Deion Sanders, Jackson State in 'crisis mode' amid city water shortage, complicating plans for season opener Jackson, Miss., is mostly without clean water. That means no working toilets, no air conditioning and no ice baths at Jackson State's facili... 18 HOURS AGO • SPORTINGNEWS.COM The Jackson State Tigers football team represents Jackson State University in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) level as a member of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC).
After joining the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) in 1958, the program exploded into national prominence. In the 1980s, the program enjoyed its greatest success. Under head coach W. C. Gorden, the Tigers won eight conference championships between 1980 and 1990, including four straight from 1985 to 1988.[2] Since 1958, Jackson State has won 26 percent of the conference's football championships (17) and is a perennial powerhouse program among HBCUs. The Tigers have produced 93 professional football players and four Pro Football Hall of Famers: Lem Barney, Walter Payton, Robert Brazile, and Jackie Slater. Only 13 college football teams at any level have produced more Pro Football Hall of Famers than Jackson State.
Jackson State is widely noted for its strong football support and culture.[3][4][5][6][7][8] Jackson State has led the Division I FCS in attendance for multiple seasons, the most recent being in 2021.[9][10]
The Tigers playing against the Prairie View A&M Panthers during the 2021 SWAC Football Championship Game Jackson State has earned a total of 18 conference championships and has won the SWAC (Southwestern Athletic Conference) title 17 times since joining in 1958. Conference championships include:
Division championshipsThe Southwestern Athletic Conference instituted a divisional system for football in 1999. Jackson State plays in the Eastern Division of the conference along with Alabama A&M, Alabama State, Alcorn State, and Mississippi Valley. The SWAC Western Division includes the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Grambling, Prairie View A&M, Southern U, and Texas Southern. Each season, the SWAC East and SWAC West divisional champions face off in the SWAC Championship Game. Jackson State University claims seven SWAC Eastern Division championships: 1999, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013 and has won five outright to advance to the title game.
† Co–champions ^ win vacated by Southern University due to NCAA violations[12] The Tigers have appeared in the I-AA/FCS playoffs 12 times with a record of 0–12.
This table reflects the results of SWAC (Southwestern Athletic Conference) match-ups when both Jackson State and its opponent were members of the conference. Jackson State began SWAC play in 1958. Examples of excluded results are Grambling 1937-1957, Alabama A&M contest (1948-1995), and 1910s/1950s contests vs Alabama State. See the College Football Data Warehouse Archived 2019-05-08 at the Wayback Machine for more complete series records. Updated through December 31, 2018 of the 2018 NCAA Division I FCS football season.[13]
During the early years of Jackson State’s football history, rivalries were established with in-State foes like Rust College and Tougaloo. Stillman College of Alabama was also a common opponent which brought excitement to games played at the Mississippi Fairgrounds and later at Alumni Field on the campus of Jackson State. Since then, JSU has formed several traditional rivalries with long-time foes. Alcorn StateFlorida A&MSouthernTennessee State51 Jackson State players have been named All-Americans.[citation needed][when?]
Jackson State players have received 36 Player of the Year honors.[citation needed][when?]
As of 2017[update], Jackson State has produced 94 pro football players including four who have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and 16 who have been selected to play in the Pro Bowl.[15] Notable players include:
In 2021, Coach Prime started a new JSU football tradition of choosing a season theme song with the intention of keeping his players energetic and focused during the season.[16]
In 2021, Jackson State football was responsible for having a $30 million positive economic impact on Jackson's economy. Jackson State's football program is considered the most powerful in the Division I FCS in regards to generating a notable economic impact.[17][18] Jackson State University owns and operates Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium. The 60,492-seat venue has been the home field of Jackson State Football since 1970.[19]
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