Image Gallery of Defensive End Rich Jackson

One of the four original Denver Bronco Ring of Famers who were inducted in 1984 and was recognized for his six outstanding seasons with the Broncos from 1967-72.
He was considered by many as the best defensive end in professional football during his prime.

Known as “Tombstone,” Jackson was the first Bronco to be named to the All-NFL first team in 1970. His 43 sacks as a Bronco were the most by any player in club history at the conclusion of his career. He entered the AFL in 1966 with Oakland, playing in five games, before spending the next six seasons with Denver after the Broncos acquired him in a trade. Jackson posted his career high in quarterback sacks in 1969 with 11 and had 10 sacks in both ‘68 and ‘70. He was voted All-AFL in 1968 and ‘69 and NFL All-Pro in 1970.

Tabbed the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame Pro Athlete of the Year in 1970, Jackson played the first four games of the 1972 season with the Broncos before being traded to Cleveland for a 1973 third-round draft choice. He played in the final 10 games for the Browns in 1972 – his final NFL season. He was a standout end at Southern University on both sides of the ball and also was the NAIA shot-put champion.

Image Gallery of Rich Jackson, Defensive End, 1966-1972

Rich Jackson, along with fellow Bronco defenders Pete Duranko and Paul Smith, congregate over a fallen Len Dawson. If sacks would have been tracked in 1970, the Broncos would have been #2 in the newly merged league with 50 - Paul Smith led Denver with 11½, Jackson had 10 and Duranko, 7.

Rich Jackson of the Denver Broncos. With the nickname "Tombstone" Jackson was one of most intimidating players of his day. It's said he once cracked an opposing players helmet with head-slap.

Rookie Terry Bradshaw takes off running against Dave Costa (#63), Rich Jackson (#87) and the Denver Broncos defense here in 1970. Bradshaw had a rough start to his NFL career completing only 38% of his passes and throwing only 6 touchdowns in 8 starts. He also led the NFL in interceptions and was sacked 25 times.

Chiefs and Broncos, 1970. Kansas City quarterback Len Dawson readies to throw as Denver All Pro defensive end Rich Jackson moves in.

"Unofficially" credited with 45 sacks in his 8 year NFL career.

Here he puts pressure on Jets Great Joe Namath. He was awarded the game ball for his performance against Namath and the Jets in the 1969 upset of the eventual World Champions. He had 2 sacks that game.

A standout football player and track star at Southern University he joined the Raiders in 1965 as a linbacker. In 1966 he was traded to Denver for veteran receiver Lionel Taylor. Taylor never played a down for Oakland but Jackson became one of the most tenacious defensive lineman of his time. All-AFL in 1968 and 1969, All-NFL in 1970 and a Pro Bowler in 1971.

A standout football player and track star at Southern University he joined the Raiders in 1965 as a linebacker. In 1966 he was traded to Denver for veteran receiver Lionel Taylor. Taylor never played a down for Oakland but Jackson became one of the most tenacious defensive lineman of his time. All-AFL in 1968 and 1969, All-NFL in 1970 and a Pro Bowler in 1971.

One of the four original Denver Bronco Ring of Famers who were inducted in 1984. Considered by many as the best defensive end in professional football during his prime. Named All-AFL in 1968 and 1969 as well as All-NFL in 1970. He posted his career high in quarterback sacks in 1969 with 11. Had 10 sacks in both 1968 and 1970. Made the Pro Bowl again in 1971 despite only playing in 7 games after suffering a knee injury which eventually led to his early retirement from professional football. Ended his 7-year career as Denver's All-Time Leading Sacker with 43 sacks.

3 time All-Pro for the Denver Broncos. Originally drafted by the Raiders in 1966 as a linebacker he was traded to Denver where he was switched to defensive end where he was instantly transformed into one the AFL's best defensive lineman ever.

The self-proclaimed inventor of the "Head Slap". Legend has it he once head slapped an opposing Green Bay Packer lineman so hard he cracked the helmet.

A battle of AFL Legends. Chargers Hall of Famer Ron Mix squares off against Denver Broncos Great Rich Jackson.

Rich Jackson Football Trading Cards

Rich Jackson featured here on his 1973 Topps card as a Brown - Denver had been traded the year before. Unfortunately hampered by injuries, he was released by Cleveland before the season began.

Rich Jackson All Time Career Statistics

Career Defensive Totals
Season	Age	Team	#	Pos	Games	Starts	Sacks	Safeties
1966	25	OAK	32	LB	5	0	0.0	0
1967	26	DEN	87	RDE	14	14	4.5	1♦
1968*+	27	DEN	87	LDE	14	13	10.5	0
1969*+	28	DEN	87	LDE	14	14	12.5	0
1970*+	29	DEN	87	LDE	14	14	10.0	0
1971	30	DEN	87	LDE	7	7	3.5	0
1972	31	2 Teams	87	LDE	14	9	4.0	0
1972		DEN	87	DE	4	4	2.0	0
1972		CLE	87	LDE	10	5	2.0	0
6 Years		Broncos	87	67	66	43.0	1	1
1 Year		Browns	87	10	5	2.0	0	0
1 Year		Raiders	32	5	0	0.0	0	0
7 Year		NFL		82	71	45.0	1	1