Fred Jackson

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Jackson’s path to the NFL was unconventional. Overlooked by every college after high school due to his size (5 ft 8 in, 160 pounds) and speed concerns at Lamar High School, he enrolled at Division III Coe College via a connection with his junior high coach. There, he flourished, earning four All-American honors in 2002 and two conference MVP awards before graduating in 2003. His professional journey began in the indoor leagues with the Sioux City Bandits, where he was named co-MVP of the United Indoor Football league in 2005 after scoring 53 touchdowns in 18 games. After playing for Rhein Fire in NFL Europe, Jackson signed with the Buffalo Bills on January 19, 2006. He spent his first season on the practice squad before becoming a starter in 2007, making history as the first Division III running back to start an NFL game since 2000.

In Their Own Story

The 2009 season marked Jackson’s true arrival as a premier NFL player. After winning the starting job from Marshawn Lynch in Week 12, he rushed for 1,062 yards and two touchdowns to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark for the first time. That year also saw him set career highs with 46 receptions for 371 yards and complete a 27-yard touchdown pass. His versatility was unmatched; in Week 17 against the Indianapolis Colts, he amassed 212 rushing yards and a receiving score. By season's end, Jackson became the first player in NFL history to compile both 1,000 rushing yards and 1,000 kickoff return yards in a single season, totaling 2,516 all-purpose yards—the fifth-highest total in league history at that time. Despite suffering a fractured fibula in Week 11 of the 2011 season which ended his year, he was named to the USA Today All Joe Team. In 2013, playing often as a backup to C.J. Spiller, he still accumulated 1,283 yards from scrimmage and scored 10 total touchdowns.

Reader's Guide

Jackson’s career is defined by resilience and versatility. He spent nine seasons with the Buffalo Bills after signing in January 2006, initially allocated to NFL Europe before joining the practice squad. His breakout came in 2007 when he became the first Division III back to start since 2000. He was a complete offensive weapon, capable of rushing for over 1,000 yards (2009, 2013) and contributing significantly as a receiver. In 2009, his unique dual-threat capability on rushes and kick returns set a historical precedent. He played through significant injuries, including a fractured fibula in 2011 that cost him the remainder of the season, yet remained a key contributor until being released by Buffalo on August 31, 2015. Following this release, he signed with the Seattle Seahawks for the 2015 season, reuniting with Marshawn Lynch and earning his first playoff win against the Vikings in the Wild Card Round. He officially retired as a Bill on April 18, 2018.

Did You Know?

• Jackson never received a college scholarship offer despite being a state qualifier in the 100 meters; he attended Coe College because his junior high coach arranged it.
• In 2009, Jackson became the first player in NFL history to record both 1,000 rushing yards and 1,000 kickoff return yards in the same season.
• His childhood home in Arlington, Texas, was demolished to build Cowboys Stadium; he later played there on November 13, 2011, when the Bills faced the Cowboys.
• Jackson worked as a youth counselor at Boys & Girls Home Family Services while playing for the Sioux City Bandits to make ends meet.
• He became the oldest active running back in the NFL during the 2015 season before joining the Seattle Seahawks.