Travis Clark began training many years ago.
“Since he was seven,” the Santa Monica High football coach recalls.
Jackson, who played at Long Beach Poly High and the University of California, is now a National Football league star with the Philadelphia Eagles. On Friday, March 19, he came to Samohi, where a documentary is being filmed about his life.
Jackson met with the Samohi football team.
The connection between Clark and Jackson is so strong that Jackson was on the sidelines the night Norm Lacy coached Samohi to the 2001 CIF championship. Film is available of that evening and will be part of the documentary.
Clark was an assistant coach on Lacy’s staff. As the current Samohi athletic director Lacy hired Clark to be the head coach prior to last season.
On Friday, the camera crew followed Jackson’s steps and the principal players wore microphomes.
Jackson was drafted in the second round by the Eagles in 2008. It was a year when no wide receiver was selected in the first round.
In 2009 Jackson’s father, Bill, died of pancreatic cancer and Jackson dedicated the season to him.
In 2010, Jackson was chosen for the Pro Bowl as both a wide receiver and kick returner.
MITCH CHORTKOFF
Mirror Sports Editorsports@smmirror.com
