On Thursday, teammates, coaches, friends and family gathered to remember the life of Solomon Jackson.
A viewing and service for the deceased UB football player was held at The Well Buffalo Church, located near North Campus, Thursday and allowed the team to pay their final respects to their fallen teammate. Pastor Darrick Castronova led the service as music was performed and coaches, teammates and family spoke about Jackson’s life.
UB Athletics said Jackson’s family asked media not to attend the event, but The Well provided a live video stream of the service.
Jackson, a sophomore defensive end, died on Feb. 29 – one week after suffering a medical emergency during a team conditioning session. After the incident, Jackson was taken to Buffalo General Hospital, where he remained in a coma until his passing. UB has not released Jackson’s cause of death, citing federal privacy laws, and Buffalo General said Jackson’s family declined to allow the hospital to release any medical information.
Junior linebacker Jarrett Franklin spoke at the service and said when he first met Jackson, he “knew they would be friends.” He opened up about sharing a home with Jackson and three other teammates during the summer. The players had very little money at the time, but Franklin said Jackson was someone who stayed positive and believed they would “always find a way.”
Jackson’s roommate, junior cornerback Boise Ross, was emotional and had few words, but wanted to thank Jackson’s family for “raising a great man.” Ross also said Jackson was “like a father to me when no one was there.”
Defensive line coach Tim Edwards gave condolences to Jackson’s family before reading John 3:16, John 3:17 and John 3:18, as Jackson was scheduled to graduate with the class of 2018.
Solomon’s sister, Solange, said she used to hate that people only knew her as “Solomon’s little sister,” but that she now realizes it was a great thing.
“I know that when people say ‘I’m sorry for your loss,’ I can say ‘I didn’t lose my brother, I know exactly where he is,’” she said.
Quentin Haynes is the co-senior sports editor and can be reached at quentin.haynes@ubspectrum.com. Follow him on Twitter at @HaynesTheWriter.
