Jackson's nickname, "City Champ", came from his days at Pahokee; he has variously said that he chose the name himself or was given it because of his performance on the field.
[2][4] Jackson was known as "the other end" at the University of Pittsburgh due to Hugh Green's presence on the team.
He also played with other future NFL players including center Russ Grimm, guard Mark May, tackle Jimbo Covert, defensive back Tim Lewis, defensive lineman Bill Maas, receiver Dwight Collins, and quarterback Dan Marino.
Although overshadowed by Green,[5] as a junior in 1979 Jackson was a second-team All-East selection and named an honorable mention All-American by the Associated Press and The Sporting News.
Following a game against Army in 1980, in which Jackson recorded 12 tackles, three sacks, a forced fumble, an interception, and a blocked punt, he was named the Sports Illustrated Player of the Week.
[6] On April 30, 2023, Jackson graduated from Pitt's College of General Studies with his Bachelor of Arts in social sciences.
In 1983, he was first-team All-NFC, the first of seven seasons in which he would receive post-season honors in the NFL, including being selected six times for the Pro Bowl (in 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1992, and 1993).
He played the remainder of the 1989 season with his jaw wired and wearing a special helmet, still managing to accumulate 7+1⁄2 sacks during the year.
In his first year as a finalist in 2010, Jackson was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, one day before the Saints won Super Bowl XLIV.