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Leroy Jackson

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Leroy Jackson
No. 22
PositionHalfback
Personal information
Born (1939-12-08) December 8, 1939 (age 86)
Chicago Heights, Illinois, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Listed weight198 lb (90 kg)
Career information
High schoolBloom (Chicago Heights, Illinois)
CollegeWestern Illinois
NFL draft1962: 1st round, 11th overall pick
AFL draft1962: 2nd round, 14th overall pick
Career history
Awards and highlights
Career NFL statistics
Rushing yards142
Rushing average2.7
Receptions10
Receiving yards253
Receiving touchdowns1
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Leroy Jackson (born December 8, 1939) is an American former professional football player who was a halfback for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League (NFL). He was among the first black players to play for the Redskins in 1962, who were the last NFL team to racially integrate.

Career

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Jackson was the Illinois state champion in the 100-yard dash three years in a row for Bloom High School from 1956 to 1958.

He played college football for the Western Illinois Leathernecks and is a member of the school's Athletic Hall of Fame. He was a first-round NFL draft pick of the Cleveland Browns, the 11th player selected in the 1962 draft. He was among the first black players to play for the Redskins in 1962, who were the last NFL team to racially integrate.

On December 8, 1962, his 23rd birthday, Jackson caught an 85-yard touchdown pass for the Redskins from quarterback Norm Snead in a 34–21 loss to the Baltimore Colts.[citation needed] Jackson, along with Bobby Mitchell, was traded by the Browns to the Washington Redskins in exchange for Ernie Davis in 1962.[1][additional citation(s) needed]

Personal life

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Jackson is Catholic.[2]

References

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  1. ^ Ragsdale, W. B. Jr. (January 4, 1962). "Draft Choices Clash In U.S. Bowl Contest". Jackson County Floridan. Retrieved June 20, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ "Breaking Barriers, Building Brotherhood". Knights of Columbus. Retrieved December 7, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)