Ex-Isu Player Hopes To Walk

Former Idaho State cornerback Marcus Jackson, paralyzed last year by a football injury, still has a dream.

Less than a year ago it was to play in the National Football League. Now it’s just to walk.

“I’ve already picked out the cane I’m going to walk with,” he said.

Last Sept. 21, Jackson made a routine tackle against Western Montana that caused a neck injury that paralyzed him. He was hospitalized for months.

He returned this week to Idaho State to finish his business degree and continue rehabilitation. He said his future includes finishing school and starting his own business.

He will receive 24-hour-a-day home-nursing care and daily rehabilitation while he takes five courses at ISU this fall. He needs 30 credits to graduate.

The most important part of his future is focusing on a task most people take for granted.

“I’ll skip class to go to therapy,” he joked. “Both of them are important to me, but walking is more important.”

He has made remarkable progress. He can raise his shoulders, move his toes, balance himself and sit up on his own.