Long before Doug Flutie, the modern-day college football star who found fame in the Canadian Football League, there was Knoxville native Jack Dickerson, known to all Mississippi State University and CFL fans as Jackie Parker. An All-City tailback at Young High School in 1949, Parker played two years at Jones Junior College in Ellisville, Mississippi, before being offered a football grant-in-aid by Mississippi State. In his two years at MSU, Jackie became the school’s hero. Twice an All-SEC selection, he was also the “Nashville Banner’s” Most Valuable Player in the conference for two years. Parker led the team in rushing, scoring, and passing. He was also the punter, extra-point kicker, and one of the league’s best defensive players! Still, his best years lay ahead of him. He signed with the Edmonton Eskimos of the CFL and became a legend in Canadian football. Parker led the Eskimos to three Grey Cup championships and was a three-time winner of the Schenley Award, given annually to the outstanding player in the CFL. After his illustrious playing career was over, he stayed in the CFL, first as coach and then as general manager of the Vancouver Lions. Parker is a member of many halls of fame including the Canadian Football League Hall of Fame and the National Football Foundation Hall of Fame. The state of Tennessee is proud to call the famous Mississippi State and CFL star Jackie Parker its native son.
