There has not been much said about Damian Jackson. Like many other NFL hopefuls, Jackson is hoping for an opportunity to show what he can do for an NFL team. Unlike most NFL hopefuls, Damian Jackson is a 30-year-old former Navy SEAL. If it were up to Jackson, he would not really discuss himself. Jackson by all accounts is quiet, respectful, and keeps to himself. It is those qualities that make others (including myself), want to tell the story of an individual who has given so much for others, and who people hope will see his NFL dream come true.
Former SEAL Damian Jackson Striving to Become a Long Snapper in the NFL
Becoming a SEAL is no small feat. It is one of, if not the most grueling physical, mental, and emotional experiences a human being has ever been put through. It is done in the name of ensuring the freedoms and safety of millions of Americans. The cost is only felt by the selected few, who are strong enough physically, mentally, and emotionally and who can endure and persist through the battery of tests, challenges, and directives known as Hell Week.
Hell Week consists of sleep deprivation (maximum of four hours a night), whether or not a candidate can perform tasks under pressure, while in pain, and how well they can work with others under those parameters, just to name a few of the variables that make up Hell Week. Should a candidate feel they cannot make it through, they are to ring a bell to signify they are giving up and are no longer attempting to become a Navy SEAL; that bell never tolled for Damian Jackson.
Before Becoming a SEAL
Jackson grew up in Nevada. A self-described “bad kid”, he was not into academics. He did play baseball and soccer at Shadow Ridge High School. After graduating from Shadow Ridge High in 2010, Jackson enlisted in the Navy. He originally intended to be Navy Hospital Corpsman (a position his brother had attained). During boot camp, Damian Jackson changed his mind and decided to see if he had what it took to become a Navy SEAL
Navy Service
Jackson made it through basic underwater demolition training and completed the grueling battery of Hell Week tests to become a Navy SEAL He served two tours of duty in four years as a SEAL. More specifically, Jackson was a Lead Breacher whose job is to get through, over, or around obstacles by any means necessary, including by using explosives, if necessary.
After the Navy
Jackson felt his time as a SEAL was nearing its end. He began to think of getting a college degree and also playing college football, despite not playing a single down of high school football. Jackson began writing letters to college football teams, telling them who he was and his story. One team eventually wrote back to him: the Nebraska Cornhuskers.
Nebraska
Jackson walked on to the football team and redshirted his first season in 2017. In 2018 Jackson played in one game for the Cornhuskers. During the 2019 season, Jackson appeared in two games for Nebraska, on special teams, recording the first two tackles of his career. In 2020, Jackson’s walk-on status was changed to scholarship status. He saw time on special teams but also saw the field as an outside linebacker. For the season, Jackson recorded six tackles in five games. In what would be his final year at Nebraska, Jackson appeared in 11 games, making four tackles. Jackson also earned his bachelor’s degree in Child, Youth, and Family studies. After graduating, Jackson entered the transfer portal as a graduate transfer.
Buffalo
Jackson used his final year of NCAA eligibility to head east to the Empire State and the University of Buffalo. In his lone season for the Bulls in 2022, Jackson appeared in all 13 games. He made five starts at defensive end and had a total of five tackles on the season, including a sack against Kent State.
The NFL
Since Buffalo’s last game on December 27, 2022, Jackson has been back in the Cornhusker State, getting ready for this month’s NFL Draft…as a long snapper. Despite not playing the position in college, Jackson feels it is his best opportunity to make his dream of playing in the NFL a reality. He will not hear his name called on any of the three days of the draft, but many hope he will at least be given an opportunity to show what he can do.
Not The First
While Jackson’s story is incredible and impressive, he is not the only one with similar circumstances. Nate Boyer was a former Green Beret who (Like Jackson), never played a down of football in his life; until he walked on at the University of Texas. After two seasons of very limited action, Boyer became the Longhorns long snapper from 2012-2014. Boyer signed with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 2015. He saw action in one pre-season game and made a tackle in that game. Boyer was later cut by the Seahawks to make room for quarterback Jake Waters.
Takeaway
Damian Jackson has defied the odds on more than one occasion. If it were up to him, he would not think much of what he has accomplished, even though it is an incredible and unselfish story, to say the least. Jackson’s story is a breath of fresh air in a society where people commit crimes, hurt themselves, or do whatever else it takes to get noticed, especially on social media.
It is people like Damian Jackson who the world should look to and admire; a humble, selfless, individual whose story is one that inspires and makes people have hope. Hope that Damian Jackson is given what he deserves, which is at the least an NFL tryout. When it comes to defying the odds, not many people have done it better than Damian Jackson and there are people who still believe he can do it one more time and make an NFL roster; myself included.
Main Photo: Kirby Lee – USA Today Sports
