Jackie Parker

John Dickerson "Jackie" Parker (c. 1932 – November 7, 2006) was an American football player who became an All-American in college football and an outstanding professional football player in the Canadian Football League at the running back, quarterback, defensive back, and kicker positions. He is primarily known for his play with the Edmonton Eskimos. Later in his career, he played for the Toronto Argonauts and the BC Lions, and coached the Eskimos and Lions after his playing career ended.

Parker was named a member of the College Football Hall of Fame in 1971, and the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 1976. In November, 2006, Parker was voted one of the CFL's Top 50 players (#3) of the league's modern era by Canadian sports network TSN.

College career

Born in Knoxville, Tennessee, Parker played college football for in 1950-51 then two seasons as a member of the Bulldogs at Mississippi State University where he was named to the All-Conference and College Football All-America Teams.

Professional playing career

In 1954, Parker signed with the Edmonton Eskimos of the Western Interprovincial Football Union (which became part of the Canadian Football League in 1958). Nicknamed "Ol' Spaghetti Legs", Parker became one of the most important parts of the Eskimos dynasty of the mid-1950s. Parker played both the defensive and offensive sides of the ball, a practice not so uncommon in his day as...
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