Simone Jackson’s journey in professional soccer is deeply rooted in her family’s history, a story that began decades ago with her great-grandfather’s experience in the 1930s and 40s. Facing racial discrimination, he was denied the simple opportunity to join his high school swim class, highlighting the racial barriers Black athletes endured. This pivotal event set in motion a lasting legacy that continues to influence Jackson’s career today.
Building Strength Through Generations
The rejection her great-grandfather faced did not define the family’s path but instead became the catalyst for growth. Jackson shared,
“That’s a story that’s passed down from generation to generation now,”
and added,
“It went to my grandfather, who became a coach, which is where things started for us in sports.”
Her grandfather, John Jackson Sr., turned this legacy of exclusion into motivation, coaching football across North Carolina during challenging times before establishing a prominent career at USC. As running backs coach and offensive coordinator from 1976 to 1981, he guided notable players, including Heisman Trophy winners and Super Bowl MVP Marcus Allen, solidifying the family’s linkage to USC athletics and sporting excellence.
The Next Generation: Football and Beyond
John Jackson Jr., Simone’s father, was shaped by his father’s influence and the athletic environment around him. Though not the tallest wide receiver at 5’11”, he excelled with speed and determination, attending USC like his father. He earned recognition as both an athletic and academic All-American while playing football and baseball before advancing to the NFL where he played for the Phoenix Cardinals and Chicago Bears. Beyond his professional career, he also coached Pop Warner football, supporting his children’s athletic development. Simone’s older brother, John Jackson III, followed the family tradition by playing football at USC, donning number 80—the same number his father wore in the NFL—and eventually joining the Chicago Bears as well.
Simone’s Path: Carrying Family Pride on the Soccer Field
Simone Jackson also attended USC, intentionally choosing to wear number 80 to connect with her father and brother, a choice she described as ensuring
“that my family is always with me on gamedays.”
Reflecting on this unique family moment, she said,
“My brother playing for USC football and me playing for USC soccer at the same time—that was peak,”
adding,
“That is a dream. We lived the dream.”
This simultaneous representation of the family’s athletic achievements underscores their collective commitment and enduring bond through sports.
A Growing Family Tradition in Athletics
The family’s athletic success extends beyond football and soccer. Simone’s younger brother, Jaden, is a standout baseball prospect expected to enter the MLB High School Draft as the top player in his class and is committed to UCLA, a rival of their family’s alma mater USC. Jaden has also represented Team USA at the U-18 World Baseball tournament in Japan, winning gold in Okinawa. Notably, the gold medal game took place at the same military base where their grandfather was stationed decades before—a poignant connection Simone described as, “It’s crazy how God works,” and further reflected,
“The crazy crossovers. You’re competing for your country and your grandfather served at that base that you were visiting. We’ve just been super blessed.”
Balancing Academics and Athletics
While the family’s sports legacy is prominent, Simone’s mother, an educator and former track athlete from UCLA, emphasized the importance of succeeding beyond athletics. Jackson explained,
“My mom being an educator, she was always really big on not just being an athlete, but being more than an athlete and putting academics first,”
continuing,
“That’s why I knew I was going to stay at USC for all four years. I got my joint degree in business and film, my minor in screenwriting, and my master’s in entrepreneurship, all in four years.”
This academic dedication reinforces the family’s values, ensuring athletic pursuits coexist with educational attainment.
Support, Not Pressure, Defined Her Upbringing
Jackson described her upbringing in a family of elite athletes as nurturing rather than pressuring. Her older brother served as the family’s “guinea pig,” paving the way for her and their younger brother Jaden. Regarding the family dynamic, Jackson said,
“It was never a pressure-filled childhood,”
and added,
“You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t force it to drink. My family led us to every resource we needed, and we’re super grateful. Ultimately, because they gave us that choice and opportunities off the field, I could quit tomorrow and still lead an entirely happy, joyful, and successful life. Knowing that makes me even better at my sport. Knowing that this isn’t it for me, and this is part of my purpose but not the entire purpose, takes pressure off.”
The Role of Family Sacrifices in Her Success
The support Jackson received went beyond moral encouragement. Her mother regularly drove an hour and a half on the 405 freeway to take her to practice and woke up early to get her brothers to multiple morning sessions. Even simple moments, like enjoying California Pizza Kitchen dinners in the family minivan, became meaningful anchors of home life. Jackson expressed gratitude for these sacrifices, emphasizing perspective:
“You just have to pick your head up and look at perspective,”
she said,
“All those minivan treks were worth it, but it was also only possible because they did as much as they did for us.”
Persistence for Three Generations
Jackson draws inspiration from the persistence that carries through her family’s history. She remarked, “Persistence is in your blood,” emphasizing,
“You have to persist. It may not be fair, but at the end of the day, your ancestors have done so much to put you in that position. My great-grandfather’s perseverance through what he dealt with led my grandfather to keep knocking on the door. That work rate translated to my dad, and he showed us what humble, hard work looks like and how you succeed.”
Overcoming Challenges as a Black Athlete in Soccer
Despite her lineage and achievements, Jackson has faced challenges unique to being a Black player in a sport where representation remains limited. There were moments when she was the only Black player on her team, confronting environments that were not always inclusive. Nevertheless, she persevered, making a significant impact at USC and earning a contract with Orlando Pride midway through her last collegiate season after completing her degree.
Commitment to Representation and Giving Back
Jackson’s passion for storytelling and representation stems from her mother’s influence and her own experiences growing up. She studied film and screenwriting with an understanding of narrative power, growing up watching influential works like John Singleton’s Boyz n the Hood, Spike Lee’s Malcolm X, and films starring Denzel Washington. Explaining her choice to wear her natural hair with pride, Jackson said,
“It’s the reason I wear my hair natural, poofy and beautiful,”
adding,
“So little Black girls can look at me and see themselves in me. That’s something that I definitely had hardship from. Hearing people tell me that, I was only on the team because I was Black. You do it for the girl who is growing up watching you.”
She is also dedicated to giving back to the soccer community. Jackson stated,
“I’m a big person on giving back to the game. After the games, I’m taking pictures, and I train with the girls when I go back home. That’s why I think you pay it forward, even if it was a little bit cumbersome growing up and feeling like you’re the only one. But now you see the space filling up with more and more African Americans playing, and I think it’s beautiful. So I’m a full supporter of getting more and more people in the space.”
A Living Testament to Family and Progress
From her great-grandfather’s exclusion from a swim class to Simone Jackson’s presence as a professional soccer player and scholar, the family’s story illustrates resilience and progress through generations. Jackson summarized her motivation by stating,
“My family is my why. I’m really adamant about that.”
