Army Starting Cornerback Brandon Jackson Dead at 20

0
977
Army West Point Athletics

The joy felt by the Army football team after its first 2-0 start since 1996 quickly turned to sadness following the death of sophomore cornerback Brandon Jackson in a car accident early Sunday morning in Croton-on-Hudson, N.Y. He was 20 years old.

Police told News 12 Hudson Valley that Jackson hit a guardrail and flipped his car on Route 9 in Croton-on-Hudson, approximately 20 miles south of West Point. Authorities are awaiting toxicology reports to see if drugs or alcohol were involved, News 12 reports.

Lt. Gen. Robert Caslen Jr., the superintendent at West Point, announced Jackson’s death Sunday in a letter to the Corps of Cadets:

“Brandon grew up watching Army football on television. Attending West Point and playing for the Army Football Team as a defensive back was the culmination of a life-long dream. Following the example of his mother, an Iraq War veteran and member of the U.S. Army Reserves, Brandon was proud to serve. He represented West Point values in all aspects of life. He was a Management major in the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership and a member of the Cultural Affairs Club. He enjoyed bike-riding as well as playing basketball and chess. His classmates, instructors, coaches, and friends at West Point remember him most for his warm smile, sense of humor, and love of competition.

“I wish to extend to his family the sincere and profound sympathy of the Corps of Cadets and all members of this command. His death will be mourned by all who have known him. Brandon internalized our watch words, Duty, Honor, Country. We will honor his life as we mourn the untimely death of a young man who had a promising future as a leader in service to our Nation.”

Jackson started nine games as a freshman in 2015 and both the Black Knights’ games this season, making three tackles and breaking up one pass in a 31-14 home win over Rice on Saturday.

“Words cannot describe the grief that our team is feeling over the loss of our brother and friend, Brandon,” Army Coach Jeff Monken said in a statement. “He was a beloved teammate and our hearts are with his family at this time of tragedy.”

(c) 2016, The Washington Post ยท Matt Bonesteel

Army West Point Athletics
Army West Point Athletics

Facebook Comments