A rookie free agent signee from Delaware State in 2003, Jamaal Jackson has utilized his big frame and a strong work ethic to not only earn a starting role in the middle of the Eagles offensive line, but a seven-year contract extension that will keep him in Philadelphia through 2013. Jackson spent most of his rookie season on the practice squad and all of 2004 on Injured Reserve with a torn triceps muscle. He was thrust into the starting lineup for an injured Hank Fraley in the final eight games of 2005, before earning the starting role after a training camp battle with Fraley in the summer of 2006.

Career Games Played/Started: (Eagles 2003-07); 2003 (0/0), 2004 (0/0), 2005 (8/8); 2006 (16/16) ; 2007 (16/16). Total: (40/40). Playoff Games Played/Started: 2003 (0/0), 2004 (0/0); 2006 (2/2) Total: (2/2).
Milestones: First game and start: vs. Dal. 11/14/05

2007 HIGHLIGHTS:

• Was part of an offensive line that paved the way for  the NFL's yards-from-scrimmage leader in Brian Westbrook (2,104 yards) and a rushing attack that ranked 2nd in the NFL in  yds./carry (4.7)
• Was named the Eagles most underrated player by CBS Sportsline's Pete Prisco

2006 HIGHLIGHTS:

• Beat out Hank Fraley in training camp to earn the starting center job and went on to be part of an offensive line that allowed just 28 sacks, the team's lowest total since 1981 (22). It was the 6th-lowest sack total allowed in team history since records began being kept of the stat in 1963. The starting line was one of two units in the NFL to start all 16 regular season games (and two playoff games) and together paved the way for the highest net yardage total (6,103) in team history
• Was named to Sports Illustrated's Peter King's All-Pro Team 

2005 HIGHLIGHTS:

• After spending the first 8 games on the Eagles practice squad, was promoted to the active roster and into the starting lineup on 11/9, the same day starting center Hank Fraley was placed on IR with rotator cuff injury
• Started his first NFL game vs. Dal. (11/14/05) and remained there for the rest of the season

2003 HIGHLIGHTS:

• Was promoted to the active roster on 1/7/04 after spending the entire 2003 regular season on the practice squad

• With his mother, Sadie Smith, unable to work because of severe diabetes, Jackson took jobs as a supermarket clerk and in a recreation center to help support his family in high school. "I got first-hand experience paying bills at the age of 17." Jackson is in the process of forming his own foundation for diabetes, and hopes to get it off the ground soon. "There's not enough people who are aware of the severity of this disease. It's a serious disease. It was bad for my mother. At one point, she weighed 60 pounds. She couldn't work. That was rough on all of us." Jamaal bought his mom a house in Miami in the 2007 offseason
• Says people mistake him all the time for Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard, and that a man even stopped him once to congratulate him on a home run

• Resides in New Jersey and Miami in the offseason
• Has twin daughters, Ava and Amaya
• Attended Miami (FL) Senior HS and earned all-state honors as a senior guard
• Also lettered in track and field, participating in the shot put
• Earned his degree in English in just 3 1/2 years. If not playing football, would have pursued a career in teaching and coaching
• Enjoys working with children and participates with numerous charitable organizations, including the Boys and Girls club, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, and Read to Achieve. Also helps out with a daycare center in Delaware which was started by a close friend
• Works with the football programs at Penn Charter High School and his alma mater Delaware State in the offseason, and would like to get into coaching when his playing days are over
• A computer and internet junkee, lists PhiladelphiaEagles.com as his favorite web site. "I go there all the time. It has a lot of multi-media stuff on it and it's very informative with all the video and audio clips. They do a great job."
• Greatly admires the work Eagles offensive line coach Juan Castillo puts in with all of his players. "Juan works with the young kids just as much as the starters," said Jackson. "Whether it is before practice or after."
• A self-proclaimed sneaker freak, currently owns well over 100 pairs of sneakers. His favorite is a pair of retro Air Jordans, which he designed online. He acquired his collection by purchasing a pair of shoes every week over several years, but has since curtailed his habit. Said Jackson: "I couldn't fit them anywhere anymore. I had a shoe in literally every spot in my apartment, the kitchen, the hallway and my entire closet."
• Practiced hard during the 2006 offseason to develop a unique motor skill. He can now wiggle his ears
• Owns a pitbull named Jack, who once dug a hole through his apartment wall. "He was digging a hole to China and almost got there!" His other "claim to fame" is chewing up a 2004 copy of the Eagles media guide. Jamaal recently bought an electric collar for Jack, so he wouldn't "chew his way out of the house"
• Grew up in Miami, but rooted for the rival Buffalo Bills. Jackson's idol was former Bills DE Bruce Smith. "I started out playing defensive line in high school, but the bigger I got I had to convert to the offensive line. I went from trying to be like Bruce Smith, to trying to block guys like him."
• Became a big fan of the Home and Garden Network, "HGTV," as a result of moving to his first house. "They have some great ideas on home design and remodeling. My girlfriend got me into it and now I'm hooked."
• Says his worst part-time job was when he worked at a movie theater and cleaned up after movies, scraping gum and cleaning up popcorn tubs all day. Also worked 10-hour shifts at the wheel weight factory in Smyrna, DE
• Is a fan of both the Phillies and the Marlins. "When they play each other, it's tough. I stay neutral."
• Lists his favorite movie as Napoleon Dynamite
• His favorite basketball player is Tracy McGrady
• Participated as a judge in 610 WIP's "Rib Safari," a contest designed to find the best ribs in the greater Philadelphia area. Judged the ribs on their taste, sauce, appearance and tenderness of the meat
• Full name: Jamaal J. Jackson