Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Jackson will speak at Chamber banquet

The Gurdon Chamber of Commerce will host its annual banquet at 7 p.m. on Monday, April 4, in the high school cafetorium.

Anita Cabe, Chamber organizer, said this years guest speaker will be Keith Jackson. Jackson said he spent a long time promoting the vision God entrusted to him of developing an academic center that would give the youth in his hometown of Little Rock  hope, strong values and academic confidence.

In 1992, this vision became a reality with the incorporation of Positive Atmosphere Reaches Kids (PARK). PARK became a non-profit organization under Jacksons leadership as president of the board. He not only put his name and personal money in PARK, he also put in countless hours with the youth of this program.

Tickets are on sale for $15 each at the First State Bank of Gurdon and also at U.S. Bank in Gurdon. They will be on sale the night of the event, until seating capacity is reached.

Cabe said, We recommend you get your tickets early so you will get a good seat. We intend for everyone to have a good seat that buys a ticket, which is why we are limiting our ticket sales this year.

By way of background of the speaker, Jackson was born in Little Rock. He attended high school at Little Rock Parkview, where he was a three-sport letterman and Parade All American in football. He also played the cello with the Parkview orchestra.

Upon graduating from Parkview, Jackson attended the University of Oklahoma, graduating with academic honors and a bachelor of arts in communications in three and a half years. During his college career, Jackson was selected three times to the All Big Eight team and named two-time Athletic All American.

In 1988, the Philadelphia Eagles made Jackson the 13th pick of the first round in the National Football League draft. He made an immediate impact on the Eagles team and the NFL during his rookie season. He was offensive rookie of the year and the only first year player to be selected by the NFL for the Pro Bowl. He played in the NFL for nine years with the Philadelphia Eagles, the Miami Dolphins, and finished his career with a Super Bowl championship with the Green Bay Packers. Jacksons playing honors include six Pro Bowls and three All-Pro selections. Coaches and fellow players have said he is considered to be one of the greatest tight ends to ever play the game.

As to his present work with PARK, the organization serves junior and senior high school students who appear to be at risk of dropping out of school and succumbing to the pressure of drugs, alcohol, sex and/or gangs. PARK provides after school tutoring, recreation, summer programs and community service. Jackson strongly believes an atmosphere of love, nurturing and discipline can put children on the path towards a positive future.

Keith Jackson has also combined his college degree in communications and his professional playing experience to become a broadcast analyst with TNT televison for one year, the Oklahoma Sooner football radio network in 1998, Fox Sports Network in 1999 and the Arkansas Razorback Sports Network in 2000. His speaking engagements include: churches, civic groups, corporations and schools.

Jackson is a family man of Christian values. He and his wife, Melanie, have three children, Keith Jr., Kenyon and Koilan.

In other accomplishments, Jackson has an honorary doctor of humanities degree from Ouachita Baptist University, was Boys Club Man of the Year, received the Channel 4 Community Service Award, the Jaycees Young Arkansas Award, is a member of the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame, received the mayors Town Spirit Award, is in the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame, and the College Hall of Fame, the High School Hall of Fame, NFL top 85 players, Oklahoma University Offensive Player of the Century and has been appointed to the Help America Vote Commission by President George W. Bush.