Hall of Fame

Harold Jackson

  • Class
  • Induction
    1995
  • Sport(s)
    Football
  • Jackson State
Early Life & College
  • Harold Jackson was born January 6, 1946, in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
  • He attended Jackson State College (now Jackson State University) where he played college football from 1965–1967.
  • At Jackson State:
    • He earned a degree in secondary education in 1968.
    • He was also a sprinting champion and recorded a best time of about 9.3 seconds in the 100-yard dash.
NFL Playing Career
  • He was selected in the 12th round of the 1968 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams.
  • His playing career spanned from 1968 to 1983, with stints at:
    • Los Angeles Rams
    • Philadelphia Eagles
    • New England Patriots
    • Minnesota Vikings
    • Seattle Seahawks
  • Highlights & statistics:
    • Five-time Pro Bowl selection.
    • First-team All-Pro in 1973; second-team All-Pro in 1972 and 1977.
    • He led the NFL in receiving yards twice, and in touchdown receptions in one season.
    • Career totals: 579 receptions, 10,372 receiving yards, 76 receiving touchdowns.
  • Notable game: In October 1973 (playing for the Rams) he caught 7 passes for 238 yards and 4 touchdowns against the Dallas Cowboys.
Coaching Career
  • After retiring as a player, Jackson transitioned to coaching, including:
    • Wide receivers coach in the NFL (e.g., New England Patriots, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New Orleans Saints)
    • College coaching stints (e.g., at Baylor University, Kentucky Wildcats)
  • Head coaching:
    • On January 13, 2014, he was hired as head football coach at Jackson State University.
    • His contract reportedly was for three years at about $260,000 per year.
    • First season (2014): The team went 5-7 overall, 3-6 in conference play.
    • In 2015 his tenure ended early: He was relieved of duties on October 6, 2015, after a 1-4 start to the season.