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Argos OC Jarious Jackson draws on some big name influences

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Tupelo, Miss., is the birthplace of Elvis Presley, the undisputed King of Rock and Roll.

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It’s also home to Jarious Jackson, the unofficial king of quarterbacks, who returns to the Argos as their offensive co-ordinator and QBs coach.

“I actually grew up three miles from where Elvis grew up,” said Jackson during a phone interview. “It was pretty cool once I was old enough to understand how someone famous came from where I was born. It was exciting for me as a kid to know he would go on to be one of the greats.

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“It was definitely inspiring knowing Elvis grew up down the street.”

Houston is home for Jackson these days, but he occasionally will make the 10-hour drive to Tupelo to catch up with friends and family.

“I probably don’t go back as much as I should,” he admits. “When I do come home here, I do enjoy when I relax and do things around the place. But, yeah, I do have to make it more of a habit of returning more often, especially with people getting older.”

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Jackson has had quite the football life in his own right, being around some of the game’s most accomplished coaches and either serving as a teammate or working with some of the premier arms the sport has seen, on both sides of the border.

He even spent time overseas playing in NFL Europe.

As a kid, the Jackson household rooted for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Growing up in Tupelo, Jackson played whatever sport was in season, as he likes to say, other than hockey, which was never a consideration in Mississippi.

“That’s just the way we were back then, we were outside, playing football when it was football season, basketball, baseball. We didn’t have hockey like Canadians, but we made the most of every season.

“Once I was old enough to play organized sport, I always tried to compete and keep myself busy.”

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Jackson’s dad played football, as did his uncles.

“It was one of the sports all the men in our family played,” continued Jackson. “It was natural for me to pick it up, as well.”

Jackson has vague memories of the vaunted Steel Curtain when the Steelers dominated the NFL in the 1970s.

“My dad cheered for them,” said Jackson. “I just picked it up because I didn’t know any better. I was a kid. I remember having a Pittsburgh Steelers bike with a banana seat on it. Football has always been part of my life. The other sports came along naturally because I didn’t want to simply sit around.”

While Elvis is the most famous resident of Mississippi, the state’s most famous football player is arguably Marcus Dupree, a legendary running back whose career, sadly, took a turn for the worse following a knee injury.

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Dupree’s story, and how people took advantage money-wise, was the subject of an ESPN 30 For 30 documentary.

Dupree grew up just down the road from Tupelo in Philadelphia, Miss.

“His story definitely hit home,” said Jackson. “I asked family members who were his age and they told me so many stories about him and how great he was and the film spoke for itself.”

When Jackson worked in Saskatchewan and the Riders gathered in Florida for a camp, he met Dupree.

“He came over and spent some time with us,” added Jackson. “I took a picture of him. It was an honour.”

There’s no more famous program in the United States than Notre Dame, a place Jackson would call home after he was recruited by the legendary Lou Holtz.

As Jackson fondly remembers, Tennessee made quite the pitch.

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“Notre Dame ended up as a very special place for me,” said Jackson. “I was offered scholarships from any school you can name. That was such an honour. I earned it, the way I performed on the football field and in the classroom, laser-beam focus. I wanted to put myself in a position where I could play in the NFL.

“As coach Holtz used to say: ‘You give me four years of your life and I’ll give you 40 years of mine. I may not be around for 40, but if I’m around, I’ll be there for you.’ Not to knock Tennessee, but that ended up being my journey.”

Jackson was an 18-year-old when he boarded his first plane en route to South Bend, Ind.

When he arrived, he saw snow for the first time.

“It was a great experience,” said Jackson. “I remember it like it was yesterday.”

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Jackson would make it to the game’s highest level when the Denver Broncos drafted him in the seventh round. He spent four seasons with the Broncos, seeing action in five games.

More importantly, Jackson’s time being around the likes of Mike Shanahan, whose son Kyle led San Francisco to this year’s Super Bowl, and Gary Kubiak, two great offensive minds.

Jackson remembers his days spending time with a young Kyle Shanahan.

“I was able to compete at a very high level,” said Jackson. “These are grown men. It wasn’t one of those ‘Let’s win one for the Gipper,’ so to speak. You’re fighting for you job, your livelihood. They made a roster spot right off the bat. I just kept competing year in and year out. Next thing you know, I was able to put four years in.

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“For me, I was around some offensive geniuses. Shanahan, Kubiak, I learned a lot from those two men. I attribute my knowledge of the West Coast offence to those guys, taking different philosophies and knowing how to attack defences. It was a great experience for me.”

During one pre-season game, Jackson’s Broncos played the Chicago Bears. His counterpart was Henry Burris, one of the few quarterbacks Jackson hasn’t worked with during his time in football.

When he joined the CFL with the B.C. Lions, Jackson would meet the likes of Dave Dickenson, Casey Printers and Buck Pierce. Travis Lulay and Mike Reilly would follow.

Jackson would win two Grey Cups before moving to the Argos in free agency in 2012. Another Grey Cup was won while serving as Ricky Ray’s backup on a quarterback depth chart that included Zach Collaros and Trevor Harris.

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“In Denver, I was with Brian Griese, Gus Frerotte, Steve Beuerlein, another (Golden) Domer. I was with Jake Plummer, Danny Kanell, all these guys. I wasn’t good enough to play, but they (Broncos) never put me on the practice roster.

“I’ve been around football my entire life. Football is the sport I know, the sport I love. The last few years of my playing career, certain plays would come up and I’d be helping out the coach. Guys would come up to me knowing how well I explained (concepts and formations). From that, it became a thing. I was that way naturally. I was able to help out Travis Lulay, Mike Reilly and all these guys.

“At the end of the day, all I care about is winning. Who cares who gets the big piece of sugar?”

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