Seminole Scrapbook: Former CB Bobby Jackson set to graduate 42 years after leaving FSU

Bobby Jackson was an unequivocal success in football. 

He enjoyed outstanding careers at Florida State (1974-77) and in the NFL with the New York Jets (1978-85).

Jackson was a winner. He set records. And he will forever be remembered – Jackson was voted into the FSU Athletics Hall of Fame in 1993 and was selected by website Fansided.com to the “All-Time Jet Team” as one of the top three cornerbacks in the history of the organization. 

“I still didn’t feel complete,” Jackson said. “I always felt like something was missing from my college experience.”

Jackson will close that important circle Saturday, when the 62-year-old graduates from FSU – 42 years after playing for the Seminoles.

Jackson, who signed with FSU out of Albany High in Albany, Georgia, is proof a person can make up for lost time. In fact, Jackson actually re-enrolled at FSU following his rookie season with the Jets. However, this and that interfered, and he never attended class

Jackson instead attended the life-experience route.

Jackson was named the Jets defensive captain in the 1981 season. The sixth-round selection finished his eight-year career with 21 interceptions over 95 games. 

Jackson has been just as successful off the field.

He coaches high school football at Chaminade High in Mineola, New York, 30 miles from New York City, and remains involved in camps. His seven children (five girls, two boys) have grown into successful adults. In fact, both of his sons played college football and were All-Americans - Robert Thomas at Hofstra and Ashun Jackson at Tuskegee. Jackson has six grandchildren, including one with Tally ties. Chase Gillespie is a rising sophomore running back at Chiles.

Jackson respects and appreciates each day and is strong in his faith. 

Still, Jackson felt a void when he visited FSU, his daughter in Tallahassee and his childhood hometown in Georgia. This from a prime time player considered one of the finest cornerbacks in Seminole history. The 5-foot-11, 185-pound speedster was a four-year starter. He set the career interception record at the time with 10 and doubled as an electric punt returner with a 45.3-yard average, also a school record at the time. 

“There were always a couple things I missed about school when I looked back,” Jackson said. “I didn’t go to my homecoming dance my senior year (in high school). I didn’t got to my high school graduation because I went to FSU early. I never got a class headshot (at FSU).

“You can’t go back to recapture those moments in your life.”

Yet, Jackson was determined to create new moments in his life. And prove a person is never too old for school and never too old to learn. 

Jackson, who will participate in FSU’s graduation ceremonies Saturday, credits former Seminole teammate and good friend Bobby Butler for encouraging him to earn his FSU degree. Butler graduated from FSU in 2017 – 37 years after his playing days.

“We talked about it and I told him, ‘Man, you need to do it.’ And I am so happy he did,” said Butler, who plans to attends this weekend’s ceremony to support Jackson. “It’s not easy. I was not computer savvy at all. I told Bobby if I could do it, he could do it. He showed a lot of determination and I am so happy for him.”

Like Butler, Jackson initially found life as an online college student difficult. He had to relearn how to study, carve out time and navigate computer systems. He even had to take an online course at the University of Florida and transfer the credits since the course wasn’t offered at FSU.

“I was a Gator-Nole for a semester, but am a full Seminole for life,” Jackson said and laughed.

The three-year process to earn his Social Science degree expects to be an emotional celebration, one that will connect generations. 

“The hardest part was getting back into a routine, making it a priority no matter what was going on in your life,” Jackson said. “For me for the longest time, I would read, read, read and the information wouldn’t stick. But you get into a routine and get it done. I am going to have a lot of family and friends in attendance (Saturday). 

"We are going to have a big party."  

Graduating from college is a personal choice – not a prerequisite for a job or success in the NFL, for that matter. Jackson, however, made it a priority in his life.

Even after all these decades.

“I am walking,” Jackson said of Saturday’s ceremony at the Civic Center. “I didn’t do this to get a piece of paper in the mail.”

Editor's Note: Jackson's New York home suffered fire damage Sunday morning. The fire started in the garage and was caused by an electrical short, according to Jackson. Jackson's father-in-law was the only person in the home at the time and was unharmed. Jackson, who was working a football camp in Connecticut, said neighbors saw the fire and alerted the fire department. The fire was contained to the garage of Jackson's home. 

"The devil is trying to spoil my (graduation) party but that won't happen," Jackson said with a laugh Monday morning. "I might do a backflip on stage." 

Reach Jim Henry at jjhenry@tallahassee.com