Dexter Jackson, Super Bowl MVP to speak at Riverview High's Night of Champions

Former Super Bowl Most Valuable Player Dexter Jackson will be the guest speaker for the Riverview Rams Football Night of Champions 6 p.m. Aug. 12 the Grove Ballroom, 10670 Boardwalk Loop in Lakewood Ranch.

There will be a cocktail reception and cash bar at 6 p.m. followed by dinner at 7 p.m., as well as a silent auction and wine pull.

Jackson, a former Florida State University standout, recorded two interceptions for Tampa Bay in Super Bowl XXXVII against the Oakland Raiders in San Diego. He was the first safety and third defensive back to win a Super Bowl MVP.

Speaking engagements

Jackson has been on the speaking circuit for years.

He learned by listening.

“It just came with experience,” Jackson said. “It started in small venues and eventually worked my way up. I felt like it’s something that was given to me. I have a platform now to address people to get their attention. I’ve always worked with young people.”

Jackson knows the idea is to acquire the attention of his audience and keep it. That is why he limits the time of his speeches.

“Now I have something to kick their front door open and grasp them for 15, 20 minutes. They have short attention spans,” he said. “For 15, 20 minutes, I feel like I can give them something.”

Jackson used to write things he wanted to say. Now he does it by feel.

“I hate to sound robotic. So many people sound robotic when they speak,” Jackson said. “I just know young people don’t want to hear a robot; they want to hear genuinity.”

His speeches are not limited to high school football players. On Aug. 8 Jackson is speaking to the teachers at Bloomingdale High School in Valrico.

“It’s a different message. It’s more upbeat,” Jackson said. “Encourage them as well. Students spend more time with the teachers than their own family.”

From a small school to making it big

Jackson attended Shanks High School in Quincy, Florida.

“Very small,” he said.

Twitter did not exist when Jackson was a senior in high school in 1995. He allowed his performance to promote himself.

“I didn’t need all that,” he said. “When you think you’re good, you talk about yourself. When you’re good, other people talk about you.”

His self promotion came on Shanks’ Corry Field, but it did not come easily.

“In order to change that, I used to want to go against who people say were elite,” Jackson said. “I used to shut them down and play well against them. That’s how I got recognition.”

Jackson is not a fan of the college super teams and players transferring to a perennial powerhouse.

“Now everybody wants to run and play on the same team,” he said. “Why would I want to bring you here if I’ve never seen you play against any good competition? How do you play when the odds are not in your favor?”

Jackson coached college football for six seasons. He was the defensive backs coach at Alabama State with Reggie Barlow, a former Tampa Bay Buccaneer and current head coach of the DC Defenders of the XFL and coached at Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta.

“People would show me their highlights,” Jackson said. “I said don’t show me your highlights. Everybody has highlights. Show me you playing against someone who’s considered a 4-star or 5-star. And I want to see the whole game. I don’t want to see the highlights.

“I review kids differently. I want to see what kind of person you are on the sidelines. Are you coachable? Are you lifting your teammates up? If you are behind, what kind of character do you display? That’s what I look for.”

Personal stuff

Turning 46 on July 28, the 6-foot, 210-pound Jackson works as the Youth and Recreation Manager for the Tampa Housing Authority.

Some of the people he interacts with there do not know his background or the fact he was a Super Bowl MVP.

“It comes up. Today I had someone tell me ‘You’re just so humble. You talk to everybody.’ ” Jackson said. “It doesn’t define who I am; it’s just a part of who I am. It comes up, but I just don’t tell people. People find out.”

Jackson learned not only football but also life lessons from two of the best: Coach Bobby Bowden at Florida State and Buccaneers coach Tony Dungy after being a fourth-round draft pick, 113th overall by Tampa Bay in the 1999 NFL Draft.

“What better two men to show you what it looks like to be a philanthropist in the community and giving back,” Jackson said. “It’s all about who you surround yourself with and who’s empowering you to be successful after you’ve been forward.”

Jackson had two stints with the Buccaneers (1999-2002 and 2004-05) and also played in the NFL with Arizona (2003) and Cincinnati (2006-08).

He recorded 457 tackles, 17 interceptions, 5 sacks, forced 5 fumbles and had 5 fumble recoveries.

Jackson still speaks with many of his former teammates.

He keeps his Super Bowl ring in a safe spot, but brings it out on special occasions. Jackson even will bring it to the Riverview Night of Champions.

“I’ll bring it,” he said. “I’ll be happy to bring it.”

Jackson and his wife Tina have four daughters: Jasmine, Daisia, Meah and Taylor. All are or were former athletes.

Jasmine played soccer at the University of Tampa. Daisia ran track at North Carolina A&T. Meah and Taylor are track athletes at Wharton High.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Super Bowl MVP, ex-Buc Dexter Jackson to speak at Riverview High event