Tom Jackson (American football)

Thomas Louie "Tom" Jackson, also referred to as "TJ" or "Tommy", (born April 4, 1951) is an NFL analyst for ESPN and a former linebacker for the Denver Broncos, where he was part of the so-called "Orange Crush Defense".

College
Tom Jackson attended the University of Louisville, where he was coached by current college football analyst Lee Corso. During his college career, he was a two-time Missouri Valley Conference player of the year selection.

Professional
Tom Jackson was selected by the Denver Broncos in the 1973 NFL Draft. He enjoyed a 14-year career in Denver where he was a three-time Pro Bowl selection, a two-time All-Pro selection, and was voted Denver's Most Inspirational Player six times by his teammates. He also assisted the team to Championship appearances in Super Bowl XII and Super Bowl XXI. Jackson was one of only four players to play for the Broncos in both of the aforementioned Super Bowls, played 9 years apart. Jackson finished his career with 20 interceptions, which he returned for 340 yards and 3 touchdowns, and 8 fumble recoveries, which he returned for 104 yards. He also recorded 13 sacks (with a season high 5-1/2) as a weak-side blitzer in Denver's 3-4 defense according to Broncos records. Jackson ranks third only to Jason Elam and John Elway on the team's all-time list of games played with 191.

Jackson published Blitz: An Autobiography in 1987 which focused on his career with the Broncos. The book was written with long-time Denver Post sports columnist Woody Paige.

In 1992, Jackson became the 14th person inducted in the Broncos' Ring of Fame.

Broadcasting career
In 1987, Jackson joined ESPN studios where he was teamed with Chris Berman on the network's signature NFL shows, NFL Countdown and NFL Primetime. Sunday NFL Countdown, the weekly Sunday morning pre-game show and has won seven Sports Emmy awards for Outstanding Studio Show—Weekly (1988, 1991, 1994, 1995, 2001, 2003 and 2007 seasons). On Monday Night Countdown, Jackson hosted the segment "Jacked Up!," which featured five hits from the previous day's games. The show's hosts recited the title phrase as they watched some of the most punishing hits inflicted by players on the field.

Jackson's pre-ESPN broadcasting experience included co-host positions for both "Broncos Beat," a weekly show on KCNC-TV in Denver, Colorado and a post-game show on KUSA-TV. He had also hosted a daily syndicated sports commentary radio show, "Behind the Line."

In 1995 Jackson appeared in the Eggheads episode of the American science fiction television series Sliders playing a football color commentator during the Mindgame scenes.

Personal
Jackson resides in Cincinnati, Ohio with his wife Jennifer and their two daughters, Taylor and Morgan. He also had a daughter Andrea Jackson who died on August 7, 1997, at the age of nine in a car accident.