WHO WE ARE
Our story began in 2012 as the Jackson In Action 83 Foundation. Founded by former NFL wide receiver Vincent Jackson and his wife, Lindsey, we have operated many programs with the goal of honoring the strength and sacrifice of military families, all of which were inspired by Vincent’s own upbringing in a military household. Following Vincent’s untimely passing in 2021, the foundation needed a new identity to reflect who we are now with Lindsey and the four Jackson children carrying the organization into the future. In September 2025, we officially became the Vincent Jackson Family Foundation. While we keep Vincent’s legacy at the forefront of our minds, we have evolved to include a program that strengthens both military and civilian families.
The mission of the Vincent Jackson Family Foundation is to provide support to military and civilian families, focusing on their overall wellness.
VINCENT’S STORY
As the son of two military parents, Vincent Jackson was raised with structure and discipline. His dad, Terence, served in the Army for 21 years. He met Sherry, Vincent’s mom, while in boot camp. As a child, Vincent’s father was sometimes deployed, and during his youth Vincent even lived on a U.S. Army base in Grafenwoehr, Germany.
Vincent was selected in the second round (61st overall) of the 2005 NFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers. He went on to enjoy a 12-year NFL career, playing five years in San Diego before signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on March 13, 2012. Throughout his career, Vincent was selected to three Pro Bowls and was voted by his teammates as team captain and the Buccaneers’ Walter Payton Man of the Year multiple times. Vincent got to experience flight with the USAF Thunderbirds in 2014, and in 2015 Vincent was named the NFL’s Salute to Service Award winner, presented annually by USAA to acknowledge the exceptional efforts by members of the NFL community to honor and support U.S. service members, veterans, and their families. In 2016, Vincent served as Honorary Commander to the 6th Force Support Squadron Commander at MacDill Air Force Base.
In addition to his football prowess, he put his University of South Florida business management degree to use as he invested in a variety of businesses in the hospitality, apparel, real estate, and fitness realms, resulting in what was a diversified business portfolio.
Vincent married his wife, Lindsey, in 2011, and they eventually expanded their family to include four children, Carter, Amaya, Dominick, and Miles. Our world was forever changed when Vincent passed away unexpectedly on February 15, 2021. While our programs never ceased, the foundation rebranded in the fall of 2025 as the Vincent Jackson Family Foundation with Lindsey and the Jackson children now at the helm, committed to continuing his legacy.