Eddie Jackson had a short, injury-riddled NFL career, but he has done just fine for himself since.
The former defensive back signed with the Carolina Panthers in 2004 as an undrafted free agent, then spent two seasons with the Miami Dolphins before tearing his ACL at the end of the 2006 season. The New England Patriots took a chance on Jackson in 2007, but he broke his wrist and was released after playing in just three games.
So, with his football career already behind him at 28, Jackson turned to cooking. And now he’s the “Food Network Star.