Former C-F-L defensive back and kick returner Tristan Jackson signed a one-day contract this morning with the Saskatchewan Roughriders…then announced his retirement.
Jackson played 75 of his 124 regular-season C-F-L games with the Green and White…between 2011 and 2015. Before that, he played three seasons with Edmonton and finished his nine-year career in 2016 with Ottawa. The 32-year-old Jackson was a member of the Riders’ 2013 Grey Cup championship team. Following is the news release from the Saskatchewan Roughriders…
DATE: March 7, 2019
RELEASE TIME: IMMEDIATELY
RELEASE: SR19-029
TRISTAN JACKSON OFFICIALLY RETIRES A ROUGHRIDER
The Saskatchewan Roughriders announced today that international defensive back and returner Tristan Jackson has signed a one-day contract to officially retire as a Roughrider.
Jackson is a veteran of nine CFL seasons and played 124 career regular-season games after making his debut June 28, 2008 with the Edmonton Eskimos. The Mississippi native spent three seasons with the Eskimos before being acquired by the Roughriders in March, 2011. He joined the Ottawa Redblacks in 2016 after five seasons with the Riders.
Through his career, Jackson ranks second in kickoff return yards with 6,478 and fifth in combined return yards with 10,868 among all-time CFL leaders.
In 75 career games in the Green and White, Jackson ranks second in franchise history in kickoff returns (146) and kickoff return yards (3,435). He also holds the Riders’ longest missed field goal return, taking a kick back 129 yards for a touchdown.
He played six career playoff games, including three with the Riders, and one Grey Cup game – winning with Saskatchewan in 2013.
“I want to congratulate Tristan Jackson on an outstanding nine-year CFL career,” stated Jeremy O’Day, the Roughriders Vice-President of Football Operations and General Manager. “T-Jack was a great teammate. He came to work every day and gave you everything he had, which contributed to the longevity and the consistency throughout his career.”
Jackson was named the Riders’ most outstanding special teams player in 2014, the Eskimos most outstanding special teams player in 2008-09, and the Eskimos most outstanding rookie in 2008.
“I humbly announce my retirement from the Canadian Football League in order to officially close the final chapter of my career,” Jackson said. “I want to thank the Edmonton Eskimos, Saskatchewan Roughriders and Ottawa Redblacks for giving me the opportunity to be a part of this great league for nine seasons. I also want to thank fans across the league, especially Rider Nation, for their support. I will never forget it.”
The 32-year-old Jackson currently resides and works in the Edmonton area.
