Rampage sign top offensive specialist in Arena Football - Chris Jackson

Published on October 26, 2004 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Grand Rapids Rampage News Release


When the AFL free agency contact period began at 12:01a.m. on September 1, 2004, Grand Rapids Rampage head coach Sparky McEwen's first phone call was to Los Angeles Avenger offensive specialist Chris Jackson. Today, McEwen held a press conference introducing Jackson, the 2003 AFL Offensive Player of the Year, as the newest member of the Grand Rapids Rampage.

Jackson (6'02" 204 lbs Washington State) comes to the Rampage as someone who is arguably the best offensive specialist in the league. Since his arrival to Arena Football five seasons ago, Jackson has caught more passes, gained more receiving yards and scored more touchdowns or points than any other player in the AFL. He has scored a touchdown in all but one game in his AFL career. Additionally, Jackson is the only player in AFL history to be named Rookie of the Year (2000) and then be named Offensive Player of the Year (2003).

In 2003, Jackson was named the AFL's Offensive Player of the Year after leading the league in receptions (117), yards (1,737) and receiving touchdowns (46). His 46 touchdown catches tie for the most in a single-season in league history.

Last season, he caught 125 passes and gained 1,803 yards; a record even better than the season during which he was awarded AFL Offensive Player of the Year. He finished fourth in the AFL in receptions; however, his 1,803 yards led the league and rank fifth all-time in single-season AFL history. Jackson averaged almost three yards a catch more than 2004 AFL Offensive Player of the Year Marcus Nash (32 more yards in 29 less catches) in one less game played.

Jackson played in just 10 games in 2002, but still finished with 85 receptions for 1,205 yards and 28 touchdowns. In a game at Dallas on May 4, 2002, he broke his right wrist in the second quarter, but continued to play and made a spectacular catch for the game-winning touchdown with 13 seconds remaining. Jackson missed the next two games, but returned on May 24, 2002, and caught 13 passes for 194 yards and six touchdowns in a victory over the Georgia Force. In his first two seasons, he played at the wide receiver/linebacker position, but the signing of Greg Hopkins to the Avengers prior to the 2002 season allowed him to move to the offensive specialist position.

In 2001, Jackson played in nine games, hauling in 62 passes for 725 yards and 13 touchdowns. In Week 11, he was named the AFL's Ironman of the Week for his outstanding performance against the Arizona Rattlers on June 23, 2001; a game during which he caught 12 passes for 144 yards and four touchdowns. On the other side of the football, Jackson made two tackles and came up with his first AFL interception versus the Rattlers. On July 7, 2001, in a game against the Nashville Kats, he suffered a stress fracture to his left foot, causing him to miss the final two games of the 2001 season.

Jackson was named the AFL's Rookie of the Year in 2000, leading the team in receiving yardage (1,325), receptions (91), scoring (156 points), touchdowns (26) and all-purpose yards per game (124.9). He also made the AFL All-Rookie squad and had nine 100-yard receiving games. His first AFL game was against the Rampage in Grand Rapids on April 15, 2000.

Prior to his Arena career, Jackson was the primary target for Ryan Leaf (1998 #2 overall NFL draft pick) at Washington State from 1996-97. As a senior, Jackson set a Cougar single-season record with eleven receiving scores and ranked fourth in the PAC-10 with 54 catches for 1,005 yards. His most memorable performance helped seal a trip to the Rose Bowl in 1997, as Jackson caught eight passes for 185 yards and two touchdowns against Washington. Jackson spent 1998 on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers practice squad and attended training camps with the Seattle Seahawks (1998-99), Tennessee Titans (2000), Green Bay Packers (2002) and Miami Dolphins (2003).

Under first-year head coach Sparky McEwen, this past off-season has been one the busiest for the Rampage in terms of acquiring and re-signing some of the best talent available. They have re-signed the top free agent fullback/linebacker, Chris Avery, as well as gaining the top free agent offensive specialist in Jackson. Additionally, the team has added af2 Offensive Player of the Year Matt Burnstein, af2 Lineman of the Year James Landers, and All-af2 kicker Peter Martinez. The Rampage have also signed new leadership to the offensive/defensive line in 11-year vets Tony Bowick and Otis Moore. Two former NFL players with local ties have also been signed; quarterback Curt Anes and Clarence Coleman. From the expansion draft, the Rampage acquired offensive specialist Terrill Adams and defensive specialist Trayvon Waller. From the dispersal draft, the team obtained wide receiver/linebacker Anthony Hines, wide receiver/defensive back Ryan Bowers and lineman Matt Keneley.

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from October 26, 2004


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