Oklahoma football: Keith Jackson honored with NCAA Silver Anniversary Award
Keith Jackson spent six NFL seasons with the great Reggie White. Four years as an Eagle (1988-91) and two years as a Packer (1995-96).
OU’s Keith Jackson outruns Iowa State’s Lopey Williams as Barry Switzer looks on. Photo by Doug Hoke, The Oklahoman, 1987.
And Friday night, when the NCAA honors Jackson with its Silver Anniversary Award, the words of the late White will resonate with Jackson. “I have to sum it up with words from a friend who was near and dear to my heart. Reggie White,” Jackson said. “‘If people remember me only as a football player, I’ve failed miserably.’ When something like this happens, it brings that back to me. What you do for people. how you impact people, that’s totally different.”
Jackson will be remembered for more than football. As an OU football player in 1984-87, Jackson was an all-American tight end and also received the NCAA’s prestigious Top Six Award, which recognizes athletic achievement, academic excellence and character/leadership activities. But the NCAA also has the Silver Anniversary Award to honor distinguished individuals on the 25th anniversary of the conclusion of their collegiate athletic careers. Jackson’s renowned P.A.R.K. organization — Positive Atmosphere Reaches Kids — in his hometown of Little Rock, Ark., has inspired and helped children for more than a decade.
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Berry Tramel, a lifelong Oklahoman, sports fan and newspaper reader, joined The Oklahoman in 1991 and has served as beat writer, assistant...
