Damian Jackson receives Armed Forces Merit Award

The award was created, "to honor an individual and/or group within the realm of the sport of football."

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Nebraska outside linebacker, Damian Jackson, has been named the 2021 recipient of the Armed Forces Merit Award.

Congrats to @Djackson_38 on being named the 2021 Armed Forces Merit Award Recipient. #GBR pic.twitter.com/yfHMfvwQi8

— Nebraska Football (@HuskerFBNation) November 10, 2021

According to a press release, the staff at the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl created the award, “to honor an individual and/or group within the realm of the sport of football.”

“Damian’s off-the-field involvement at Nebraska has been remarkable and we have followed his progress in Lincoln for the past three seasons since he was also a finalist for the Armed Forces Merit Award in 2019,” said Brant Ringler, executive director of the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl.

In 2019, Jackson was one of the five finalists for the award. Jackson served four years as a Navy SEAL and became a Husker in 2017.

“Damian has brought accountability, leadership and toughness to our team and helped instill those same qualities in his teammates. His incredible drive and tenacity have allowed him to become a contributor to our football team despite not playing high school football,” said head coach Scott Frost.