Vincent Jackson, the 38 year old former wide receiver of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and San Diego Chargers was found dead in a hotel room on Monday, Feb. 14, just days after his family reported him missing. He first checked in more than a month ago and while his death is still being investigated, members of his family have told investigators that his early alcohol abuse and lingering effects of concussions he sustained in the 12 years he played in the National Football League might have played a role. 

    After he retired from his football career in 2016, Jackson was looking forward to the new job opportunities he could pursue. He founded a real estate company, owned several restaurants, worked on restoring a historic event venue, went back to school and earned a business degree, and he helped run a charitable foundation. He also spent a lot of time with his wife and four kids and was known to be truly happy in his post-football life. 

   “He wasn’t sad when he retired. He just kind of wanted to move on and explore other things” Jackson’s business partner Adam Itzkowitz told USA TODAY Sports during an interview. 

    His death comes as quite a shock considering his age and great health. Many of his former teammates have told reporters that they are truly saddened by the news. He was beloved by many for his positive attitude, infectious laugh and generosity. He was the Buccaneers’ nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award four times during his five years with the team. 

   “If that’s not an indication of what kind of man he was, then I don’t know what is,” former teammate, Gerald McCoy, told USA TODAY Sports.

     Tampa Bay is taking the news very deeply as he was very well known person in the community as a business leader and philanthropist; he was also named an honorary deputy by the sheriff’s office, honorary commander by a local Air Force Base and Tampa’s “Citizen of the Year” in 2017 by the South Tampa Chamber of Commerce. All of his friends and business partners agreed that he was an upstanding citizen and full of generosity for others. 

   “He was a great businessman. He was a great citizen of our community. And more importantly, he was a humble and giving soul. You don’t come across people like that,” said Mario Frías, another business partner. 

    He proved to be incredibly ambitious when he retired by immediately involving himself in the restaurant and real estate industry while going back to college for his bachelor’s degree in business management from the University of South Florida and spending time with his family.

   “He had a lot of things going, a lot of irons in the fire,” Itzkowitz said to USA Today Sports. “I never suspected that there was any type of issue with him, post-football career, with losing a sense of purpose. In fact, it was the opposite.”

   He also founded the Jackson In Action 83 Foundation, a nonprofit organization he created to provide emotional and educational support for the children of military members, which was personal to himself as both his parents served in the military. Itzkowitz said Jackson was “always upbeat” and “always looking ahead,” in an interview with USA Today Sports. 

     Jackson’s family is devastated by the news and are anxious for answers about his passing, they stated to the press that his death has left “a hole in our hearts that can never be filled.” They also expressed that instead of sending flowers to express condolences, people donate to his nonprofit organization to continue his work and commitment to help others. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him and remembered as a caring, ambitious man who always lifted people’s spirits. 

     Frías remembers a man whose personality was larger than life.

    “He could’ve been a brick mason and I don’t think it would’ve changed who he was,” Frías said.