Former Tampa Bay Bucs’ wide receiver Vincent Jackson dead at 38

Image via AP.

Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Vincent Jackson was found dead in a hotel room in Brandon, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Department reported.

The 38-year old reportedly checked into the Homewood Suites in Brandon on Jan. 11 and had been staying there ever since. According to News Chanel 8, his family reported him missing on Feb. 10. Hillsborough County Sheriff’s deputies checked on Jackson two days later and closed the missing persons case after assessing his well-being.

He was found dead in his hotel room Monday morning by a housekeeper, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

There were no signs of trauma, but a cause of death has yet to be determined.

“Football aside, he touched countless lives through his Jackson In Action 83 Foundation. We shared a passion for supporting military families, and three years ago, Jackson was even made an honorary deputy by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office to recognize his dedication to the community,” Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a statement of the football player turned philanthropist, according to News Chanel 8. “He will be sorely missed by not only football fans across the country, but also the people here in Hillsborough County who reaped the benefits of his generous contributions.”

“Mr. Jackson was a devoted man who put his family and community above everything else,” the Sheriff said, noting that Jackson, a South Tampa resident, was made an honorary deputy.

The son of military parents, Jackson founded the Jackson In Action 83 Foundation, a nonprofit to support military families.

“We are all mourning the loss of our beloved @VincentTJackson. His wife and family ask that everyone respect their privacy at this time,” the foundation tweeted Monday.

Jackson was also a major investor in the Manhattan Casino project in south St. Petersburg, which was recently approved for a lease amendment on its city-owned property to accommodate a food hall.

It’s not clear what Jackson’s death means for that project.

A spokesperson for Mayor Rick Kriseman, who championed the project as an economic redevelopment win for the struggling area, declined to comment citing respect for Jackson’s memory and his grieving family.

Mourning his death, Jackson’s former teams highlighted his dedication to community service.

“During his five seasons with our franchise, Vincent was a consummate professional, who took a great deal of pride in his performance on and off the football field,” Buccaneers owner and co-chairman Bryan Glazer said in a statement, noting Jackson’s work in the community.

“His greatest achievements as a Buccaneer were the four consecutive nominations he earned as our Walter Payton Man of the Year,” the team said, referring to the award given to NFL players for their service to the community.

The Chargers, now based in Los Angeles, said Jackson was “gone too soon.”

“We are shocked and deeply saddened by news of Vincent Jackson’s sudden passing. Vincent was a fan favorite not only for his Pro Bowl play on the field but for the impact he made on the community off of it,” the team said on Twitter.

An outpouring of appreciation flowed on social media.

“I started crying holding his jersey. I grew up a chargers fan,” said one fan who identified himself as YungEazy on Twitter. “Great personality and no hate in the world. This is very sad. Rest In Peace King.”

Jackson signed with the Bucs in 2012 and played with the team until retiring in 2016. Jackson was first signed to an NFL team in 2005 as a second round draft pick for the San Diego Chargers.

Jackson was a three-time Pro Bowler, named twice during his tenure with the Chargers and once with the Bucs.

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Content from The Associated Press was used in this report.