Ex-Warrior Jackson needs heart surgery
By Stephen Tsai and Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writers
Former University of Hawai'i football player Nate Jackson is hospitalized in serious but stable condition with a viral infection that will force him to undergo heart surgery, UH officials confirmed yesterday.
Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser
Jackson was admitted to The Queen's Medical Center Oct. 24 after suffering complications from what was diagnosed as a viral infection.
UH players, including Cameron Hollingsworth, had the letters "NJ" taped to their helmets in honor of Nate Jackson.
A school official said Jackson is expected to soon undergo surgery to replace a heart valve. Doctors are awaiting for Jackson's condition to stabilize before performing the surgery.
UH football coaches learned of Jackson's condition after returning from a road game to Fresno last weekend. The coaches have visited Jackson several times, and the defensive backs went to the hospital Wednesday night.
"He's like a son to me, and it hurts very much to see him in pain," said assistant Rich Miano, who coaches the UH defensive backs.
The Warriors wore "NJ" taped to their helmets during last night's game against San Jose State.
"He's family to this whole team; the whole team feels his pain," said graduate assistant Jacob Espiau, who played alongside Jackson in the UH secondary. "In the four years I've played with him, he's given so much. He's played injured every single game. You just get inspired by that."
Espiau said he has twice visited his former teammate in the hospital and "every day he gets better and better."
"It's hurting him, but he's battling," Espiau said. "He's one of the strongest guys I know. If anyone should pull through, it's Nate."
Jackson, a 1998 Wai'anae High graduate, was a four-year starter at free safety for UH before completing his football eligibility last December. He competed in the Tennessee Titans' training camp before leaving to tend to family matters.
Jackson also is a senior outfielder for the UH baseball team. He played baseball in 2000, and briefly last season before concentrating on football workouts. He returned this fall.
"He's a tough guy, and we know he's going to make it," Miano said. "We're all pulling for him."
