Kenny Jackson (born February 15, 1962) is an American former professional football player. He played wide receiver for eight seasons in the National Football League (NFL) with the Philadelphia Eagles and Houston Oilers and was twice named a college All-American at Penn State University (1982 and 1983).

Early life

Jackson grew up in South River, New Jersey and was a highly recruited athlete out of South River High School, where he excelled in football, basketball, baseball, and track. The school retired his #21 football jersey in October 1994. Jackson was inducted into the New Jersey Sports Writers Association Hall of Fame in 1996.

Career

College

Jackson was Penn State's first All-American wide receiver. By his senior year in 1983, he held 27 school records. He still ranks second in career receiving yards among Nittany Lions with 2,006. He enjoyed his best season in 1982 when he hauled in 41 passes for 697 yards and seven touchdowns en route to Penn State's first National Championship.

Professional career

Jackson was the first round pick (#4 overall) of the Philadelphia Eagles in the 1984 NFL draft. He enjoyed an eight-year career in the NFL with the Eagles and Houston Oilers. He finished his professional career with 126 receptions for 2,170 yards and 11 touchdowns. Jackson announced his retirement after the 1987 season to run Kenny's Korner, a deli in Camden, New Jersey. He re-signed with the Eagles during the 1988 season.

Coaching

Jackson served on the coaching staff at his alma mater for eight seasons, coaching Penn State's wide receivers from 1993 to 2000. There he helped develop future NFL players Bobby Engram, Freddie Scott, and Joe Jurevicius. He served as an assistant coach with the Pittsburgh Steelers from 2001 to 2003.

Broadcasting

Jackson is a sideline reporter for the Big Ten Network.

Personal life

Jackson and former NFL running back Blair Thomas are partners in a chain of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania-area sports bars called KoKoMos. In April 2008, Jackson and seven other former NFL players traveled to the Middle East to visit with troops and coach them in the USO's Operation Gridiron: Huddle with the Troops, a flag football tournament for service personnel serving overseas.