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© 2025 COLD WIRE MEDIA. THE COLD WIRE IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF COLD WIRE MEDIA. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. USE OF THIS SITE CONSTITUTES ACCEPTANCE OF OUR TERMS OF USE AND PRIVACY POLICY

Friday, April 17, 2026

The Life And Career Of Steven Jackson

Ben Donahue
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The Life And Career Of Steven Jackson
(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

 

The Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams have had a few notable running backs in team history.

Names like Erick Dickerson, Marshall Faulk, Jerome Bettis and Todd Gurley have lined up in the backfield for the franchise.

Then there was Steven Jackson.

His nine-year total with the Rams produced over 10,000 yards, the highest rushing total in team history.

Jackson was a first-round pick in 2004 after a stellar college career at Oregon State.

Although St. Louis only went to the playoffs once during his tenure, Jackson still brought his ‘A’ game every week.

In his 12 years in the NFL with three teams, he was a three-time Pro Bowler, two-time All-Pro and had eight seasons with over 1,000 rushing yards.

Since his retirement, Jackson has been busy as an entrepreneur, speaker and content creator.

This is the story of Steven Jackson.

 

Growing Up In Vegas

Steven Rashad Jackson was born on July 22, 1983, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Growing up in Sin City would be a temptation for anyone, especially teenagers.

However, the bright lights and distractions weren’t Jackson’s style.

“I had to be willing to sacrifice and stay at home occasionally and not party,” Jackson said in 2012. “It’s tough when there is peer pressure to be one of the cool kids. But my parents wanted to make sure I had a great education.”

His sacrifices paid off when he put on the uniform of the Eldorado High School Sundevils (now Firehawks).

As a running back for the school, Jackson was a freight train at over six feet tall and well over 200 pounds.

During his time as a starter, he accumulated an astounding 6,396 yards and 81 touchdowns.

In 2000, Jackson and the Sundevils advanced all the way to the Sunrise Regional title and an appearance in the state championship game.

Unfortunately, Eldorado lost to McQueen High School from Reno.

Not only did Jackson thrill fans on the gridiron, but he was also a four-year letterman on the track as well, competing in the 100-meter dash and 4×100-meter relay.

In 2011, he was inducted into the Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame.

 

Oregon State

When he wasn’t on the track or football field, Jackson was a model student, earning a 3.8 grade point average and being a member of the National Honor Society.

Jackson received a host of accolades for his football stats, including an All-American designation, all-conference, all-state, and Nevada Player of the Year.

Despite his academic and athletic success, the Las Vegas area wasn’t heavily recruited at the time.

Oregon State head coach Dennis Erickson, however, was more than excited to add Jackson to his roster.

The two were meeting at just the right time.

Erickson had been the coach of the Seattle Seahawks for four years before getting canned after the 1998 season.

He stayed close to his Pacific Northwest roots by taking the Oregon State job in 1999.

At the time, the program was a lost cause, having not posted a winning record since 1970.

As he had accomplished at his previous stops, however, Erickson turned things around quickly.

The Beavers went 7-5 his first year and 11-1 in 2000, when OSU crushed Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl.

In 2001, Jackson’s freshman year, he was a backup and tallied 390 rushing yards and six combined touchdowns as the Beavers regressed to 5-6.

The best was yet to come.

 

Bull in a China Shop

When Erickson first pitched Jackson about coming to Corvallis, he didn’t promise much.

“When I was recruited by Coach Erickson, he made no promises. He said, ‘Kid, you have talent and some promise. I think you fit in with us. We’re blue-collar, hard-working guys.’ And that turned out to be true to form. That’s what we embodied while I was at Oregon State,” said Jackson.

Jackson backed up Ken Simonton in his freshman year, but after Simonton left for the NFL, Jackson was given the keys to the backfield.

Right off the bat, he rushed for 141 yards and two scores against Eastern Kentucky in Week 1.

Three weeks later, he rumbled for 227 yards and two touchdowns against Fresno State.

October 26 saw him gash Cal for 239 yards (his best single-game yardage as a collegian).

By the time the smoke cleared for the Beavers’ 8-5 regular season (including a loss to Pitt in the Insight Bowl), Jackson had racked up Pac-10-leading totals for rushing attempts (319), yards (1,690, career-high), touchdowns (15), total plays from scrimmage (336) and total touchdowns (17).

Both his rushing yards and all-purpose yards (1,855 yards) set program single-season records.

He was then named a third-team All-American and first-team All-Pac-10.

 

All-American

In 2003, Erickson was offered the head coaching position of the San Francisco 49ers, and he took it.

Mike Riley, who led the Beavers in 1997 and 1998 before departing for the San Diego Chargers, returned to the program for the second time.

That season, Derek Anderson lined up under center, and Jackson was a dual-threat force in the backfield.

During his junior year, he led the conference with 1,545 yards and 19 touchdowns, and led the nation with 350 attempts, 394 plays from scrimmage, and 22 combined touchdowns.

Included in his stats were 44 receptions for 470 yards and three scores.

On October 4, he humiliated Cal for the second straight year by slipping through the defense for 227 yards.

Following a seven-win regular season, OSU met New Mexico in the Las Vegas Bowl.

Perhaps inspired by playing in his hometown, Jackson crushed the Lobos with 149 yards and four touchdowns on the ground, and 61 yards and another score as a receiver.

The result was an easy 55-14 win.

“If you have to go, that’s the way you hope to go out,” Jackson said in 2023.

He was named a first-team All-Conference and a third-team All-American during awards season.

 

Leaving Early

In three years at OSU, Jackson rushed 743 times for 3,625 yards and 39 touchdowns, and caught 66 passes for 680 yards and six touchdowns.

His all-purpose yards were: 809 plays from scrimmage for 4,305 yards and 45 scores.

During his freshman year, Jackson returned seven punts for 240 yards and a touchdown.

Although he had one more year of eligibility remaining, Jackson believed he had proved everything he could at OSU and declared his intentions to turn pro.

“Part of me wanted to come back for my senior year and play with that group I was recruited with,” Jackson said in 2023. “So there was that. Or do you take advantage of that kind of performance as a springboard to going to the NFL?”

Because of his outstanding college career, more top-tier programs began to recruit heavily in the Las Vegas area.

“I definitely helped pave the way for the other guys,” Jackson said in 2011. “You have to give Oregon State credit for being the first to come here and bring guys out. Now, all kinds of schools are finding guys here.”

 

Sharing Time with Marshall

The St. Louis Rams had one of the best offenses in NFL history in 1999.

Affectionately known as the “Greatest Show on Turf,” the Rams boasted quarterback Kurt Warner, running back Marshall Faulk, and a receiving core that included Torry Holt, Isaac Bruce, Ricky Proehl and Az Hakim.

That year, the franchise won Super Bowl XXXIV over the Tennessee Titans, and lost Super Bowl XXXVI against the New England Patriots in 2001.

By 2004, much of the core was gone, including Warner, and Faulk was on his last legs.

He would eventually be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but the running back previously rushed for over 1,000 yards in ‘01 and only gained 953 yards in 2003.

So, with the 24th overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft, the Rams selected Jackson, Marshall’s eventual replacement.

St. Louis went 8-8 that season and qualified for the playoffs, beating Seattle in the wild-card round before succumbing to Atlanta in the divisional round.

Faulk was still the starting back, and Jackson got mop-up duty as a rookie, netting 673 yards and four touchdowns rushing, and another 189 yards as a receiver.

Before 2005, head coach Mike Martz started Jackson over Faulk, and the second-year pro responded with 1,046 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground, and 43 catches for 320 yards and two more scores.

 

Pro Bowler

American Football on Field

 

When the ‘05 season concluded, so did Faulk’s illustrious career.

St. Louis’ starting running back job was solely the property of Jackson.

“I don’t feel any pressure at all,” Jackson said in an interview. “The pressure was getting into the NFL. Now that I’m here, I feel all I have to do is do what I do best, and that’s be a natural athlete— so replacing Marshall Faulk is no pressure for me.”

Although the Rams had a new head coach in Scott Linehan and missed the postseason for the second straight year, Jackson had video game-type numbers.

That year, he was a frequent target for QB Marc Bulger, taking 346 handoffs (a career-high) for 1,528 yards and 13 touchdowns (also career-highs).

As a receiver, Bulger threw Jackson’s way 110 times, and the running back caught 90 of them for 806 yards and three more touchdowns.

His receiving marks were all career-bests.

The Rams went 8-8, but Jackson was voted to his first Pro Bowl and chosen as a second-team All-Pro.

Furthermore, he was selected as the team’s MVP.

“It means a lot because your peers picked you — your teammates,” Jackson said. “But it’s kind of funny because without those guys, I couldn’t have put the year together that I did put together. There’s a lot of guys that are really deserving of the award.”

 

A New Deal Validated

In 2007, St. Louis was awful, winning only three times and causing backlash with their fans.

Jackson and other players pushed back, and he also criticized the music for home games.

Still, he had 1,273 total yards and six combined touchdowns.

Then, before 2008, Jackson held out of training camp before signing a new incentive-laden contract with the team that made him the highest-paid running back in NFL history at the time.

Overall, the deal would be for six years and $49.3 million, including $11.4 million guaranteed.

However, the last two years of the contract (2012 and 2013) could be voided if Jackson reached certain incentives, meaning it could have been a three-year extension worth $29.3 million.

Either way, he was thrilled.

“No one gets 100 percent of what they would like to happen, but me and my agent are happy,” Jackson said. “Of course, there were heated debates on the phone, but no one attacked publicly. I still feel the same way about this organization as I did last year in the last game of the season.”

Jackson validated the organization’s trust in him by reaching 1,042 yards and eight total touchdowns in ‘08, 1,416 yards and four touchdowns in 2009, and 1,241 yards and six touchdowns in 2010.

His fifth straight 1,000-yard season in ‘09 set a franchise record previously held by Eric Dickerson.

Both the ‘09 and ‘10 seasons ended with Pro Bowls and a second-team All-Pro nod in ‘09.

 

Reaching Major Milestones

American Football Field

 

During his sixth consecutive 1,000-yard season in 2010, Jackson overtook Dickerson for first place on the Rams’ career rushing list.

“I’m really happy for Steven,” Dickerson told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “He’s been the backbone of the Rams’ offense through some really lean years. He’s a workhorse back. There are very few guys like Steven Jackson.”

Following 1,145 yards and five touchdowns in 2011, he reached another big milestone in 2012.

The team was mired in yet another losing season with first-year head coach Jeff Fisher.

Jackson was one of the few bright spots when he reached 10,000 career rushing yards against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 15.

 

Jackson Becomes a Falcon

Atlanta Falcons helmets
(Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

 

Not long after the 2012 season ended, Jackson opted out of the final year of his contract so he could sign with a contending team.

“For nearly a decade, Steven Jackson served as an inspiration for his St. Louis Rams teammates and our fans,” the team said in a statement. “Off the field, his generosity and unselfishness improved the lives of many families in the St. Louis community. We will always be thankful for his contributions to our team and region and wish him success moving forward.”

The Atlanta Falcons dialed his number, and he signed a three-year contract worth $12 million in early 2013.

Jackson would be replacing Michael “The Burner” Turner, who was cut by the organization after failing his physical.

Atlanta had just come off a 13-3 season in ‘12 that ended with an NFC Championship game loss to San Francisco.

Playing for a winning franchise would give Jackson the opportunity to showcase his skills in the postseason for the first time since his rookie year.

 

More Losing

Unfortunately, it was just his luck that the Falcons won only four times in 2013.

The offensive line was bad, and it seemed like everyone on the team was injured at some point.

That included Jackson, who only gained 543 rushing yards and seven total touchdowns after missing four games.

A year later, there was renewed optimism about the team’s chances for 2014.

“The team was so close to going to the Super Bowl and I thought I was going to be the missing link. Then reality slaps you. It’s still a team sport. This year I know I don’t have to shoulder the burden of carrying the franchise. I’m not the missing piece, I’m just one piece,” Jackson said during minicamp.

Atlanta instead won six times, and Jackson shouldered most of the rushing load.

In 15 starts, he collected 707 yards and six touchdowns rushing.

Two months after the season ended, the Falcons released Jackson, making him a free agent once again.

“In terms of what we hoped to accomplish as a team on the field, my time as a Falcon was a disappointment,” Jackson said, “but I will always be grateful for how the city and franchise treated me while I was there.”

 

Playoffs At Last

American Football amongst the Yard Lines

 

Jackson had a lot of wear and tear after 11 years, but he still thought there was tread on his tires.

“Make no mistake: I can still punish a defense. I still have a warrior’s heart. There are 1,000-yard seasons left in these legs,” Jackson said. “I know what I am still capable of, and I have every intention of proving it.”

For most of 2015, it looked like zero franchises believed Jackson had a chance to reach 1,000 yards, and he remained unsigned.

Thankfully, just a few days before Christmas, Coach Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots signed him for the stretch run.

“It’s exciting, couldn’t ask for a better Christmas gift,” Jackson said. “Just looking forward to continuing to get better and continuing to learn the way of the Patriots.”

He got some playing time during the last two games of the season (both losses), and Jackson posted 50 yards and one touchdown.

New England had already clinched a playoff spot, so Jackson was blessed to play in only his second career postseason.

The Pats beat Kansas City in the divisional round and met the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship game.

In the first quarter, Jackson scored his first-ever playoff touchdown.

Denver eventually pulled away and ruined Jackson’s Super Bowl hopes with a 20-18 win.

 

Retirement

retirement

 

That would be Jackson’s final game in the NFL.

In late July 2019, he signed a one-day contract with the Rams to officially retire as a member of the organization.

During his 12-year career, Jackson rushed for 11,438 yards and 69 touchdowns, caught 461 passes for 3,683 yards and nine more touchdowns.

Additionally, he returned four kicks for 79 yards in his rookie year.

Jackson was a three-time Pro Bowler, a two-time All-Pro, and was inducted into the St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame in 2024.

When asked in 2018 who he thought was the best running back in Rams history, Jackson was candid.

“Sometimes, I talk to current fans here [in Los Angeles], and there’s an argument of who’s the greatest running back to be a Ram,” said Jackson. “I think it’s me. Look at the record book. Everybody has their pick.”

Judging by career rushing yards, Jackson is correct.

Currently, he is tops on the organization’s list with 10,138 yards to Dickerson’s 7,245 and Faulk’s 6,959.

However, Dickerson played with the Rams for 65 games, Faulk played 99, and Jackson suited up for St. Louis for 131 games.

 

Life in Retirement

Off the field, Jackson stayed busy during and after his NFL career.

During his rookie year, he founded the Steven Jackson Foundation to provide technology, after-school, and literacy programs for kids.

The former running back has helped build water wells in Tanzania to supply clean water for villages.

Additionally, Jackson has invested in companies such as the Original Barber School in Las Vegas.

He also created the Jackson Family Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Fund at Oregon State to help promote underrepresented staff and faculty.

When he’s not starting businesses or helping his community, Jackson has been a busy content creator.

His projects have included the “Week in the Life” series about his career.

Jackson has been an analyst for NFL Network and ESPN, and has been a frequent guest on Fox Business News to talk about business and sports.

In 2024, Jackson’s son, Skyler, signed with Oregon State as a running back.

 

References

https://osubeavers.com

https://www.nfl.com

https://lasvegassun.com

https://www.espn.com

https://stlshof.com

https://osubeavers.com

https://www.kerryeggers.com

https://www.nfl.com

https://www.espn.com

https://www.nfl.com

https://www.sbnation.com

https://www.espn.com

https://lasvegassun.com

https://www.nbcsports.com

https://www.stlmag.com

https://www.sports-reference.com

https://www.stlmag.com

http://www.sj39.com/

https://osubeavers.com

https://www.pro-football-reference.com

NEXT:  The Life And Career Of Kurt Warner

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Ben Donahue
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Pro Football History Staff
Ben Donahue
Contributor at Pro Football History
Over 25 years of experience in sports including coach, athletic director, game day operations, media relations, football operations, and scout. He is [...]

Pro Football History