Ja’Quinden Jackson Wins Prestigious Ty Jordan, Aaron Lowe Memorial Scholarship
Aug 26, 2022, 5:19 PM | Updated: 5:41 pm
Utah quarterback Ja'Quinden Jackson (Courtesy of Utah Athletics)
(Courtesy of Utah Athletics)
SALT LAKE CITY- Utah Utes backup quarterback Ja’Quinden Jackson, has won the prestigious Ty Jordan and Aaron Lowe Memorial Scholarship from the Utah football program.
The highest honor, and the perfect choice to receive it. Congratulations @leg3ndaryjaay, there is no one more deserving of this year’s TJAL Memorial Scholarship. #22forever ♥️ pic.twitter.com/1FRQ0g7Obs
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) August 26, 2022
“The Ty Jordan Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to a student-athlete in the football program who exemplifies the inspiring qualities that Jordan displayed through his work ethic, positivity and perseverance through adversity,” this via a description from the official scholarship page.
Jackson was emotional in his speech to the team after receiving the award, citing how close he was with Jordan and Lowe, who both tragically lost their lives within the span of a year while on the team.
No one more appropriate or deserving of the Ty Jordan and Aaron Lowe Memorial Scholarship than @leg3ndaryjaay ❤️ Can’t wait to see how JJ carries on his friends’ legacies in 2022. #GoUtes pic.twitter.com/WkGdtOTjYt
— Michelle Bodkin (@BodkinKSLsports) August 26, 2022
” I want to thank y’all for letting me represent the guys this year. You all know how close we were, and you know how much they mean to me,” said Jackson.
Lowe won the award last year before being tragically killed in a house party shooting. It’s hard to overstate the level of tragedy the University of Utah football program has been through over the past two years.
The fact Lowe was the last recipient of the award is a stark reminder of a tragic timeline.
The Utes have big dreams ahead of them this season, with the team projected to be a college football playoff contender but this team is still dealing with tragedy.
Time heals wounds but two years is nothing in the grand scheme of a terrible tragedy of this magnitude.
Earlier this off-season the University announced its moment of loudness in the third quarter to remember Jordan and Lowe would return. The tradition has quickly become a fan favorite.
Moments like these make us as a collective sports viewing public step back, there are things so much bigger than the games being played on the field to be mindful of.
Jackson will look to carry on the legacy of Lowe and Jordan as Utah, a team still healing, looks to win a title for two players described only by their smiles and joyous personalities in Utah football fan lore.
You can donate to the Ty Jordan Aaron Lowe memorial scholarship, here.
