Bluecats Backers Chat with...Matt Jackson

Published on May 27, 2004 under National Indoor Football League (NIFL)
Evansville BlueCats News Release


Matt Jackson joined the Evansville Bluecats just three short weeks and two games ago. His impact on the 2004 Bluecats has been immediate and powerful. Scotty Stewart, the Bluecats starting Free Safety, said, "Matt brings a new fire to this team that was really needed." In his two games Jackson has 14 tackles, 2 interceptions, and forced and recovered a fumble on kickoff coverage to help seal the Bluecats 51-49 win over the Houma (LA) Bayou Bucks last Saturday night.

Jackson, who is from Live Oak, FL, recently finished his senior year at the University of Florida. His first three years at Florida he was a wide receiver and although he only started a handful of games he played in ever game his freshman, sophomore, and junior years. His senior year he was moved to cornerback. Jackson recently received a call from Bluecats head coach Ollie Guidry giving him an opportunity to play in Evansville. That call was on a Wednesday and Guidry picked Jackson up from the airport on Friday. Jackson said, "I see this opportunity as a stepping stone, a chance to showcase my ability."

Jackson said he got to see the Bluecats play in an 88-84 win over the Show Me Believers. He practiced the next week and stepped in and had 6 tackles, an interception and a pass deflection in the Bluecats loss to the Atlantic City Card Sharks. Jackson said, "It was big to step in and play well. The indoor game is a lot faster. I like the fact that I get work on every play. It will help slow things down once I get back outdoors."

Jackson said, "I bonded really well and really quick with the guys. I like playing with guys that have fun and like to swarm the ball." Jackson and Scotty Stewart hit it off as defensive backfield mates right away. "Scotty has helped unbelievably. He makes sure I get the calls and get in the right position. In the Houma game he told me to watch for a certain route. I was able to jump the curl (route) and get an interception." Stewart looks at it like this, "I feel like anytime you tell him to do something he is going to do it regardless. He listens. He doesn't think he knows everything. I am very confident in his level of play. He is willing to take a chance. He is so confident in his skills. It is something he had to learn at an early age."

Jackson's assessment of his first two games as a Bluecat, "I haven't played bad. It is a lot different than what I am used to. You have to make adjustments as quick as possible. I have done a good job. It is something to build on. I just try to get better with each game. I don't have to have a pick each game. I just want to do what I am supposed to do and good things will happen."

Jackson played high school football for his dad, Jimmy, at Swannee High School in Live Oak. Jimmy Jackson has been a high school coach for 20 years. According to Matt, "In my four years at Florida my parents only missed 1 game. My dad would coach the high school game on Friday night and then it was off (to see me play) right after the game." Jackson is also very close to his sister Tawanna and her son Ta'Davus. He jokingly said, "My sister said she is going to claim me on her taxes. Anytime I need something I call her," Jackson said. On his left bicep, Jackson has the names of all of his family members tattooed around a cross. On his right bicep is a portrait of his sister, Tawanna. Jackson said his mom, Karen, was at the Houma game and that his dad and 2 uncles will be in Lexington this weekend to see him play against the Horsemen.

Jackson's senior year at Swannee High the starting defensive backfield included his three best friends, who all went on to play college football in Florida. Jackson along with Jarvis Harring, a safety at Florida, Kelly Jennings, a defensive back at the University of Miami (FL), and Kyler Hall, a free safety at Florida State, all formed a special bond that season. "Our families are all real close. We all call each other before games, even when we played each other," Jackson said. He said he thought it was really unique to have friends from all three big Florida schools stay so close after high school. Jackson is also very close to his girlfriend, Chivon.

Matt Jackson and the Evansville Bluecats take on the Lexington Horsemen this Saturday night at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky. Game time is set for 6:30 CDT. You can catch all the action on Gold WYNG 95 starting at 6 with the Bluecats broadcast team of Dan Egierski and Mike "Sandman" Sanders. One thing is for sure you can look for another great game from the Bluecats star cornerback Matt Jackson.

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National Indoor Football League Stories from May 27, 2004


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