Sitting on his front porch stoop at his home outside of Demopolis, Eddy Jackson doesn&8217;t seem to fit the imposing fullback persona of a football player at a major Division 1 NCAA program like Auburn University. Of course, Jackson is 73-years-old and hasn&8217;t played football since he was on Auburn&8217;s 1957 national championship team.

After the initial position change at Auburn Jackson, who played high school football at Demopolis High School, said he stayed at fullback for the duration of his time at the school, lettering three out of the four years he played for the Tigers.

Jackson entered the Auburn program in 1954, the fourth year for the program under head coach Jordan, who by the time Jackson graduated turned a program with seven straight losing seasons prior to his stepping into the position into a national champion. In &8216;57 the group allowed only 28 points by opponents all season and shut out six of the 10 teams it played, including the 40-0 over Alabama.

Jackson said, since he played, the game has changed while remaining the same in many facets. He said the game&8217;s progression over the years has, in a way, eased the strain on players, while, in his opinion, made football a better game.

To commemorate the 1957 team, their accomplishments and the 50th anniversary of the national title, the University of Auburn brought members of the team and their families out on the field at halftime of this season&8217;s home game against Vanderbilt. Jackson said the team reunion was an odd homecoming.

Brandon Glover is the sports editor of The Times. He can be reached at brandon.glover@demopolistimes.com.