Former Browns receiver Jackson dies in crash.
Receiver dies in motorcycle crash
An early morning accident claimed the lives of two people, including former National Football League receiver Michael Jackson who, after retiring from football, also served as mayor of a Louisiana village.
Louisiana State Police Senior Trooper Dustin Dwight said it happened about 1 a.m. Friday on U.S. 51, south of the Village of Tangipahoa, where Jackson held office from 2009-’12.
Dwight said the 48year-old Jackson, of Tangipahoa, was riding a motorcycle north on U.S. 51 at a high rate of speed when 20-year-old Destiny Gordon, of Kentwood, La., backed her car from a parking space across both lanes of the highway into the motorcycle’s path.
Because of the motorcycle’s speed, it penetrated the driver’s side door, killing both Jackson and Gordon, investigators said.
Jackson played eight NFL seasons with the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens from 1991-’98.
He played in college at Southern Mississippi, catching passes from future Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre.
Jackson was drafted by the Browns in the sixth round of the 1991 draft. His best season was in 1996 with the Ravens, when he caught 76 passes for 1,201 yards and a league-high 14 touchdowns. He finished his career with 353 catches for 5,393 yards and 46 touchdowns.
Former Lions great Lary dies: Yale Lary, a Hall of Fame safety who helped the Detroit Lions win three NFL titles during the 1950s, has died. He was 86.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame confirmed his death, citing information from the nine-time Pro Bowler’s family. The Lions say Lary died Friday at his home in Fort Worth, Texas.
Lary had 50 interceptions during an 11-year career that was interrupted during the mid-1950s by service in the U.S. Army. He was also a punter and kickoff returner for the Lions, averaging 44.3 yards a punt in his career.
He was enshrined into the Hall of Fame in 1979.
Peppers defends himself: Jabrill Peppers only defended his reputation on the first day of the Cleveland Browns’ rookie mini-camp
Covering wide receivers will happen soon enough.
Under scrutiny after being placed in the NFL’s drug program for a diluted urine sample taken at the scouting combine, Peppers said he has no history using illegal recreational drugs and that Cleveland doesn’t have to worry about him getting into trouble.
Peppers, drafted in the first round last month, addressed his recent failed test as Cleveland’s rookies began their threeday minicamp.
The former multi-position star at Michigan said a long-time problem with cramping caused him to drink too much water at the combine in Indianapolis, and his diluted sample was a result of him overhydrating.
Under league guidelines, a diluted sample is viewed as a positive test and therefore Peppers was automatically entered into Stage One of the substance abuse program.
Peppers won’t be suspended or face any fines, but he can be subject to further testing. As long as he stays clean, Peppers can exit the program.
He understands the diluted sample has raised suspicions about his character, but Peppers said all he can do at this point is focus on football.
“I do have a history of cramping,” he said. “I was working out for two position groups and I was informed to hydrate. I know now that too much hydration can hurt, but you know it’s not a big deal for me.”