CEDAR RAPIDS — Fred Jackson is proud of his path to the National Football League, including how he honed his skills at Coe College.

Actually, he embraces the role, championing the merits of small-college sports and inspiring current NCAA Division III athletes.

The former Kohawk All-American football player and track athlete returned to Coe Thursday afternoon, speaking to students, faculty and staff about his experiences and the resulting career. He was joined by his twin brother, Patrick, and wife, Danielle, promoting d3nation.com, which is an effort to help strengthen bonds, build pride and motivate Division III athletes to chase their dreams of success in and out of competition.

Jackson said he was excited to return. Before addressing the crowd, he and Danielle toured the campus, showing their children the “old stomping grounds” on campus.

“You have to remember where you come from,” Jackson said. “It was the whole point of starting D3nation, because of how proud I am to be a Division III athlete.

“I’ll never forget that. Coming here is where I got started and I love to tell that story.”

It has turned almost fairy-tale like. The former Iowa Conference Most Valuable Player competed in the United Indoor Football League for the Sioux City Bandits. In 2006, he received a call from Coe alum and Hall of Fame Coach Marv Levy, who became the Buffalo Bills General Manager. Levy offered a tryout that Jackson has turned into an almost decadelong career.

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“I took advantage of it,” said Jackson, hoping others join the likes of him, Devean George, Pierre Garcon and London Fletcher, who were D-III athletes with successful pro careers. “I’ve been able to stay there ever since.

“Once I got there, I said I’m not letting this go. I got there and got a taste of what it was like to be in the NFL and it was something I wanted to hold on to as long as possible. That’s one of the reasons I’m still trying to play now.”

Coe played a major role in his development. He returned kicks and ran routes out of the backfield for the first time here. Jackson improved in all areas and became more versatile.

“When I got here, I was able to fine-tune all those skills,” Jackson said. “It helped me take my game to the next level.”

He doesn’t take it for granted. As Sioux City Bandit teammates boasted about being from larger Division I programs, Jackson, his brother and former Marion prep Kenny Ware, were just as appreciative of the Kohawk roots. They decided they would always carry the D-III torch, which gave birth to D3nation.

“I think there are a lot of misconceptions that we are the bottom of the barrel and only scrubs go play at Division III,” Jackson said. “There are a lot of talented athletes at Division III. I think we just have to have an opportunity to get in the limelight, so to speak.”

Jackson has amassed almost 8,300 yards, including 5,646 on the ground with 37 total touchdowns. He surpassed the 1,000-yard mark in 2009 for Buffalo, rushing for 1,062 yards. Jackson will be playing for Rex Ryan, who has taken over the Bills’ helm.

“He’s not afraid to speak his mind, but everybody loves him,” Jackson said. “When we announced he was going to be our head coach, I got three or four text messages and phone calls saying you’re going to love playing for Rex. Everybody loves him.”

The work Jackson has done on the field nearly pales in comparison to the impact off it. Jackson has been the Bills’ Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee twice (2010 and 2014), which honors players for volunteer and charity work. He received the Jefferson Award Foundation award for Greatest Public Service by an Athlete in March.

The endeavor also offers a financial award — not an official scholarship — to a deserving male and female athlete, participating at the D-III level. His time at Coe instilled a sense of service; a responsibility he said he thinks all professional athletes should take as serious as their athletic careers.

“Those are some of the things you learn, like to give back to others and be involved with helping others succeed,” Jackson said. “It’s one of the things I lean on. You want to go back to the community and show what they mean to you. I had some tremendous coaches here at Coe. They taught us the game was bigger than us. If you have the opportunity to make somebody’s day, go out and do it.”

Jackson has shared the Buffalo backfield with some notable running backs like Marshawn Lynch, C.J. Spiller and Anthony Thomas. He will now share the load with LeSean McCoy, who the Bills acquired from Philadelphia. The later start and competition for carries has helped save his body and prolong his career. He said he’d like to play at least three more years, but he didn’t even imagine this long of a run. His past continues to fuel his current goals.

“When you don’t get that opportunity right out of college and go into the NFL, it keeps you motivated,” Jackson said. “For me, at 34, being the oldest running back in the league, I’m still motivated. I still love to get out there and compete.

“It’s what I love to do. I said I want to be out there and play as long as I can and that is what I’m trying to accomplish.”

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