Longtime NFL Quarterback Tarvaris Jackson Dead At 36 After Alabama Car Accident

Longtime former NFL quarterback Tarvaris Jackson has passed away in Alabama on Sunday night. He was just 36 years old.

The former professional athlete was involved in a car accident in his home state at some point in the evening, according to a report from NFL Network‘s Ian Rapoport.

According to local media reports, the crash occurred at roughly 8:50 p.m. local time in the Montgomery, Alabama area. Local news outlets are reporting that the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency has determined Jackson’s 2012 Chevrolet Camaro left the roadway, struck a tree, and overturned. It’s still unclear what caused the accident.

Jackson spent a long time playing quarterback in the NFL after first being drafted out of Alabama State University back in 2006, often backing up starting quarterbacks but also starring at times in his own right. He spent five seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, where he saw considerable playing time on the field early in his career, even leading the franchise in 2011 with more than 3,000 yards passing and 14 touchdowns.

After that, he spent one year with the Buffalo Bills, and then the final three years of his career with the Seattle Seahawks. In Seattle, he was the backup QB behind star Russell Wilson; Jackson won a Super Bowl ring with the team for their victory in Super Bowl XLVIII in February 2014. Interestingly, while helping the Seahawks defeat the Denver Broncos in that game, Jackson became the only backup quarterback to see playing time in a Super Bowl game in the last two decades.

Having been a high profile college football star in his home state of Alabama, Jackson returned there after his playing career ended, and was an assistant coach for the Alabama State University football team through 2018. For the 2019 season, he had moved over to become the quarterbacks coach for Tennessee State University; on Monday morning, the school confirmed the reports of Jackson’s passing in the car accident.

Respects poured in from players and journalists around the league today. Players confirmed Jackson was notably respected by his peers, with one reporter calling him “one of the most universally respected players in the Seahawks locker room in the 15 years I’ve been around the team.”

One-time Seahawks quarterback BJ Daniels shared a personal anecdote about the deceased star, too, tweeting (below):

Tarvaris Jackson was my mentor! He played the game with dignity and taught me how to use my MIND ???? to manipulate the defense. When my family couldn’t make it to Seattle for holidays, it was TJACK who invited me to his house to celebrate with his family!

— BJ DANIELS (@BJDANIELS10) April 13, 2020

I came to @Seahawks with the same kind of talent as my guy @DangeRussWilson and I will ALWAYS respect and admire the way the QB room accepted me and supported me. Especially Tarvaris Jackson who didn’t have a single bone in his body of jealousy or animosity. RIP BRO ????????

— BJ DANIELS (@BJDANIELS10) April 13, 2020