MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Representative Ford

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING JARIOUS JACKSON FOR HIS OUTSTANDING FOOTBALL CAREER.

WHEREAS, Jarious Jackson, a native of Tupelo, Mississippi, was the starting quarterback and sole captain for the University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish for the 1999 season; and

WHEREAS, during his high school career, Jarious Jackson, a young man with remarkable athletic ability, played quarterback, defensive back and outside linebacker in football for three years, played as a forward in basketball for one year and ran track as a sprinter for two years; and

WHEREAS, Jarious Jackson earned numerous honors for his outstanding performance on the football field including his selection to the prep All-American teams by SuperPrep, Prep Football Report and Bluechip Illustrated; his rank of sixth nationally among quarterbacks by Bluechip Illustrated and 10th nationally by SuperPrep; and his selection to the Mississippi-Alabama All-Star game; and

WHEREAS, as a senior and starting quarterback for Tupelo High School, Jarious Jackson accounted for 2,100 yards of total offense, completing 54 of 134 passes for 880 yards and seven touchdowns and rushing for more than 850 yards; and

WHEREAS, having been recruited by the legendary Lou Holtz, Jarious Jackson attended the University of Notre Dame after graduating from Tupelo High School; and

WHEREAS, in 1999, Jarious Jackson was the starting quarterback for the Fighting Irish, breaking the Notre Dame single-season records with 2,753 passing yards and total offense with a total of 3,217 yards previously held by Joe Theismann from 1970; and

WHEREAS, in addition, Jarious Jackson completed 184 of 316 passes, which is another single-season record, and finished with 4,503 career passing yards, good for fourth on the all-time Notre Dame list; and

WHEREAS, Jarious Jackson received recognition and honors for his exceptional talent as a football player, such as honorable mention by the 1999 football All-American honors from Football News, Irish Most Valuable Player by his teammates in 1999, one of 15 semifinalists for the 1999 Football News Offensive Player of the Year Award, one of 25 candidates for The Davey O'Brien Foundation National Quarterback Award, and selection to the All-Star Gridiron Classic; and

WHEREAS, after graduating from the University of Notre Dame with a degree in Business Administration with emphasis in Marketing, Jarious Jackson was selected by the Denver Broncos in the seventh round of the 2000 NFL Draft; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and commend excellence, especially when evidenced by remarkable athletes such as Jarious Jackson:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Jarious Jackson for his outstanding football career and extend heartiest wishes for success in all his future athletic endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Jarious Jackson and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.