Edwin Jackson was an undrafted professional football player. He was an un-recruited walk-on at Georgia Southern University before that. And always, from freshman year to free agency as one sportswriter later observed, “the quintessential long shot.” He was signed and cut, re-signed and cut again, until finding a home with the Indianapolis Colts where he recorded 66 tackles in just eight starts.
Last night Jackson was dead by the side of the road. According to a statement by Indiana State Police, the 26-year-old and his Uber driver were killed when Alex Cabrera Gonsales plowed his F-150 into their stopped car.
Gonsales, whose real name is Manuel Orrego-Savala and who didn’t have a driver’s license, was drunk. After the accident, the 37-year-old Guatemalan man was tackled as he fled the scene on foot. Sunday was just the third time he was caught by police. Authorities had deported him first in 2007 and then again in 2009.
Now the tragedy that was compounded by police failures will become a political argument. Someone might point to Jackson and remark, like President Trump did in an analogous recent case, “he had dreams too."
Two Republicans released statements after the crash, Reps. Todd Rokita and Luke Messer — both of Indiana, hoping to challenge incumbent Democrat Sen. Joe Donnelly in the fall.
This news should make all Americans angry. A twice-deported illegal immigrant is suspected of killing 2 Hoosiers, including Colts LB Edwin Jackson. We must do more to get these dangerous illegal immigrant criminals off our streets, build a wall & put an end to illegal immigration https://t.co/mTmGu9iQbd— Rep. Todd Rokita (@ToddRokita) February 5, 2018
A tragic loss for the family and friends of Edwin Jackson and the entire @Colts organization. My prayers are with all those who knew him. #RIP53 https://t.co/83w1L007Tm— Rep. Luke Messer (@RepLukeMesser) February 5, 2018
Donnelly did not respond to request for comment.
Indianapolis is grieving the loss of a great defensive player and the loss of a great man. Teammates flooded social media with memories of Jackson helping his community off the field at shoe drives, at schoolyards, and at Riley Children’s Hospital. “Edwin Jackson always brought a smile to our locker room and the community. Our thoughts are with his family and friends during this difficult time,” the Colts said in a statement. “We will miss him greatly.”
Edwin Jackson loved the game of football and we're thankful to have been a part of his journey. #RIP53 pic.twitter.com/jh8ALwX3SL— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) February 4, 2018
Until November at least, and for better or worse, Jackson’s name will not be forgotten in politics. Hawks on the campaign trail will remind the electorate that people who break immigration laws are more likely to break other laws. They will make his name inescapable with the immigration debate in Indiana.