NFL quarterback Tarvaris Jackson -- who reportedly made more than $13 MILLION during his 9 year career -- requested a public defender in his assault case ... claiming he has no cash to his name.
It's all laid out in court docs obtained by TMZ Sports ... stemming from a June 24th incident in which the ex-Seahawks QB allegedly pulled a gun on his wife and threatened to shoot her.
33-year-old Jackson was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and faces prison time if convicted -- but instead of locking up an expensive high powered attorney, Jackson requested a public defender .