Dexter Jackson Signed Photo

by Pete Adkins
(Tampa, Fl, U.S.)

I was a carpet restoration technician in Tampa Florida. I met Free Safety Dexter Jackson while cleaning a carpet next door to his apartment in a Camden Property on Hillsborough Avenue during the summer of 2002. It is less than ten minutes from the stadium in which he plays and less than seven minutes from One Buc Place where he practiced.

He approached me and asked in a humble manner how much I would charge to clean his carpet. I asked the general questions, "how big is your apartment, how many rooms do you want cleaned, and can I take a look to give you an exact estimate." He said "sure, why not."

When we entered his apartment I immediately noticed some photos, practice gear and one of his game jerseys laying on the back of his sofa. I said nothing, but began walking towards the back of his apartment. After walking the unit, I began telling him what needed to be done and how much it would cost. He said "excellent" and asked if I could do it today. I said I can do it right now, due to that last carpet I cleaned being the last one on my schedule. He said "awesome."

I went outside, got my gear, and got started. After the clean, I wrapped up and closed my doors. He asked me back inside so that he could pay me. He handed me the money for the clean, I gave him his receipt, and told him "thank you and have a nice day." As I began to leave he stopped me and said "do you know who I am?" I said "absolutely, but I didn't want you to think I was a crazed fan by flipping out and asking you a bunch of media-type questions."

I told him "I'm no different than you because we both wake up everyday, and tie our shoes before work as a typical man would. The only difference is you make in one football game what I do in a years worth of work. Not to mention you're Florida State Seminole Alumni, and I am a die-hard Florida Gator. Which by the way congratulations on that loss to the Florida Gators on your career finish in college football."

He broke out in laughter and asked me to sit down a minute. I did, and he asked what my name was, and if I would like a drink? I said "absolutely" and sat on his couch for about ten minutes, talking college football and his career thus far in the NFL, and the conversation turned to him asking for my thoughts and opinions, and what it's like from my perspective.

After talking, he asked if I wanted to hang out and grill some hot dogs and hamburgers because QB Joe Hamilton, and RB Rabih Abdullah were on there way. he thought I would like to have the opportunity to meet them. I'm at this point thinking "what did I do to deserve this?"

After the players arrival and the cordial introductions take place, we go out back and start cooking, talking more, and really having a good times hanging out like we had known each other for years. Mr. Abdullah and Hamilton thanked me for not acting like a maniac and putting them in an uncomfortable situation with a fan. Dexter looked at them and said "I told you over the phone that this cat was different, and that he ain't like them other cats we run into on the streets."

After an hour or so of chillin, I looked at Dexter, and said "thank you for everything, and I appreciate the opportunity to hang out with weekend warriors like we were friends for years." He told me that "it's not too often that we can meet a fan that doesn't swarm and smother us with questions and beg for autographs. You came at me wit this straight-up down-to-earth attitude, and made me feel like there are still people in the world that are not just after you for your status." I said to him again, "we are two people on this earth that were brought in the same, and will leave the same. Probably not in the same manner, but nevertheless the same outcome."

I also didn't want to blow an opportunity at adding more money to my paycheck. He chuckled again and said "Pete I wanna give you something. We were in his living room, and he began removing one of the photos that I noticed on the way in from the frame and then he signed it "To Pete, Thanks for everything, Dexter Jackson #34."

He gave it to me and told me that it is one of his favorite and most prized photos, as it was his first career interception in the NFL. "I know you love the Bucs because you got that Bucs flag in gold around your neck. I want you to have this, and know that I'm giving you this one because you in my eyes are my boy, my boy from Tampa Bay."

He then shook my hand with the more modern hand shake followed by the thumb and fist lock. He then asked if he could have my cell# so he can call me for emergency cleans. I gave it to him, and we began a business/friend relationship.

Here is a picture of the photo with a plaque I had made to recognize him as the SuperBowl MVP on January 27, 2003 in SuperBowl XXXVII.