His lack of size didn't stop him from excelling as a defensive back at Wai'anae High and the University of Hawai'i.

And heart surgery Nov. 21, 2002, isn't going to stop him from living his childhood dream of playing professional football.

Jackson, 23, deemed himself "back to normal" and signed with the Hawaiian Islanders of arenafootball2 last week.

"I live and die football, and when I get a chance to play football it's an honor and a privilege," said Jackson, who completed his UH eligibility in 2001.

Jackson's surgery, performed at The Queen's Medical Center, involved replacing a damaged heart valve with a healthy valve harvested from a pig. A bacterial infection, which likely entered his body through his tattoos, according to doctors, damaged the heart valve, he said. When Jackson left the hospital nine days after the surgery he weighed 145 pounds, nearly 25 fewer than his playing weight.

"Nate's an inspiration, absolutely," Islanders general manager Chris Dey said. "Even before the surgery because he is an overachiever. He'll be a nice complement to the defense."

Jackson was an all-state player at Wai'anae and a four-year starter at free safety for UH despite being one of the smallest players on the roster at 5 feet 10 and 168 pounds. He was known as a big hitter and always seemed to be in position to make plays.

"People know what Nate Jackson brings to the table," Islanders head coach Cal Lee said.

"He brings desire, dedication and hard work. Fans enjoy watching him play. Anytime fans come to a game they have a player they want to watch. Nate Jackson is that kind of player. People like the way he plays; he gives them entertainment."

NATE JACKSON

"I'm (about) 20 pounds heavier than when I was in college," he said. "I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of damage I can do. Hopefully this 20 pounds can help me."

Jackson said he's looking to put the surgery behind him and he'll take the field the same way he has in the past.

"When it comes to football, to me, there's only one mindset," he said. "If you're going to do it, do it. If you're scared don't play."

Jackson served as a volunteer coach at Wai'anae High this past season and said he trained five days a week with his brother, Curtis, a 6-foot-3, 235-pound junior offensive lineman for the Seariders.

Jackson said he won't be in football shape until he actually hits someone. Islanders' training camp begins in mid-March and the af2 season begins in early April.

Lee mentioned one possibility for next season is having Jackson and veteran Eddie Klaneski start at defensive specialists.

Jackson said he was contacted by defensive coordinator Doug Semones about playing for the Islanders while at a Wai'anae-Kahuku game in August.

"I talked to Coach Semones," Jackson said. "I said I wanted to play football, I've been cleared for the past seven months. He said come check us out. It was something that was meant to be."

Jackson signed a free-agent contract with the NFL's Tennessee Titans in 2002, but left training camp and returned to Hawai'i to tend to family matters. He was admitted to Queen's in October of that year because of muscle pain, cramps and chills. Doctors later discovered his damaged heart valve.

Jackson dropped out of school during the surgery, but returned in January to work toward his sociology degree.

"My degree is the most important thing," he said. "I'll probably be graduating in May."

Playing for the Islanders will bring happiness to Jackson's family members, according to him.

"They'll be more than happy to have something to do on weekends," Jackson said. "My brother doesn't play (during the af2 season). They won't have to go (work) in the yard and go shop."