Arnold Jackson was my very first favorite Louisville football player. I rocked the cut-off undershirt in flag football solely because of him.
From U of L:
Two University of Louisville legends will see their jerseys honored at L&N Stadium this fall, celebrating their tremendous careers with the Cardinals.
Former wide receiver Arnold Jackson will be celebrated on Friday, Nov. 14 versus Clemson, and wide receiver DeVante Parker will be honored on Saturday, Nov. 29 against Kentucky.
One of the most productive
wideouts in school history from 1997-00, Jackson still holds the school record for career receptions with 300 and receiving yards with 3,670. The pass catcher ranks 25th all-time in NCAA history in receptions and 47th in career yards. At the time, Jackson became the first player in NCAA history to record 300 career receptions.
A two-time All-Conference USA performer, Jackson led the conference in receptions in both 1998 and 1999. The Jacksonville, Fla., native caught a school record 101 passes for 1,209 yards and nine touchdowns in 1999 and broke the school mark for receptions in a game when he recorded 15 against Cincinnati. That year, Jackson was fourth among Division I-A pass catchers with an average of 9.18 catches per game.
The previous season, Jackson caught 90 passes for 1,165 yards and 10 scores, which ranked fourth nationally and had set the Conference record for receptions and receiving yards.
Jackson was an undrafted free agent in the National Football League, playing two seasons with the Arizona Cardinals.
A Louisville native, Parker is one of the most athletic wide outs in school history. The former Ballard High product finished his UofL career with 156 receptions for 2,775 yards and is tied for the school record with 33 touchdowns.
As a junior in 2013, Parker recorded 55 receptions for 885 yards and a school record-tying 12 touchdowns. His 12 touchdowns were tied for 10th nationally and led the American Athletic Conference, which helped him earn first team all-conference accolades. He tied a career-high with nine receptions for 142 yards and one touchdown in the Russell Bowl win over Miami.
In 2012, Parker led the team with 744 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns on 40 receptions. His 10 touchdown receptions were the most by a player in a season since 1998.
His 2014 season was cut short after a preseason injury forced him to miss seven games, but he still caught 43 passes for 855 yards and five scores.
Parker went on to become the 14th pick in the first round by Miami in the 2015 NFL Draft. He played nine seasons in the NFL, catching 402 passes for 5,660 yards and 27 touchdowns.
