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Former NFL player gives back at home
By Curtis Pulliam
Sharon, pa
Marlin Jackson can’t imagine doing anything better than coaching on a beautiful, sunny day.
Coaching life, that is.
Jackson, a former NFL player for the Indianapolis Colts and Philadelphia Eagles, hosted “Seal the Deal” youth football camp in his hometown of Sharon, Pa. The camp consists of many different football drills and sessions designed to help kids improve their basic football skills.
Jackson is also using the camps to teach kids of all ages more than the game.
“It feels great,” said Jackson, a former University of Michigan standout. “Being out here on the field I played on [feels great]. But more so seeing the smiles on the kids faces and knowing that we’re getting memories that they’ll have for the rest of their life.”
Jackson, who was a high school All-American for the Sharon Tigers in 2000, wants to provide opportunities for children.
“I remember my memories and having positive experiences with football camps and things of that nature,” Jackson said. “We really try to stress — and do a good job — tying it back all to life and being successful in life, not just on the football field.”
Jackson acknowledges the impact former Michigan head coach Lloyd Carr had on his life on and off the field. The former defensive back was an All-American in 2004 for Carr’s Wolverines.
“It was great — some of the best times of my life,” Jackson said. “Really sparked and fueled in me the things that I do now. Having that environment opened my eyes up to exactly what the world has to offer and the opportunities that are out there. It gave me the drive to go on and be successful outside of football.”
Injuries brought an end to Jackson’s NFL career in 2012. He believes the possibility is there for coaching sometime in the future.
“Probably later on,” said Jackson, who started the Fight For Life Foundation in 2007 as a way to help disadvantaged kids. “I’m more passionate about coaching life than just football. I really feel like I would be wasting my talent a bit overall. I think I have even greater talent to effect change and help people realize their own potential. This is kind of my football fix.”
Jackson admitted the camp is only one of the smaller things his organization does to help kids, but he says it’s “extra special” being at the place where his athletic career started.
“Man, it means everything,” Jackson said. “This is my roots, where I’m from, the beginning. Coming back and being able to share the experiences I’ve learned, and creating an experience and [providing] positive experiences for these kids back in the Valley, it means the world because it’s necessary. Kids that come from here don’t usually have these type of opportunities to experience these types of events.”