Riley a sudden starter motivated by loss of Army buddy

FLORHAM PARK » Elijah Riley’s journey back home — and through the NFL — began with one of the saddest moments of his young life.

The New York Jets safety was a freshman defensive back at Army five years ago when he received the stunning news his teammate and buddy Brandon Jackson had died.

“He’s still kind of a motivation for me, and I hold him near and dear to me,” Riley said Wednesday. “That’s my guy.”

Jackson died in a single-car accident in Croton, New York, on Sept. 11, 2016, just a few hours after helping the Black Knights beat Rice in their second game of the season.

The two had become fast friends, bonded by their New York roots: Riley from Port Jefferson, and Jackson from Queens. Jackson, a sophomore, helped Riley on his official visit to West Point.

“When I got there, he was somebody that I spoke to, who I could relate to,” Riley recalled. “And he was, you know, somebody I was able to look up to when I got there and was out there practicing and stuff.”

Then, Jackson was suddenly gone.

And Riley had to step in as the starter, replacing his friend after mourning him.

“It was tough,” Riley said. “It was like, ‘Well, I’ve got to do what he would’ve done. I’ve just got to continue on and play the role that’s been given to me.’ And my teammates at Army, we rallied around each other.”

The Black Knights went 8-5 under Jeff Monken, beating Navy for the first time since 2001 and defeating North Texas in overtime in the Heart of Dallas Bowl.

“Twenty-eight was with us the whole way,” Riley said with a smile. “Brandon Jackson was with us the whole time.”

Still is.

The header on Riley’s Twitter page features a photo of Jackson in his Army football helmet and pads, symbolically keeping tabs on his friend as he developed into a star on the field and one of the team’s leaders — while pursuing his NFL dream.

“Regardless of the barriers that were put in place, that didn’t change this being my ultimate goal,” Riley said. “So as a result, my work ethic didn’t change whether it was West Point or Alabama, I’m approaching it the same every day.”