Jackson plans something special for the Redblacks
Tristan Jackson knows the history.
Before he even got a call last Friday from the Ottawa Redblacks, asking him to come in and return punts and kickoffs, he knew that the third-year CFL team had never scored a special-teams touchdown.
Nothing on a kickoff return. Nothing on a punt return. Nada. Zilch.
No pressure on Jackson, though, he says he’s just going to “catch it and run” when he plays his first game for Ottawa Friday night at home vs. the Calgary Stampeders.
An eight-year CFL veteran (with Edmonton and Saskatchewan), the 30-year-old defensive back and returner talked to the Redblacks in the off-season after he was released by the Roughriders.
“I called coach (Rick) Campbell and said I wanted to be a Redblack,” said Jackson. “It didn’t work out at the time, but everything worked out like it’s supposed to. I had a good resume. A couple of guys on my team that played DB got a phone call, I didn’t get one. But I’m a big believer in God so I never questioned it. I just kept working hard. My mom, my dad and everybody was just telling me to be patient, everything would turn out like it should. I’m here now and I’m ready to contribute to the team.”
For the past few off-seasons, Jackson has worked in the Alberta oilfields in the off-season. His latest employment took him to Conklin, where he worked from November to March.
“It’s pretty tough,” he said. “It’s really a mental thing. You’re away from your family all the time, doing the same thing over and over and over. You don’t get much sleep, but it keeps the bills paid.”
With two children — six-year-old daughter Kaliyah and one-year-old son Caleb — Jackson feels blessed.
“It’s tough leaving them,” said Jackson.
“I’m going to see how everything turns out, I’m going to try and bring them out here.”