On Sunday, defensive back Kareem Jackson will be playing at NRG Stadium. However, for the first time, he won’t be doing so wearing Houston Texans’ red and blue. Instead, he’ll be in Denver Broncos’ orange and blue.
Jackson, a 2010 first-round pick from Alabama, spent nine seasons in Houston before opting to move to the Rocky Mountains on a three-year, $33 million deal. Despite leaving the Texans, his return won’t be personal.
“No, it’s not personal. For me, it’s just another game on the schedule,” said Jackson to the Broncos media on Thursday.
Days after signing with the Broncos, Jackson stated that the Texans did not have an interest in resigning him after a standout 2018 campaign. However, the 31-year-old is a “pro’s, pro,” as his defensive coordinator Ed Donatell said on Thursday; emotions won’t mirror onto the gridiron.
“Obviously, with me having ties there for nine years — I’ve never been in this situation going back to a place where I played before. It’ll be good to see some familiar faces and stuff,” said Jackson. “Other than that, it’s another game on the schedule and I prepare the same way I prepare any other week.”
There is a caveat to Jackson’s notion, though: it hasn’t hit him yet. Perhaps when he walks into NRG Stadium as an opponent, it will.
“Honestly, it really hasn’t hit me yet,” said Jackson. “Obviously, just preparing this week. I’m sure once I get there, get in the stadium and start to see a lot of people that I call my friends and a lot of the guys that I played with, that definitely will be very emotional for me. Just trying to keep that to a minimum as much as possible and just continue to focus on what we’re there for.”
Jackson started nine years for the Texans. While he had his ups and downs as a player, he was a fan and locker room favorite in Houston. Now, he’ll just be in town for a quick visit.
