TMI: Tim Hortons the secret for E-Jack?

Perhaps the secret to Ernest Jackson’s success is hidden in a Tim Hortons coffee cup.

Before each and every game, Jackson has to have a cup of Joe. Dark Roast. Two sugars. No exceptions.

Then he can hit the field and make incredible catches – like that one he caught in overtime to win the 104th Grey Cup for the Ottawa REDBLACKS in 2016. You remember, right? Jackson hasn’t forgotten. It’s still his favourite football memory.

One of his ex-teammates is who he’d want to be stranded on a deserted island with.

Not because that ex-teammate would be able to help him survive though. Nope. That ex-teammate would be able to make Jackson laugh.

Get to know Jackson a bit better away from the gridiron in this edition of TMI.


Kristina Costabile: Tell me something fans might not know about you?

Ernest Jackson: I like to draw. I have pretty good drawing skills. I really like cartoon characters and I like graffiti as well. I was really big into art back in high school. I feel like art is one thing I do that not many people would know.

KC: Do you think that if you weren’t a football player, is that the route you would have went?

EJ: I probably would have went somewhere in that field, somewhere with computer designing or something with art. Some kind of graphic design or some type of interior designer. I would have went in that direction for sure.

KC: What’s on your pre-game playlist?

EJ: Everything, I guess! I listen to a lot of hip hop before games. One of my favourite artists is Fabolous, I listen to a lot of New York rappers. That’s originally where I’m from so growing up (I listened to them).

KC: Do you have any pre-game superstitions or routines?

EJ: I’m not a superstitious type of guy. I have to have my coffee. I drink a coffee before every game.

KC: How do you drink your coffee?

EJ: Two sugars in there, strong dark coffee.

KC: Tim Hortons, right?

EJ: Of course it’s Tim Hortons!

KC: If you could be stranded on a deserted island with any one of your teammates, who would it be and why?

EJ: Nik (Lewis). Nik is funny. He is hilarious. I think I’d be stuck on an island with Nik. He’d be great entertainment.

KC: What about building the shelter and what not?

EJ: I can do that! I can do the shelter stuff, fish on my own. I just need someone to communicate with so I won’t be sitting there looking at myself crazy. What’s the movie that the dude is talking to the volleyball?

KC: Cast Away!

EJ: Yeah! I don’t know if I could handle that right there, I might go crazy.. talking to the Wilson football.

KC: What is one thing that you could eat for the rest of your life?

EJ: That’s a good question… if there was one thing.. I would say ox tail but it might kill me in the long run. I love ox tail with rice and beans.

KC: What is your favourite football memory?

EJ: I’m going to have to say the Grey Cup. Winning it and the bobble (catch). That touchdown is always going to be probably on the top of my list unless something else comes close.

KC: If you could have a super power what would it be?

EJ: If I could have a super power I think it would be healing people.