NASHVILLE – Jha'Quan Jackson is headed back home this weekend.
That storyline is special enough for the Titans rookie receiver, who grew up in New Orleans and played in college at Tulane University.
Making it even better: Jackson will get a chance to see his 104-year-old great-grandmother, who has been an inspiration to him since he was a little boy.
"She's a great, young-looking lady," Jackson said with a smile. "She is all about putting God first, and I love her to death. I talk to her each and every day, and I love her for everything she's done for me.
"She taught me a lot when I was a kid, and let me do a lot of things to learn to be the man that I am. If you get a chance to go talk to her, it's a blessing."
Elizabeth Ann Thomas was born on January 25, 1920, when Woodrow Wilson was president.
Jackson, a sixth-round draft pick on the 2024 who has been a preseason standout, said his great-grandmother still gets around well while continuing to inspire him, and everyone in the family. Thomas lives in Metairie, La., about five minutes from the Saints practice facility.
Jackson, who has eight siblings (five sisters and three brothers), said there was a time when he lived with his great-grandmother, up until the third grade.
"She's a lady who had 12 kids," Jackson said. "My great-grandfather lost his life early, before I was born. She raised all her kids, even working for other people, cleaning up houses. Battling all that, going to work and then coming home and cooking for the kids. She's always been an amazing woman."
Jackson has tried talking his great-grandmother into going to Sunday's Titans-Saints preseason game, even offering to put her in a suite at the Caesars Superdome.
And while it sounds like that won't happen, Jackson said he's planning to see her while in town.
Jackson keeps a photo of his great-grandmother and other family members in his locker at Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park.
"I always want to give her her flowers," Jackson said, "because I love her so much.
"My family, the ones I love, I think of them each and every day. I am doing this for them."
