Jackson is the embodiment of Nebraska Football.
What a ride it has been for Nebraska Football defensive lineman Damian Jackson. The sophomore was a Navy SEAL. Now, he is a Blackshirt, receiving the honor on Tuesday .The Blackshirt is quite the honor for a person who has experienced so much in life.
After playing in one game as a redshirt freshman last season, he has played in one game as a sophomore. Nevertheless, there is no doubt he has talent. During the spring game, he impressed. Now, it’s about him getting the opportunity. The Blackshirt honor is certainly a great first step for him.
I’m excited to see how he develops for Nebraska Football over the next couple of years. He is a tough football player who is not afraid to work hard. Between him and Garrett Nelson, the Blackshirt honors were well-deserved. I hate to keep going back to this, but these types of gritty players getting Blackshirts can only bode well for the future of the program.
I can only imagine the sacrifices and physical challenges he had to face as a Navy SEAL. They probably are so much tougher in comparison to the types of things he has faced on the football field. As he continues to make his mark on the Nebraska Football program, he has already accomplished so much off the field. This must be such a thrilling honor for him. He’s a guy that probably will not make headlines, but he is not afraid to get in the trenches and play hard.
Damian Jackson has a Blackshirt. #Huskers
— Derek Peterson (@dr_petey) November 12, 2019
To me, Blackshirts are more than just players who work hard defensively. They are also players who embody what it means to be a part of the football program. Jackson is certainly somebody that I would want Nebraska to emulate. He has had to work hard to get where he is. Now, he is seeing some of his hard work pay off.
He has also worked hard in the classroom. He was a Nebraska Scholar-Athlete Honor Roll member in the Fall of 2017 and the Springs of 2017 and 2019. In addition, he was also an Armed Forces Award finalist in 2019.
It’s exciting that he was able to get a Blackshirt on Tuesday. He certainly deserves it. Hopefully, he can continue to carry the same kind of chip on his shoulder. In what has been a trying season for the entire program, Jackson has certainly been a bright spot due to his work ethic and resilience. Hopefully, I write about him more in the future. I will certainly be following his progress on and off the field.