He played college football for the Ole Miss Rebels and in the AFL for the Denver Broncos and the Oakland Raiders.
He was the defensive coordinator of the Houston Oilers in 1972[1] Simpson began his pro career in Canada with the Montreal Alouettes, playing 42 games from 1958 to 1961.
Following his AFL career with Denver and Oakland, Simpson went back to the CFL in 1965, and played with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, and completed the season with the Toronto Argonauts.
Jackie served as an AFL scout in 1966, and after the AFL-NFL merger, he was rehired by the San Diego Chargers to work in the personnel department.
He was beginning his final coaching job, again as defensive coordinator, with the Detroit Lions, when he suddenly died on June 2, 1983.