Former George County Rebel football star McKinnley Jackson honored with jersey retirement and key to the city of Lucedale, MS

Former George County high school football star McKinnley Jackson was back in Lucedale, MS on Monday as his Rebel Jersey was officially retired and he received a key to the city.

Jackson was a standout student-athlete for the Rebels and graduated in 2020. After graduation, Jackson took his talents to Texas A&M where he was named to the SEC All-Freshman team. During the 2024 NFL Draft Jackson heard his name called in the 3rd round by the Cincinnati Bengals. On Monday the former Rebel was back in the city that raised him to have his football jersey retired by the school.

“I paved the ground for the younger guys to make it happen,” Jackson said. “I am proud to look back at all the other guys who are coming up right now. They are doing their thing, chasing their dreams and their goals. I am a big fan of them. It just proves that the proof is in the pudding. If you stay down, stay humble and really put yourself into what you want anything can happen.”