IMMOKALEE, Fla. — As the world waits to watch the New England Patriots take on the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII, people in Immokalee have an extra reason to be excited about the big game. Former Immokalee High School football player J.C. Jackson will take part in the game - in his rookie season as a cornerback with the Patriots.
Jackson played varsity football in all of his four years with the Immokalee Fighting Indians. After a few years at the college level - at the Universities of Florida and Maryland - Jackson signed with the Patriots as a free agent in May 2018.
Israel Gallegos, who has coached football at Immokalee High School for twenty-six years, said he was impressed by Jackson's speed and athletic talent as a high school freshman.
"We knew by looking at him, there's an NFL player," Gallegos said. "And now he's being coached by one of the best staffs in NFL history,"
Gallegos isn't surprised that Jackson made it into the NFL, but says it's amazing that he was able to get to the Super Bowl in his rookie season.
"The town is going to be ecstatic," Gallegos said. "I think the whole town of Immokalee is going to be cheering for J.C. to bring home that Super Bowl ring."
