Not unlike the Delaware State and Norfolk State football players who will compete on an NFL field for the first time on Thursday, October 30, at Lincoln Financial Field, former Eagles center Jamaal Jackson's initial game on an NFL field also happened while he was playing for Delaware State, when it took on Bethune-Cookman in 2001. Coincidentally, it was also in Philadelphia, at Veterans Stadium.

"I think it's great for the schools and the programs. It gives them a lot of exposure," Jackson said. "We got a chance to play at the Vet, so it's kind of coming full circle. History is kind of repeating itself, but I guess on a grander stage, given the two coaches that are involved."

Coincidentally again, the two first-year head coaches involved, Delaware State's DeSean Jackson and Norfolk State's Michael Vick, were both teammates of Jackson on the Eagles.

Signing with Philadelphia as an undrafted free agent in 2003, Jackson, an All-Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference selection as a senior, was in his fourth season on the active roster when wide receiver DeSean Jackson joined the team as a second-round draft choice out of the University of California in 2008.

"He was a good teammate. And with our coach at the time, Andy Reid, I mean, he did some things with that guy that I didn't know was possible for a receiver to do," Jamaal Jackson said. "That guy ran so many deep routes during practice, I didn't know how he was going to make it through camp.

"But somehow, he did, and it showed on Sundays. He was such a great tracker of the deep ball. And I think he's a Hall of Famer in my eyes. He had a storied career and was so great at it for such a long time."

Vick was the first overall pick of the NFL Draft in 2001 by Atlanta, and spent six seasons with the Falcons, earning Pro Bowl honors three times. He signed with the Eagles in 2009.

"He was a great guy. He was a great teammate, always willing to help anyone," Jamaal Jackson said of the quarterback who was the Comeback Player of the Year in 2010 after taking over as the starter.

Jamaal Jackson, who will be Delaware State's Honorary Captain, said that Thursday's showcase event will pay dividends for his alma mater, who is 5-3 after Saturday's win over North Carolina Central, as well as all the HBCUs.

"DeSean is doing a great job of implementing the style and, I guess, the attitude that they wanted to put on display. Although it did shock me that they are one of the No. 1 running offenses in the nation. I thought he was going to come with more of an air attack being that he's a deep ball guy," Jackson laughed.

"But yeah, I'm proud of the work that he's done in such a short time. Having him there with his influence, his knowledge of the game, and his ability to reach the younger guys, it's looking up for the school right now.

"Of course, he's following the footsteps of Coach Prime, Deion Sanders, which he had an opportunity to go meet with him and kind of pick his brain about the ins and outs of the HBCU experience. You know, it is not all glamour and glory. There are some hurdles that you've got to climb over to be a successful head coach in that particular field. And I think he's up for it. I mean, he's doing a great job so far. And hopefully moving forward, it can get better, and he can attract more eyes to the program and more talent."

Since retiring from the game in 2012 after nine years, five as a starter for the Eagles, Jackson and his family continue to make their home in South Jersey. He and his wife, Daira, recently opened a restaurant in Glassboro.

"It's a Hispanic soul food spot, Plato Bueno, which is 'good plate' in Spanish," Jackson said. "It's right across the street from Rowan University. We had a soft opening in December, so it's the early phases, but we're coming up on a year. The restaurant industry, it can be challenging early on. You've got to get the clientele; you've got to get the name out there to notoriety. But it's fun.

"I enjoy just seeing the customers when they come in. How they appreciate the meal that they're getting, the atmosphere. It's not some big establishment, but at least you know when you come there, you're going to get a home-cooked meal, or a meal that feels like home."