Instant Replay: Utes RB Ja’Quinden Jackson Honors Utah Football With Multiple Tattoos
Oct 6, 2023, 3:22 PM
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 02: Ja'Quinden Jackson #3 of the Utah Utes looks on from the sidelines against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the fourth quarter in the 2023 Rose Bowl Game at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 02, 2023 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
(Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – In a recent video posted to social media, Utah Utes running back Ja’Quinden Jackson walked through his tattoos and the story behind each of them.
In addition to tattoos honoring family and friends, Jackson sports a few tattoos from his time in Utah.
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He has a tattoo for Ty Jordan and Aaron Lowe, the two Utah Football players who tragically died in 2020 and 2021.
RELATED: Ja’Quinden Jackson Finding New Life In Utah’s Running Back Room
He also has a tattoo of his jersey that he wore in the Rose Bowl for the Utes.
Thank you to the fans for your support, from wherever you watched the game. pic.twitter.com/fBCFcudpMr
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) September 30, 2023
Jackson explained in the video that he only gets tattoos that have a purpose or a meaning to him.
He also has a “Legends Never Die” tattoo which honors his late grandpa and friends he’s lost in his life, including Ty Jordan and Aaron Lowe.
Ja’Quinden Jackson, 22 Forever
On top of showing he has what it takes to be a fantastic college running back, Jackson may have one of the best stories in all of sports.
Jackson came to the Utes in 2021 after spending one season at Texas in 2020.
But why Utah?
Jackson grew up with the Utes’ star running back at the time, Ty Jordan who just had a breakout season and had told Jackson Utah was a great place to be if he needed a fresh start. Jackson committed to the Utes on December 20, 2020, with the hopes of playing with his childhood friend once more.
Miss y’all boys man 🤦🏽♂️ It’s crazy because y’all would be the last people on earth that I thought would leave so early💯💔 Y’all gave people life and positive energy when y’all entered the room 💯 Love hall boys forever 🤞🏽 REST UP KINGS I GOT YALL💯❤️ #LLDAGUYS❤️ pic.twitter.com/2JGfKXc2i1
— Ja’Quinden Jackson (@leg3ndaryjaay) February 9, 2021
Unfortunately, five days later on Christmas Day, Jordan tragically died from an accidental self-inflicted gunshot wound. Despite his connection no longer being with the Utes, Jackson still came to SLC and quickly connected with cornerback Aaron Lowe.
Almost nine months to the day later, Lowe was murdered at a house party after Utah football’s game against Washington State on September 25, 2021. Naturally, losing a second connection to his new home left Jackson a little lost in his first season with Utah.
Last season, Jackson was awarded the second 22 Forever Memorial Scholarship in honor of his two friends. Jackson moved to running back a few months later and made his debut at his new spot on the one-year anniversary of Lowe’s death. Quite the way to carry on your friends’ legacy through your own.
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Chandler Holt is a co-host for the Jazz Notes podcast and a Digital Sports Producer for sports.ksl.com, specializing in all things basketball and football. Follow Chandler on Twitter @ChandlerHoltKSL or on Threads @chandlerho1t.
