Tanard Jackson

Tanard Ricardo Jackson (born July 21, 1985) is an American football safety for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fourth round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Syracuse.

Early years
Jackson played high school football at Bullis School in Potomac, Maryland where he played running back and defensive back. During his senior year he was named the team's MVP after totaling 1,132 rushing yards, 15 touchdowns, four interceptions, 78 tackles, and two sacks. He finished his career with 252 tackles, a school record 19 interceptions, 3,121 rushing yards, and 39 total touchdowns.

College career
Jackson played his college football at Syracuse University. During his senior season he was earned All-Big East Conference second-team honors. He finished his career with 165 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 8.5 tackles for loss, and five interceptions

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jackson was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fourth round of the 2007 NFL Draft. Although he played cornerback while at Syracuse, the Bucs converted him to a free safety. He started all 16 games during his rookie season, recording 56 tackles, and two interceptions.

On September 22, 2010, he was suspended indefinitely by the NFL for a violation of their substance abuse policy. Because the suspension was Tanard's second violation (he missed the first four games in the previous season due to a violation), he was declared ineligible for reinstatement until September 22, 2011, ending his season after two games and 13 tackles. He was reinstated on the 11th of October 2011.

On October 14, he was placed on the Buccaneers active roster. He made his first 2011 Season debut on Sunday October 16, 2011 against the New Orleans Saints Jackson got a pick in his first game against the Saints at home during week 6 of the 2011 season. He later got a pick in the second game which was week 7 against the bears in London after not playing football for 56 weeks of suspension.

Jackson was released by the Buccaneers on April 10, 2012 after he failed to pass a physical.

Washington Redskins
Jackson signed with the Washington Redskins on April 13, 2012. At the start of the training camp, he was placed on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list due to a calf injury. On July 30, 2012, he was cleared by a doctor to practice and taken off the PUP list. On August 31, 2012, Jackson was suspended indefinitely for violating the league's substance policy, and will be eligible for reinstatement on August 31, 2013.

Personal
Raised in Maryland, Jackson grew up watching the Washington Redskins. It wasn't until 2012 that he would finally be able to play for the football team that he grew up rooting for.