By Lynn Saternow
Herald Sports Editor
They say that what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Former Sharon High athletic great Marlin Jackson is a living example of that philosophy.
The Indianapolis Colts’ standout for a second straight season saw his field action cut short by a torn ACL. But while some people might wonder — “Why me?” — Jackson maintains a solid, positive attitude.
“It’s definitely frustrating,” said Jackson, a Michigan University All-American who helped the Colts win a Super Bowl championship in 2007. “But there’s nothing I can do about it. To tear the ACL in both legs in two years ... Other injuries are always something you play through.
“But I still have a positive outlook. I’m only 26, so if it has to happen, it’s good that it happens while I’m young.”
Jackson, who has always believed in giving back to the community, said that while he rehabilitates the knee after recent surgery, he’ll do more work with his foundation: Fight for Life. He said he hopes to spread the work with help from teammates to areas of Indianapolis, Pennsylvania, Dallas and Virginia. “I hope to continue to grow that,” he said of his foundation that helps youngsters.
In fact, through the “Build A Dream” part of his program, he’ll be hosting about 20 kids from Sharon 6th grade at the Denver-Indy game this Sunday. He entertains a group from Sharon each year. The kids enjoy a bus trip, game and pizza party with the ex-Sharon great.
“It’s a lot of fun,” he said.
What isn’t fun is the grueling rehab he undergoes to return to the field. “I’ll rehab here in Indianapolis for about 3 months, then go to Arizona for rehab for a couple of months. I’ll be ready by training camp. Coach (Jim) Caldwell and the team have been very supportive.
“The way I’ve handled myself with the team, I’ve earned a lot of respect with teammates and the coaching staff.”
In fact, his team voted him the Abe Block Courage Award winner for someone with injuries who does a lot for the community.
There is at least one good result to come from being sidelined. “The last two years have taken a lot of wear and tear off my body,” he said. “I know what I have to do; I know what it takes to rehab. Last year’s injury was worse.”
After missing the 2008 season after ACL surgery, he returned strong at the start of 2009. But he tore the ACL in his other leg during an Oct. 4 win over Seattle.
”I never had any problems (with the repaired knee) after I came back this year, other than a little tendinitis when I first was back playing. Nowadays they fix you better than you were. In the old days like the ’80s and late 70s, your career was over.”
Jackson would have been an unrestricted free agent after this season and could negotiate with other teams, but because the NFL and players union haven’t reached a collective bargaining agreement yet, he will probably be a restricted free agent and can be tendered by the team.
“I’ve very happy here,” he said of his role with the Colts. “I would love to spend my whole career here.”
The Colts are still undefeated this season, even without Jackson and All-Pro Bob Sanders, an Erie native who is also rehabbing an injury, in the defensive backfield.
“(Our replacements) are playing well,” he said. “The Colts did a good job drafting. No matter who’s out, people step in and do the job.
“I can’t wait to get back. I feel like God let me get to a certain height in my career and this happens. I still have all my goals and everything I want to do. I’m still focused on all my goals.
“That’s made it easier, because I’ve gone through this before. But it’s hard to sit out and watch. I couldn’t watch football last year. I felt so frustrated.
“But that taught me a lot of patience. I trust in God and know he has a plan for me.
“I’m taking that motivation to another level. Everything I always wanted, now I want it more.”
Sports
Related Photos
Ex-Sharon star Marlin Jackson battles back from 2nd ACL tear
- Sports
-
-
PIAA Track: Hickory's Bell, Lubarski, Regginello grab gold
SHIPPENSBURG — There’s a big difference between being seeded 1st and finishing 1st — Matt Bell can attest to that.
After settling for silver last year, the Hickory High senior put the shot 59 feet, 6 3/4 inches Friday afternoon to garner gold at the annual PIAA Track & Field Championships at Shippensburg University. -
WM to play for D-10 baseball title; GC, Sharon, Sharpsville lose
Four area baseball teams were in action on Friday in the District 10 semifinals as the squads battled to compete for District 10 championships on Monday.
West Middlesex rolled past error-prone Linesville, 8-0, in Class A action at Slippery Rock University’s Jack Critchfield Park.
In Class AA, both Sharon and Sharpsville suffered 2-1 losses. The Tigers fell to Saegertown at Ainsworth Field in Erie while the Blue Devils lost to Titusville at SRU.
In Class AAA, the Grove City Eagles were denied the chance to defend their D-10 crown after suffering a 6-3 loss to Warren at SRU. -
Farrell volleyball falls in D-10 semifinals
The Farrell High boys volleyball team suffered a 2-0 (25-15, 25-12) loss to Saegertown on Thursday night in the District 10 semifinals at Meadville Area High’s “House of Thrills.”
“This was the first year we made it out of the first day (pool play) of the playoffs,” said Steelers’ coach Dan Dragicevic. “I’d like to cite my seniors (Eric Demus, Anthony Perkins, Jaylen Chambers and Lawrence Hughes). -
Locals ready to go for gold at Shippensburg
Now that Mercer County is on the map, it’s incumbent upon the area aggregation to chart a course for the ultimate destination — Seth Grove Stadium’s medals stand — during this weekend’s PIAA Track & Field Championships.
Led by West Middlesex High sprinter Clay Allen, many Mercer Countians are seeded at or near the top of their respective events for the annual 2-day marathon at Shippensburg University, which commences 9 a.m. Friday. It will continue beginning 9 a.m. Saturday. -
D-10 Playoffs: Local teams go 6-for-6
ä Grove City 1, Harbor Creek 0 — At Slippery Rock University’s Jack Critchfield Park, what the Grove City Eagles couldn’t accomplish themselves, the Harbor Creek Huskies unwittingly did for them.
Unable to plate runs themselves, Torin Smith scored the Eagles’ only run when teammate Tyler Devine’s seeming inning-ending pop-up to left field was dropped by Harbor Creek’s Chris Merritt in the bottom of the 7th inning of Tuesday’s tourney opener. -
Great year for WM track; local qualifiers listed
It’s been a big year for the Big Reds.
Though there’s no official documentation, the 2011-12 academic year may be the most successful in West Middlesex High’s athletic annals. -
SPORTVIEW: Local names Kroko, Lutz, Kareklas in news elsewhere
IT’S ALWAYS GOOD to hear of former area people who have gone on to athletic success in other areas, or the family of former area residents. Following are a few of those stories:
ä Bob and Betty Kroko of Sharon are avid followers of professional baseball. No, not necessarily the Pittsburgh Pirates or Cleveland Indians like many local fans.
The Krokos keep a close eye on the Austria Major League! -
Petty an all-around great athlete in track and gymnastics
When Mercer County’s contingent convenes at the annual PIAA Track & Field Championships this weekend, it will be well represented
Clay Allen, Matt Bell, John Yohman, Johnathan Jacoway, Jeremy Jansco, Nico Zahniser, DeShawn Coleman, Dan Jaskowak, et all, should haul home some hardware. But with all due respect, the aforementioned young men may or may not be best athletes in the area’s aggregation that will assemble this weekend at Shippensburg University. -
Lubarski, Richards, Petty, Allen shine at D-10 Track Championships; Hickory girls, WM boys team champs
Hickory High’s high-jump state champion Lauren Lubarski suffered a severe blow to open her competion at the annual District 10 Class AA Track & Field Championships Saturday at Hickory HIgh Stadium.
She failed to qualify for state in the event she had won the previous year. -
Baseball, softball D-10 playoff pairings
The District 10 pairings for the baseball and softball playoffs have been released. Five area baseball teams and four (possibly 5) softball squads have qualified.
- More Sports Headlines
-
