Robert "Stonewall" Jackson spent more than 30 years as an educator and coach at NCCU. Besides working as an assistant football coach and teacher of physical education theory, athletic training, weight training, individual and team sports, and equipment management courses from 1968 until 1999, he also served as the athletic trainer for many years and was even the Eagles' head football coach for two games in 1977.
In October 2009, as part of the university's 100th anniversary celebration, Jackson was honored among the Centennial 100 Sports Legends as one of the top 10 coaches in NCCU history.
In 1950, Jackson became the first African-American from a historically black college drafted to play in the NFL when he was selected by the New York Giants. As a rookie fullback, he rushed for 113 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries for an average of 9.4 yards per run for the 10-2 Giants.
Born on October 26, 1921, Robert Herman Jackson was the second child of Robert Washington Jackson and Eliza Davis Jackson in Mineral, Va.
After graduating from Allentown (Pa.) High School in 1942, Jackson was drafted into the Army during World War II to work as a combat engineer for the all-black 183rd Engineering Battalion that fought out of Luxembourg and Germany. Jackson was with General George Patton and the Third Army in 1944 when he crossed the Rhine into Germany. He was at the Battle of the Bulge near Bastogne in Belgium. Jackson remembered that General Patton, who always wore two .45 pistols on his waist, was a tough man who was highly respected by his men. Jackson remembered that the men called Patton "Old Blood and Guts," which reminded him of the nickname his high school coach gave him, "Stonewall," because trying to tackle him was like bringing down a brick wall.
Jackson was a highly-decorated World War II veteran who received three Bronze Star Medals, the World War II Victory Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Medal, the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, and a Good Conduct Medal. He was honorably discharged from the United States Army in 1946.
Upon his return to the United States, Jackson enrolled in North Carolina Agricultural and Technical College (now North Carolina A&T State University), where he earned a bachelor of science degree in physical education with a minor in social services. A four-year starting fullback and linebacker, he earned All-CIAA honors in 1948. His longest run went for 59 yards against North Carolina College (NCCU) in Durham. Jackson was later inducted into the NCA&T Hall of Fame.
Following his NFL career, Jackson obtained his master's in physical education from Springfield (Mass.) College. Then he devoted his life to coaching and developing competitive student-athletes. He coached football, basketball, track, and tennis at Johnson C. Smith University, St. Augustine's College, Shaw University, Texas Southern University and NCCU.
While serving as a football coach at NCCU, Jackson also served as a physical fitness consultant for the Durham City Schools and various community health and fitness facilities. His career embodied an inspired commitment to health and physical fitness for children and adults across the lifespan.
He was given North Carolina's highest award, The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, by Gov. James B. Hunt in the 1970s.
On Oct. 4, 2008, the 80th football meeting between NCA&T and NCCU was dedicated to Jackson in recognition of his outstanding accomplishments and contributions to both institutions as a player and a coach.
