Business Management. Death On February 15, 2021, Jackson was found dead by a housekeeper in a room at Homewood Suites near Brandon, Florida. There were no apparent signs of trauma. On February 17, the sheriff of Hillsborough County announced that Jackson's family said he may have suffered from chronic alcoholism, which contributed to his death. He also stated that they believed he suffered from the brain disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), which can only be confirmed after death from a biopsy of the brain. The family responded that the sheriff did not speak on their behalf. They donated Jackson's brain to the Boston University CTE Center. His body was cremated after his family held a private funeral service. Jackson's family confirmed on December 16, 2021, that researchers had discovered Stage 2 CTE in his brain. On December 22, the Hillsborough County Florida Medical Examiner concluded that official cause of Jackson's death was chronic alcohol use. See also List of NFL players with chronic traumatic encephalopathy References External links San Diego Chargers Bio Tampa Bay Buccaneers bio 1983 births 2021 deaths African-American basketball players African-American players of American football American Conference Pro Bowl players American football players with chronic traumatic encephalopathy American football wide receivers American men's basketball players Alcohol-related deaths in Florida Basketball players from Colorado Springs, Colorado National Conference Pro Bowl players Northern Colorado Bears football players Northern Colorado Bears men's basketball players Players of American football from Colorado Springs, Colorado San Diego Chargers players Tampa Bay Buccaneers players Ed Block Courage Award recipients