Steven Jackson

One of the things that meant the most to me as a football player was trying to live up to the greats who came before me. For that reason, being one of the six running backs in NFL history who've rushed for 1,000 yards in eight straight seasons or more is one of the accomplishments I'm proudest of. Join me over the next several weeks as I celebrate the legends who paved the way. #8x1K

No question in my mind @JeremiyahLove is a Top 5 #NFLDraft talent and the @Titans should not pass up the chance to add him to their tradition of excellence at the running back position! #STRB

For this week’s episode of The Breakout we’re throwing it way back to the man who was the fourth pick in a loaded 1989 NFL Draft, the late, great Derrick Thomas. One of four @ProFootballHOF selections in the first five picks of that #NFLDraft and he proved worth the pick from Day 1. In fact, he was the Defensive Rookie of the Year in Year 1. But in his second season, he took things to another level with this iconic and record breaking performance against the Seattle Seahawks.

It’s hard to remember a time when @RobGronkowski wasn’t the measuring stick for current and future players at the tight end position. But back in 2010 when the Patriots, coming off two straight seasons without a playoff win, picked him in the #NFLDraft, his status as a future Hall of Fame was far from a foregone conclusion. Then one Sunday night in Pittsburgh against one of the preeminent defenses in the NFL, Brady and Gronk connected for three touchdowns and one of the best QB-TE connections was born! This was Rob Gronkowski’s breakout!

Thank you @gmfb for having me on earlier this week. Talked about my experience mentoring the running backs at the Combine. Excited to see where these great young RBs land in the #NFLDraft next week!

Former NFL RB @sj39 has some advice for those coming into the league 📝

He’s now known as one of the greatest tight ends of all-time. But coming out of @ArizonaFBall, following a year on the sidelines, @NFL scouts weren’t certain what @RobGronkowski’s NFL impact would be. He fell to the second round of the #NFLDraft. Looking for more offense, the @Patriots traded up to take a chance on him. Through the first 8 games of his rookie year, his impact was limited. But in Week 10 on Sunday Night Football in Pittsburgh, Gronk came alive with a hat trick of touchdowns. Relive that game-changing night in this week’s episode of The Breakout.

Champ Bailey had a Hall of Fame playing career and eventually quarterbacks learned to avoid him at all costs. But before he was known for locking down one side of the field, QBs tried to test him as a rookie, and @champbailey made them pay. On one Sunday night in the desert, he loudly announced his arrival.

New episode of The Breakout this week! Coming out of @GeorgiaFootball, there was a thought that @champbailey *could* be something special. But on a Sunday night in Week 6 of his rookie year, he proclaimed loudly that he already was. With a pick-six early and three total interceptions that night, he announced like Ali that the Champ is here! Fifteen @NFL seasons , 12 Pro Bowls and one @ProFootballHOF gold jacket later, we all know now that we were witnessing greatness on that Sunday night of Champ Bailey’s breakout.

With 3 rings and a pair of MVPs in the bag, @patrickmahomes already has a place in the pantheon of all time great quarterbacks. But after a spot start at the end of his rookie year where he was held without a TD pass, his future was anything but certain entering 2018. After a strong opener, a showdown with the perennial Top 10 defense in Pittsburgh loomed. Six touchdown passes later, Patrick Mahomes was on the radar and on his way to an incredible career.

Before @PatrickMahomes was a two-time MVP, appeared in seven straight conference championships and won three Super Bowls, all before the age of 30, he was just a kid out of Texas Tech trying to find his way in the NFL. The @Chiefs gave him the starting job out of the gate in his second season, but even they probably didn’t anticipate the performance he would deliver against the Steelers in Week 2 of that season. Relive it in this week’s episode of The Breakout.

A lot of great wide receivers came through the NFL in the 1990s. But when Randy Moss emerged in 1998, everyone quickly realized we were seeing something completely different. Monday Night in Week 5 was The Breakout. Two touchdowns. Nearly 200 yards. @RandyMoss took the ball and never looked back on his way to the @ProFootballHOF! #ThrowbackThursday #TBT

Randy Moss. Among the greatest to ever do it. A transcendent star from his rookie year. A lot of people remember the Thanksgiving game. Three touchdowns against the Cowboys team that bypassed him in the Draft. An iconic moment. But @RandyMoss' breakout came weeks before that. Monday Night Football. Minnesota in Green Bay looking for their first win there in years. Two unbeaten teams facing off. A legend was born under those Lambeau lights.

As we wind through the NFL offseason on a collision course with the Draft, it got me thinking about those moments when young players announced themselves to the NFL. A new series was born. I'm calling it The Breakout. First up: Before he became @KingHenry_2, Derrick Henry was stuck in a timeshare for his first few years in Nashville. That all changed on December 6, 2018, with a house call for 99 yards which opened all of our eyes to what this big back was truly capable of.

Here’s something you might not know about me: I love a great glass of wine! In the interest of continuing to celebrate Black culture all year round, I’m highlighting three Black-owned enterprises in California where you can experience some of the best 🍷the region has to offer! #Cheers @brownestate #BlackFoodandWineExperience #CasaLoce

In keeping with the theme of celebrating Black culture this #BlackHistoryMonth, here are three more places I’d recommend putting on your list if you’re planning a trip later this year! @SalamanderVA @NopsiHotel @UrbanCowboybnb

You all know I love to travel. Before #BlackHistoryMonth comes to an end I wanted to feature some places I think everyone should visit to learn about Black heritage and celebrate Black culture. If you’re on the East Coast, here are a few can’t miss spots!

Life has a way of coming full circle. A way of saying “you’re getting old” without saying it. On Sunday I watched a young woman sing her heart out and Lift Her Voice at the Super Bowl, and marveled at her talent. What I didn’t know — or hadn’t realized until today — was that same young lady had come through St. Louis, her father a Ram, and blessed us with her talent before a game years ago. Pretty dope to have witnessed both. Congratulations @TheRealCocoJ!

One of this week’s conference championship games might just come down to a kick…. For the Legends Season 6 finale, I wanted to highlight one of the greatest ever to do it, a man as consistent as he was clutch, who at age 38 in his 18th NFL season, drilled the kick that sent the @AtlantaFalcons to a Super Bowl…and kept playing for nearly another decade. Morten Andersen was a star in three decades and kicked his way to the @ProFootballHOF. Salute to you @GreatDane2544!

This week’s episode of Legends highlights a true one of one talent who captivated us all. With his uncanny ability to make video game moves 🎮 a reality for a moment or two, one can only image what @DHall82XFactor might be able to do in a current @NFL offense, or even on a dynamic kickoff return.

Believe it or not, I had Bernie Kosar on the Legends list long before news broke of his successful liver transplant last month. So glad he is in recovery and I’m thrilled to have the privilege to tell his wonderful career story in this week’s Legends. Bernie’s is the type of story that makes you want to be close to the ones you love this holiday season. Wishing you continued health @berniekosarQB!