Ex-NFL QB Tarvaris Jackson dies in car crash

Tarvaris Jackson, a former NFL quarterback and an assistant coach at Tennessee State, died Sunday night in a single-vehicle car crash, a police spokesperson confirmed to ESPN's Courtney Cronin.

Jackson was 36.

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said the collision occurred a few miles south of Montgomery when Jackson's automobile left the roadway, struck a tree, and overturned, according to USA TODAY Sports' Tom Schad.

Jackson played 10 years in the NFL, spending time with the Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks, and Buffalo Bills. The Vikings drafted him in the second round in 2006 following a standout career at Alabama State. He attended Arkansas before transferring to the Hornets.

In five seasons with Minnesota, Jackson started 20 contests plus a playoff game in 2008. He was relegated to the bench in 2009 once the Vikings acquired Brett Favre.

"The entire Vikings family is saddened by the news of Tarvaris Jackson being taken from us too soon," the club said in a statement. "One of Tarvaris' greatest attributes was his positive outlook and approach. He genuinely cared about others, was a good friend and will be missed by family, teammates and Vikings fans everywhere. We send our deepest condolences to his family."

Jackson joined the Seahawks in 2011 and started 14 games that year. He returned to Seattle in 2013 and backed up Russell Wilson. Jackson entered Super Bowl XLVIII late with the Seahawks routing the Denver Broncos.

Aspiring to break into the coaching profession, Jackson returned to Alabama State in 2018 as a quality control and quarterbacks coach. He was hired as quarterbacks coach at Tennessee State in 2019.

Jackson was a father of three and a husband to Lakitta Jackson.