Loyalty between former NFL teammates sometimes has no boundaries.
Showing up to honor his friend and former teammate running back Fred Jackson—whom the Bills released on Monday—was safety Aaron Williams who reported to practice wearing Jackson’s No. 22 jersey.
Bills safety Aaron Williams has always been close with Fred Jackson. Wearing his jersey today. pic.twitter.com/AUFXxQgmXR
— Mike Rodak (@mikerodak) August 31, 2015
While wanting to support Jackson, who Williams has played with the last three years, Williams also didn’t want to ruffle any feathers with his new head coach Rex Ryan by wearing the jersey. Therefore Williams sought Ryan’s approval about wearing the jersey, for which the coach gave the thumbs up.
https://twitter.com/MatthewFairburn/status/638431074884956160
Longtime fans of Jackson are likely using Ryan’s face as their dart board today. However, it may ease their minds to know that cutting Jackson was not an easy task by Ryan who said it was “the toughest day” he has had so far with the Bills.
#Bills Rex Ryan: "Rough day for a coach… Fred Jackson… Heckuva football player and tremendous person… Toughest day I've had here."
— Adam Benigni (@AdamBenigni) August 31, 2015
Williams wasn’t the only player to show support for Jackson. Middle linebacker Preston Brown also posted this simple tween in honor of the Bills former back.
#22 ✊🏾
— Preston Brown (@PB_Number2) August 31, 2015
While Jackson must be devastated about hearing this horrible Monday morning news, there is the hope that perhaps another NFL team in need will appreciate what he still has to offer. Jackson now becomes one of the best free-agent running backs on the market.