Former Buccaneers receiver Vincent Jackson found dead in Florida hotel

The NFL suffered a big loss Monday as former Buccaneers and Chargers receiver Vincent Jackson was found dead at around 11:30am ET in a hotel room in Brandon, Florida.

He was 38 years old.

According to reports and a statement from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson had been staying at a Homewood Suites since January 11. There was a missing persons report filed for Jackson several days ago, but when authorities located and spoke with Jackson they canceled the missing persons case after assessing his well-being three days ago.

According to the report, there were no signs of trauma.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Owner/Co-Chairman Bryan Glazer released a statement through the team’s communications department.

“We are shocked and saddened to hear the terrible news regarding the loss of Vincent Jackson,” Glazer said. “During his five seasons with our franchise, Vincent was a consummate professional, who took a great deal of pride in his performance on and off the football field. Vincent was a dedicated father, husband, businessman and philanthropist, who made a deep impact on our community through his unyielding advocacy for military families, supported by the Jackson in Action 83 Foundation. He was a three-time Pro Bowl selection for his accomplishments on the field, but his greatest achievements as a Buccaneer were the four consecutive nominations he earned as our Walter Payton Man of the Year. Our deepest condolences go out to his wife, Lindsey, and the entire Jackson family.”

Jackson played 12 years in the NFL, his final five seasons were spent with Tampa Bay after spending the previous seven with the San Diego Chargers. He was a three-time Pro Bowler and posted six 1,000-yard receiving seasons before he retired in 2018.

Former Tampa Bay defensive tackle Gerald McCoy also released a statement, via Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times.

“It pains me to see this happen to such a great person at such a young age,” McCoy Said. “A person who was more than a football player, he was a great husband and father who spent his life trying to help other people. Spreading love and joy and doing everything in his power to make the next man smile. Somebody I considered to be more than a teammate, he was truly a friend and one of my mentors in my young age of the NFL. My nickname for him was ‘the ultimate pro’ because he did everything right. Off the field, nutrition, taking care of his body, working out, off season, practice habits and especially on game day. He was a true example of how we should be as professionals and more importantly men. He will truly be missed!! Love you Jack!!”