DURHAM -- N.C. Central hall of fame coach and NFL trailblazer Robert "Stonewall" Jackson passed away Sunday morning in Raleigh at the age of 88.
Jackson spent more than 30 years at NCCU coaching and teaching and was inducted into the NCCU Athletic Hall of Fame in 1997. In October 2009, he was honored as one of the top 10 coaches in Eagles history as part of the school's 100th anniversary celebration.
Jackson served as an assistant football coach and athletic trainer and taught physical education theory, athletic training, weight training and equipment management courses from 1968-99. He was also the Eagles' football coach for two games in 1977.
Jackson was one of the first black players from a historically black college drafted by the NFL when he was selected by the New York Giants in 1950. As a rookie fullback, he rushed for 113 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries for the 10-2 Giants.
Born on Oct. 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 -- where he earned the nickname "Stonewall" when his high school coach said trying to tackle him was like bringing down a brick wall -- Jackson was drafted into the Army to work as a combat engineer for the all-black 183rd Engineering Battalion that fought out of Luxembourg and Germany during WWII.
Jackson was with Gen. George Patton and the Third Army in 1944 when he crossed the Rhine River into Germany. He was at the Battle of the Bulge near Bastogne in Belgium.
Jackson 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 Army in 1946.
When Jackson returned to the United States he enrolled in N.C. Agricultural and Technical College (now N.C. A T) and was a four-year starting fullback and linebacker, earning All-CIAA honors in 1948. Jackson was later inducted into the NCA T Hall of Fame. He earned a bachelor of science degree in phsyical education with a minor in social services.
After his NFL career Jackson got a masters in physical education from Springfield (Mass.) College and then coached at Johnson C. Smith University, St. Augustine's College, Shaw University, Texas Southern University and NCCU.
While at N.C. Central, Jackson was also a physical education consultant for the Durham City schools and various community health and fitness facilities.
He was given North Carolina's highest award, The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, by Gov. James B. Hunt in the 1970s.
Jackson was married for 18 years to Dr. Desretta McAllister-Harper, and the couple resided in Wake Forest. He was formerly married to Omeata Howard Jackson (deceased). He is survived by son, Caleb, daughter Omeata Denise Henry and grandchildren Brian, Veranda, Russell, Delano, and Omeata Catherine Henry, two great-grandchildren. Survivors also include sisters-in-law Cynthia Jackson, LaVerne McAllister and Jackie Wilder and a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins, friends, former players, and students.
The memorial service will be held on Saturday at 2 p.m. inside B.N. Duke Auditorium on the NCCU campus.
