Meet a man who is "doubt repellant."

I would like to introduce a professional football player to all of you. He's a starting quarterback in the NFL, but has endured a rough-and-tumble road to get to where he is. His name is Tarvaris Jackson. Jackson is a 25-year-old quarterback out of Mongtomery, Alabama, and is currently the starter for the Minnesota Vikings. Jackson was drafted by the Vikings with the last pick of the 2nd round in the 2006 NFL Draft. Jackson played his college ball at Alabama State. You may be thinking, Where the hell is that? Exactly. He originally signed to play at the University of Arkansas, but he soon found out that he would never have much of a chance to get any playing time. So he transferred to Alabama State, a Div. I-AA school. He was a superstar at Alabama State, so much so that the Vikings were willing to take him in the 2nd round of the draft when most teams had Jackson ranked as a 6th or 7th-round talent. Jackson was used sparingly in his rookie season, but was given the chance to start for the Vikings in 2007. He played well, but not spectacular. And I won't rip him for that. The last time he was a starter was for Alabama State, a school that doesn't exactly line up premier competition. The criticism was undoubtedly harsh, with fans and radio hosts and "experts" saying Jackson wasn't qualified to be a starter in the NFL. Enter the year 2008. Jackson outplays 14-year veteran Gus Frerotte and rookie John David Booty in training camp to once again enter the season as the Vikings starter. The Vikings entered the season as a favorite to win the NFC's North division. However, the season didn't start so well for the team in purple. Two games, two losses. And Jackson didn't play well. He completed just 50% of his passes with one touchdown and one interception in those two games. Not surprisingly, Jackson was pulled in favor of the veteran Frerotte. Chalk that up as a victory in the fans' minds. Frerotte played well, leading the Vikings to seven wins in their next 10 games. Week 14 rolls around and the Frerotte-led Vikings play the winless, hopeless Detroit Lions. Frerotte plays horribly in the first half, throwing two interceptions, and in the process injures his lower back. And who is waiting in the wings? Tarvaris Jackson. All that time, 11 weeks after being pulled, when most people would have given up hope, Jackson was standing there ready. According to players and coaches on the Vikings team, Jackson still prepared more than any other player during his time on the bench. His coach called him a "piece of clay," always searching for talented hands to mold him. So what did Jackson do in his return performance? He completed eight out of 10 passes for 105 yards, one touchdown toss and zero interceptions. And he led the Vikings to a 20-16 comeback win. The following week, against the playoff-bound Arizona Cardinals, Jackson led the Vikings to a very impressive 35-14 thumping over their NFC foes. And how did Jackson fare? 11-of-17, 163 yards, 4 TDs, 0 INTs. You've just gotta love this guy. This is a guy who was told he wasn't good enough to play at the University of Arkansas, and was eventually good enough to be a second-round draft pick out of Alabama State. Oh, and here's a fun side note: Arkansas hasn't had a quarterback drafted (in any round) in over 10 years. Take that, Razorbacks. Jackson's road from college obscurity to NFL starter has been challenging, to put it lightly. Terms like defiant, trial-filled, or confrontational are probably more appropriate. And when all seemed lost, when Jackson was pulled to much delight from the fans, he just kept working. This is a guy to root for. With all the troublesome pro athletes making more headlines in the "Jail Intake" section of the newspaper rather than "Sports," Tarvaris Jackson is a guy kids should be encouraged to watch. A guy who plays the game with a smile on his face. A guy who plays the game with kid-like enthusiasm. A guy who wants to learn, who wants to be better. A guy who is doubt repellant. Meet Mr. Tarvaris Jackson. And for those of you who don't like him? Tell him. Then I'll bet on him to make the Pro Bowl next year.