What is jackie wallace?

  • Jackie Wallace is a former American football player who played as a defensive back in the National Football League (NFL).
  • He was born on October 16, 1951, in New Orleans, Louisiana.
  • Wallace played college football at the University of Arizona before being selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the fourth round of the 1974 NFL Draft.
  • He went on to have a successful career in the NFL, playing for teams such as the Baltimore Colts, Los Angeles Rams, and Green Bay Packers.
  • After retiring from football, Wallace struggled with addiction and homelessness, which led to a downward spiral in his life.
  • In 1997, Wallace's story gained national attention when a reporter from ESPN tracked him down living on the streets of New Orleans.
  • The reporter, Rick Reilly, helped Wallace get back on his feet and assisted him in finding treatment for his addiction.
  • Wallace's story was chronicled in a book titled "The Life and Times of a Nobody" by Ray Didinger.
  • He eventually turned his life around and became an advocate for helping homeless individuals and those struggling with addiction.
  • Jackie Wallace's journey serves as an inspiring reminder of the challenges that many former athletes face after leaving their respective sports.