United Indoor Football

Former Bandit Fred Jackson makes Buffalo Bills opening day roster

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September 3, 2007 - Sioux City, IA - Today the Sioux City Bandits are pleased to announce that former player Fred Jackson has been named to the opening day roster for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). Jackson is the first player to advance from the UIF to an NFL 53 man regular season roster.

Jackson went to Bills training camp this season after spending the 2006 season on the Bills practice squad. He also had a stellar season for the 2006 NFL Europe Rhein Fire. In the four game 2007 pre-season schedule Jackson played in every game, rushed for 125 yards, caught passes for another 142 yards (including 80 against the Titans) and scored three touchdowns.

“When I came into camp this season I told myself to work hard and see what happens and now I have realized my dream to make it to the NFL. The two years that I spent with the Bandits in Sioux City were years that I had a lot of fun and played with some great players. The fans in Sioux City were great,” Jackson said.

Jackson was competing for one of four running back spots and is listed fourth on the Bills depth chart behind Anthony Thomas (Michigan), Marshawn Lynch (California) and Dwayne Wright (Fresno State). The 2004 graduate of Coe College in Cedar Rapids, IA and native of Fort Worth, TX is one of a handful of NCAA Division III players that have ever made it to the NFL.

In the 2005 season with the Bandits Jackson put together a season that will be tough to duplicate. In 18 games he rushed for 1,770 yards, averaging 98 yards a game. He scored 53 touchdowns—40 rushing, 11 receiving and two on kick returns. He rushed for 168 yards in the United Bowl I championship game against Sioux Falls.

United Indoor Football is the premier indoor football league of North America and is committed to serving its teams and fans. Please contact the UIF league office with any comments, concerns or suggestions.

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