Against the Grain II
By Vaughn Wilson
The passing of longtime FAMU administrator and supporter Eddie Jackson was met with massive disappointment. His passing confirmed that he was one of the most popular figures in the Rattler community, though he never fought for popularity. He was a leader in the Rattler nation though he would shy aware from awards and notoriety. He was that old school Rattler who believed that he should do whatever necessary to support FAMU because the school was the reason for his success in life and it was his responsibility to give back.
With the hundreds of thousands of dollars the 220 Quarterback Club raised while he was at the helm, it was an unexpected support group that became a staple in the success of FAMU’s athletics programs. Head football coaches have flocked to the weekly meetings as they knew it resulted in resources for their teams.
Former FAMU head coach Willie Simmons was one of the most notable coaches who appreciated Jackson’s efforts. He was stunned at Jackson’s passing though he knew his health had been diminishing. Jackson and Simmons had an extra special bond that was evident in their banter at the meetings.
Simmons paid Jackson the ultimate show of respect. During a football game last season, it was planned to honor Jackson on the field. With his mobility issues, the university decided to honor him in the end zone in order to reduce his travel distance. The honor was between quarters at an important game. Simmons would toss down his headset on the sideline and jog to the end zone to be by Jackson’s side at the acknowledgement. It is truly unprecedented for a coach in the middle of a crucial game to allow anything to distract him from coaching his team, but to him, Jackson was that important.
On Monday, we laid Jackson to rest after a four-year bout with cancer. He fought the good fight as is often said. The fruits of the years of him and wife Jerrlyne assembling the 220 Quarterback Club had been a part of the support that allowed Simmons to lead the team to the HBCU national championship. It was the first national football championship won on the field in 45 years.
Now the 220 Quarterback Club must persevere. FAMUans expect to be in the run for a national championship and conference championship again this year. With the departure of Simmons, James Colzie III has taken the reigns. In doing so he is not reinventing the wheel. The team will have Colzie’s stamp on it, but will not depart from major methodologies that brought the team to the championship this year and was developed over the last six years.
Dr. Jerrlyne Jackson was a driving force behind her husband. Those of us who were familiar with the situation know that she was heavily involved in all of the decisions for the 220 Quarterback Club and was instrumental in executing many of them with Jackson’s failing health. She will be instrumental in taking part in an organizational restructure, but the motive and methods must remain consistent.
The trust in the 220 Quarterback Club over its existence has been based on one simple principle…the group delivers. The 220 Quarterback Club was not involved in opinions, charges to the university or administrators, or any other type of rhetoric. It was there to raise money so that the athletic director, coaches, staff, and players had as much of what they needed to win as possible. It worked with the Rattler Boosters, FAMU National Alumni Association, National Rattler “F” Club, and FAMU Foundation in partnership with several initiatives. Still, the group remained consistent and independent, not allowing any negativity to cloud its mission and for that reason many in the Rattler nation who had never set foot in a weekly luncheon had respect for the group.
