Robert Jackson (American football coach)


Robert Herman "Stonewall" Jackson was an American football player and coach. He first served his country in World War II, and returned home to enroll in North Carolina A&T State University from 1946 to 1950. Jackson played fullback and linebacker at North Carolina A&T. He is the first HBCU alumnus to be drafted by a National Football League team when he was selected by the New York Giants in the 16th round of the 1950 NFL Draft. After his two-year stint in the NFL, Jackson obtained his master's degree at Springfield College. He devoted over 40 years of his life to coaching and developing competitive student athletes. Even though Jackson spent most of his career at North Carolina Central University, he also coached football, basketball, track, and tennis at Johnson C. Smith University, St. Augustine's University, Shaw University, and Texas Southern University. He also served as a faculty member, trainer, and equipment manager at some of these institutions.
Jackson died on March 14, 2010 at Capital Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Raleigh, North Carolina.