Heart and Soul of Buffalo Fred Jackson Tribute

Buffalo Bills Jackson was invited to training camp with the Buffalo Bills in 2006 by Bills general manager Marv Levy, a Coe College alumnus himself. He made his first career start against the Washington Redskins in 2007, rushing for 82 yards while catching four passes for 69 yards in a Bills victory. He became the first Division III running back to start an NFL game since December 24, 2000, when former Ferrum College running back Chris Warren started for the Philadelphia Eagles against the Cincinnati Bengals. In a 2007[5] victory over the Miami Dolphins, Jackson rushed for 115 yards with a long of 27 yards to top the 100-yard rushing mark for the first time in his NFL career. Teammate Marshawn Lynch rushed for 107 yards, marking the first time the Buffalo Bills had two players rush for 100-plus yards in the same game since 1996 when Thurman Thomas and Darick Holmes accomplished the feat. Before the 2009 season,[6] Jackson signed a four-year contract extension to stay with the Bills. In 2009, after winning the starting job from Lynch in Week 12, Jackson eclipsed the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the first time in his career with 1,062 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also set a career high in catches with 46 for 371 yards and 2 more scores and also completed a 27-yard touchdown pass. Jackson also had 1,014 kickoff return yards making him the first player in NFL history to compile 1,000 rushing and 1,000 kickoff return yards.[7] The 2,516 combined yards are the fifth highest all-purpose yards total in NFL history.[8][9] In Week 17 of the 2009 season, versus the Indianapolis Colts, Jackson had a career day with 212 rushing yards and a receiving touchdown. In 2011, Jackson was having his best season to date, as the team's undisputed starting running back. Jackson had six 100-yard rushing games in the first ten weeks. During a Week Eleven loss to Miami, however, Jackson suffered a fractured fibula. Jackson was placed on Injured Reserve later in the week,[10] and missed the remainder of the season. At the time of his injury, Jackson's 934 yards were third in the NFL.[11] The Bills had already been on a three-game losing streak when Jackson was injured, but lost all games but one for the rest of the 2011 season without Jackson. For his strong performance he was named to the USA Today All Joe Team as he was no longer Pro Bowl eligible.[12] On May 5, 2012, Jackson signed a two-year contract extension, keeping him with the Bills until 2015.[13] Jackson had arguably the best season of his career in 2013. Despite playing as the backup to C.J. Spiller most weeks, Jackson accumulated 1,283 yards from scrimmage and scored 10 total touchdowns. On October 19, 2014 Jackson suffered a groin injury against the Minnesota Vikings.[14] He returned on November 9 against the Kansas City Chiefs. On August 31, 2015, two days after he ran for 43 yards and a touchdown in a preseason win against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Bills released Jackson as part of roster cuts.[15] He finished third on the Bills' all-time rushing list.[16] Accolades During the 2009 season, Jackson became the first player in NFL history to compile 1,000 rushing and 1,000 kickoff return yards.[17] 2010 winner of the Buffalo Bills/NFL Walter Payton "Man of the Year" award.[17] During the 2010 season, Jackson was named to the USA Today All-Joe Team for his quality play.[18] NFL Ground Player of the Week (2010, Week 10) NFL Ground Player of the Week (2011, Week 2)