Eddie Jackson performance surrounded with insane history
Best start with the performance itself. In addition to being a continued presence against the run, Jackson showcased his opportunistic instinct. First he took a bobbled pitch by Panthers rookie Curtis Samuel back 75 yards for a touchdown to open the scoring. Then to add the icing on the cake he snagged a tipped Cam Newton pass via teammate Prince Amukamara back 76 yards for another touchdowns. Those two scored proved the difference in a 17-3 win.
Where it gets interesting is when stat maestros started looking back through NFL history for similar circumstances. Has a Bears player ever done something like this before? Yes he has, but not for over 69 years.
Eddie Jackson: 1st Bears player with 2 defensive TD in a game since 1948 (Fred Evans)
Dick Butkus & Mike Singletary combined: 1 career TD
— NFL Research (@NFLResearch) October 22, 2017
It’s also been a considerably long time since an NFL rookie has done something like this. A decade in fact according to ESPN.
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Eddie Jackson is the 1st player to return both a fumble and Int for a TD in the same game since Antonio Cromartie (SD) in 2007 Week 8
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 22, 2017
What’s most fascinating about this game though is the timing of. As it turns out October 22nd was the exact same day that Jackson injured his leg last year. The injury that knocked him out for the rest of 2016 and likely cost him a shot at going in the first round.
FS Eddie Jackson said he wasn't aware today is the first anniversary of suffering a broken leg at Alabama. "Crazy," he said.
— Rich Campbell (@Rich_Campbell) October 22, 2017
Proof positive that there is a somewhat fitting symmetry at work. The Bears have lacked a safety for years and needed somebody with first round talent. Jackson needed a defense that could showcase his skills and allow him to prove people wrong. It’s so fitting that both sides found each other, and Bears fans stand to benefit for years to come.
