Trenton James Jackson, Sr.

"Just a brief note to thank you for all your help at the RFK Stadium dedication activites. I know the children will never forget the day they met their favorite sports heroes. The members of my family appreciate it more than we can say."

"I was in school and a member of the football team when Trenton participated in football, track, and baseball. He truly was an exceptional athlete, earning three letters in football, three letters in track, and one in baseball, a feat that has not yet been duplicated."

"My father had passed away when I was younger. Mr. Jackson was my gym teacher and my coach. When my mother passed away, Mr. Jackson sat at the church and greeted people as if we were his sons. That meant a lot to me and my brothers. He stayed at the church all day!!"

"Trent’s contributions to the sport of track & field and the U.S. Olympic effort will not be forgotten. We remember him with great respect and honor."

"I would like to thank you personally for your contribution to sports and the spirit of friendly competition which the games epitomize throughout the world. Congratulations on being an Olympian."

"Trent was a great man in many ways. Not only was he a winner in the sports arena, but he was likewise a winner when it came to being a role model and a mentor for young people. Trent was a true champion – a champion on the field and off. By promoting wholesome values such as educational achievement and fair competition, he earned the love and respect of countless young people whose lives he influenced in a most positive way."

"I was trying to make a decision on whether to sign to play professional baseball or continue my education and baseball career at a major university. Because I waited to make my decision the schools that had offered me a scholarship had figured I wasn't coming so they moved on. I explained my dilemma to Coach and he told me he would call the coach at the University of Illinois and let him know that I was looking for a school. The coach immediately called and offered me a full scholarship and I was on my way. Because of TJ's genuine kindness and willingness to care in both word and deed he was instrumental in the working out of God's plan for my life and the lives of many others."

"I know Trent loved children and showed this through his dedication as a coach. He loved his family and he loved his friends. We Olympians from the 1964 and 1968 games have a special bond that is not seen in any other Olympians. The struggles we faced, we faced together."