Welcome to another information packed issue of The Damage Prevention Journal.

Damage prevention is not only about today, but about tomorrow. That was the message former Super Bowl champion, Keith Jackson, shared as the keynote dinner speaker at the Ohio Damage Prevention Summit in September.

A humorous and animated speaker, Jackson regaled the audience with stories from his days on the field, first at the University of Oklahoma under Coach Barry Switzer and then in the NFL for the Philadelphia Eagles, Miami Dolphins and Green Bay Packers.

Jackson shared life lessons he learned both on and off the football field. Born in Little Rock, Arkansas, Jackson was raised in a single-parent home filled with love and discipline. While he began playing football at the early age of nine for his hometown, his mother also stressed the importance of education.

His athletic skills earned him the attention of several Division 1 colleges and eventually a scholarship as a tight end for the Oklahoma Sooners. However, it is not his skills in football that shine through when Jackson speaks, but his notable pride in completing his Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication in three and a half years.

Quoting from great speakers and writers such as Shakespeare and Martin Luther King, Jr., Jackson told the crowd of damage prevention professionals that they are here to make a difference.
“It is important that when people go to bed at night they know they are safe, not just for today, but for tomorrow,” Jackson said. “I cannot do that, but you can.”

As Jackson talked about the heroes in his life, his mom, his coaches and his fellow players, he reminded the crowd that they too are heroes. Their grassroots movement makes a difference in the lives of others. “Tomorrow is a day we plan and live for. We want to make Ohio a safe place to live for tomorrow,” he said driving home his point. “You do not know whose life you may be saving and what that person may grow up to be or do. What you do here every day is making a difference.”

Jackson talked about embracing change and learning from it. He recalled the day he found out he was being transferred to the Green Bay Packers. He was in London’s Heathrow airport waiting for a flight home when he heard the news.

He had begun his career as the thirteenth pick of the first round draft in 1988 with the Philadelphia Eagles before moving to play for three years in Miami. In Green Bay, the temperatures were much different, Jackson said. He remembered his first day driving into Michigan and looking at a bank sign where it was so cold, the temperatures did not even show. “See, even the sign knew it was too cold to be there,” Jackson said with a laugh. With the help of his friend and former Eagles teammate Reggie White, he was convinced that Green Bay was the place for him.

During his two years with the Packers, Keith recorded 53 receptions thrown by Brett Favre for 647 yards and 11 touchdowns. In 1996, the Packers won Super Bowl XXXI, giving Jackson his first Super Bowl ring. His ring was a huge hit with those sitting at his table during the Summit, as he allowed each of them to try it on during dinner and take a few snapshots with it.

Jackson, who was selected to the Pro Bowl in 1996 and retired from the Packers in 1997, joked with the crowd that no one should get accustomed to the ring, as it was something he treasured and wanted back.

Jackson continued with stories about his life on and off the field. He used his football stories to teach life lessons. It is his mission to use his experiences to motivate and inspire people of all ages. His easy going manner and good-natured spirit helped motivate all in attendance.
Whether it was his football stories, Shakespearean quotes, tales of growing up in Arkansas or his crowd-pleasing Buckeyes chant of O-H-I-O, those who heard Jackson speak at the Summit were inspired to go out and make a difference in the lives of others and help create new tomorrows for everyone who lives and works in Ohio. “Plan and live each day for a better tomorrow,” Jackson instructed.

Roger Lipscomb
President/Executive Director
Ohio Utilities Protection Service