Former Minnesota Viking and Seattle Seahawk quarterback Tarvaris Jackson died in a car crash near Montgomery Alabama on Sunday night.
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency reported that Jackson’s Chevrolet Camaro car left the roadway and hit a tree and turned over. He was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead. He was 36 years old.
An Alabama native, Jackson starred at Alabama State University and was drafted by the Vikings in the second round in 2006.
The quarterback played for three teams eventually retiring in 2015. Jackson’s time at Minnesota was uneven. He was 8-4 when at the helm of the Vikings in 2007 where he showed flashes of brilliance.
The following year, he was benched for Gus Frerotte but started the last few games of season in which the Vikings lost in the Wild Card playoff to Philadelphia.
The Vikings honored him on Twitter saying, “Our entire Vikings family is saddened by the news of Tarvaris Jackson being taken from us too soon. One of Tarvaris’ greatest attributes was his positive outlook and approach.
“He genuinely cared about others, was a good friend and will be missed by family, teammates, and Vikings fans everywhere.
The Seahawks organization also tweeted condolences.
Jackson spent the last years of his career in Seattle where he served as back up to starter Russell Wilson. He earned a Super Bowl ring with the team in 2014.
Judging from the social media comments, TJ, as he was known, was loved and well-respected by coaches and former teammates
The former Viking turned to coaching and was a graduate assistant at his alma mater in 2018 before being named quarterbacks coach at Tennessee State University. He is survived by his wife and three children.
His former Vikings and Seahawks teammates all had good things to say about him. “RIP Tavaris Jackson,” Chad Greenway, Jackson’s former Vikings’ teammate, tweeted. “T-Jack was one o the best teammates and friends. Drafted together in 06′ and he will be missed.”
See other social media reaction below:
