Tyoka Jackson is a former American football defensive end who played in the National Football League (NFL) for over a decade. He was born on July 22, 1971, in Washington, D.C., and attended the University of Virginia, where he played college football for the Virginia Cavaliers.
Jackson was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the sixth round of the 1994 NFL Draft, but he was waived before the start of the regular season. He then signed with the Arizona Cardinals, where he played for three seasons from 1994 to 1996. During his time with the Cardinals, Jackson played in 44 games and recorded 10 sacks.
In 1997, Jackson signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he played for four seasons from 1997 to 2000. He was a key member of the Buccaneers' defense during this time, helping the team reach the playoffs in 1997 and 1999. In 2000, Jackson had a career-high 8.5 sacks and was named the Buccaneers' Defensive Player of the Year.
After his time with the Buccaneers, Jackson played for the St. Louis Rams from 2001 to 2003. He was part of the Rams' team that reached the Super Bowl in 2001, but they lost to the New England Patriots. Jackson played in 48 games for the Rams and recorded 7.5 sacks.
In 2004, Jackson signed with the Detroit Lions, where he played for three seasons from 2004 to 2006. He was a team captain for the Lions and played in 47 games, recording 7.5 sacks.
Overall, Jackson played in 183 NFL games over 13 seasons and recorded 58 sacks. He was known for his versatility as a defensive lineman, playing both defensive end and defensive tackle during his career. Jackson was also known for his leadership and work ethic, and he was a respected veteran in the locker room.
After retiring from the NFL, Jackson worked as a football analyst for various media outlets, including ESPN and Fox Sports. He also worked as a defensive line coach for the Tennessee Titans in 2011 and 2012.
In addition to his football career, Jackson is also known for his philanthropic work. He founded the Tyoka Jackson Youth Football Camp, which provides free football instruction and life skills training to underprivileged youth in the Washington, D.C. area. Jackson is also involved in various other charitable organizations, including the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
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