Turning Up The Heat: 12 more politicians ask NCAA to reconsider FSU DL Darrell Jackson's eligibility
Political heavyweights from the state of Florida are ramping up the pressure on the NCAA to provide relief for ineligible Florida State defensive tackle Darrell Jackson.
First it was a letter last week from U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio. Then it was a second letter sent Wednesday by Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis.
Now on Thursday, a dozen members of the Florida Congressional delegation signed a bi-partisan letter asking NCAA President Charlie Baker to intervene and rule that Jackson be cleared to play for the 2023 season.
“We express concern that during a time of unprecedented change in college sports that the organization charged with the well being and lifelong success of college athletes would provide a ruling that is self-evidently contradictory to its own mission statement,” the latest letter states. “We echo Senator Marco Rubio’s recent letter that this decision sends the wrong message to our student athletes who choose to put family first when dealing with the health crisis of a loved one.
“We therefore urge that you reconsider Darrell’s hardship waiver, and we respectfully look forward to your prompt response.”
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The letter was authored by U.S. Congressmen Michael Waltz and Neal P. Dunn, and it was co-signed by Representatives Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Darren Soto, Cory Mills, Maria Salazar, Carlos Gimenez, Byron Donalds, Laurel Lee, Jared Moskowitz, Kat Cammack and Daniel Webster.
Jackson, who started his college career at Maryland and played last season at Miami before transferring to FSU in January, has been denied a waiver request from the NCAA to compete for the Seminoles this fall.
The basis of Jackson’s waiver request was his desire to be closer to his mother, Lisa Jackson, who is dealing with health issues. She lives in Quincy, Fla., which is just outside of Tallahassee and where he played high school football.
Thursday’s letter pointed out that the NCAA decided to begin tightening the requirements on two-time transfers in January, only after Jackson had already enrolled at Florida State.
“The NCAA’s decision to deny Darrell’s request punishes athletes for supporting their families,” the Congressmen wrote. “We ask that you reconsider Darrell’s hardship wavier due to the aforementioned circumstances.”
Jackson, who was expected to compete for a starting position with the Seminoles this fall, is still practicing with the team.
“He’s part of this football team,” Florida State defensive tackles coach Odell Haggins said after Thursday’s practice. “He’s part of our family.”
Fellow defensive tackle Joshua Farmer, who played with Jackson at nearby Gadsden County High, said Thursday he’s hopeful the NCAA will change its ruling.
“I think it’s a good chance they overturn it,” Farmer said of the politicians’ efforts. “I hope so. I would like to play with him. … He’s mentally tough. He’s out here every day practicing very hard. If you didn’t know, you wouldn’t know. He’s going every day like there’s nothing wrong.”
Jackson, who is listed at 6-foot-5 and 326 pounds, recorded 27 tackles, three sacks and 4.5 tackles for loss last season for the Miami Hurricanes.
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