson.  He rewarded the Bills with his first 1,000 yard rushing season.  He also added 1,000 kickoff return yards to his resume, making him the first player in NFL history to record both in a season.

In 2008, the Bandits retired Jackson’s jersey and honored his achievements. 

ABOUT THE AMERICAN PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE

The APFL has eight (8) teams that play in five (5) Midwestern states.  The league plays a 14 game schedule from March-June.  2012 will be the 10^th anniversary of the league, making it the longest consecutive running indoor football league in the United States. Here’s a list of the teams and their entry into the league. 

OTHER APFL HIGHLIGHTS:

· The only women to play a man’s professional football game happened in the APFL with Abby Vestal who kicked a field goal for the Kansas Koyotes in 2007.

· The oldest person to play a professional football game happened in 2004, when Jim Kates, age 62, kicked a field goal for the Koyotes.

· The Koyotes hold the record for the longest consecutive championship streak in professional football with six (6) straight titles.  (2003-2008).

· The Sioux City Bandits are the current defending Champions.

· 2012 will be the 10^th Anniversary of the League.

· Current Houston Texans RB Derrick Ward made the Koyotes 2006 roster.  Former three (3) time Super Bowl Champion Clayton Holmes starred for Topeka from 2008-09.

· Jason Brookins RB- (Baltimore Ravens/Green Bay Packers) played for the Mid Missouri Outlaws.