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Top 25 Players in AFL History: #22 Chris Jackson

March 29, 2012 - Arena Football League (AFL) News Release


CHICAGO - Continuing its countdown of the 25 Greatest Players in AFL History, the Silver Anniversary Committee has announced its selection for the 22nd Greatest Player in AFL History: Chris Jackson.

Jackson made an immediate impact as a rookie with the Los Angeles Avengers in 2000, stringing together nine 100-yard receiving games in his first season of Arena Football. He finished his rookie campaign as the League's Rookie of the Year, totaling 91 receptions for 1,325 yards and 26 touchdowns, and averaging nearly 125 all-purpose yards per game.

Bouncing back and forth between the outdoor and Arena games for much of the early 2001 and 2002 seasons, the 6-foot-1, 200-pound offensive specialist returned to the Arena game better than ever in 2003, earning Offensive Player of the Year honors and becoming the first player in AFL history to win both the Rookie and Offensive Player of the Year awards in a career.

In a game against the Austin Wranglers in 2004, Jackson made his mark on the League record books, recording 44 points in a game against Austin in 2004. The number remains the third-highest point total in AFL history.

In 2005, Jackson joined the Georgia Force and in his debut game became just the 11th player in AFL history to record 1,000 career points. Jackson and the Force came within three points of victory in ArenaBowl XIX that year.

Jackson spent three seasons in Georgia, and continues to hold numerous franchise records including points scored in season (306), receptions (145), receiving yards (1,915) and receiving touchdowns (47). He also set the franchise mark for points scored in a game with 42 against Tampa Bay in 2006.

After the 2007 season, Jackson became a free agent and elected to sign a contract with the Philadelphia Soul. In his lone season in Philly, Jackson set franchise records for points scored (294), receptions (140) and receiving touchdowns (49). For his efforts, he was named Offensive Player of the Year for the second time in his career and led the Soul to victory in ArenaBowl XXII, where he was named Offensive Player of the Game.

ArenaBowl XXII appeared to be the final game of Jackson's career until the 14-2 Arizona Rattlers came calling in July 2011. After losing top receivers Rod Windsor and Trandon Harvey, the Rattlers found themselves in need of a new top target for quarterback Nick Davila. On July 8, 2011, Jackson agreed to come out of retirement for one last run.

In his first game in nearly three years, Jackson recorded six catches for 78 yards and two touchdowns, aiding the Rattlers in their defeat of the Pittsburgh Power and propelling Arizona to clinch home field advantage throughout the playoffs. Despite losing to Jacksonville in ArenaBowl XXIV, Jackson was named the ArenaBowl's Offensive Player of the Game for the second time in his career.

Jackson recorded eight 1,000-yard seasons during his ten-year career and had a streak of 52 consecutive games with a receiving touchdown. Both are the second-highest marks in League history. The three-time First-Team All-Arena selection also boasts the unique distinctions of not only making ArenaBowl appearances with three different teams in his first year with each club, but also being named Offensive Player of the Game in both of his final two ArenaBowl appearances.

Jackson ended his career with more postseason receiving touchdowns (45) than any player in AFL history. He ranks second all-time in receiving touchdowns in a career (325) and postseason points (278), and third in AFL history in receptions (1,004), receiving yards (13,378), and postseason receiving yards (1,743).

The League's Silver Anniversary Committee will continue to countdown its list of the 25 Greatest Players in AFL History each week throughout the 2012 regular season, with the announcements of the Top 5 during the postseason.

25 Greatest Players in AFL History

22. Chris Jackson

23. Ben Bennett

24. Clevan Thomas

25. Gary Mullen

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