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closeBeyond the Athlete: Jackson is making a name for himself
Shaun Scott
Citron Jackson said he couldn’t imagine going through life without participating in sports. He won’t have to worry about that dilemma for the next four years.
The 2008 Bonney Lake alumnus will take his athletic and academic talents to Rocky Mountain College in Montana, where he will compete for the Battlin’ Bears football squad this fall. Rocky Mountain is a NAIA school and competes in the Frontier Conference. The campus is a 12-hour drive from Bonney Lake and is located in Billings, Mont.
As a youth growing up in Federal Way, Jackson didn’t envision himself being a star on the football field. Throughout his childhood, Jackson’s favorite sport was basketball until his best friend, Mario Harris, imposed his will on him.
“When we were young I would go watch his football games and sit on the sidelines. He always told me, ‘You should play football. You can do it.’ I told him my sport was basketball. He just kept challenging me until I decided to play football.”
The 6 foot, 180-pound Jackson has clocked a 4.49 in the 40-yard dash and will be competing for playing time in the Battlin’ Bears defensive backfield. Jackson is excited about the opportunity awaiting him at the next level.
“I’m confident. I think I can handle it,” Jackson said. “I’m one of the only members of my family to go to college. I want to make my family and Bonney Lake proud. I can’t wait to get there.”
Recently I had an opportunity to sit down with Citron, asking him a few questions about his life outside of football.
Shaun Scott: What is your favorite movie of all time?
Citron Jackson: It would have to be “3 Ninjas Knuckle Up.” Watching that movie is where I learned to do acrobatic backflips. I get a kick out of that movie.
SS: What will you miss most about Bonney Lake High School?
CJ: I will miss sports and all of the faculty. I loved the atmosphere of the school. Everyone was always so happy. I wouldn’t trade Bonney Lake for any other school. There’s no other school I would rather play for than Bonney Lake.
SS: Who was your idol growing up?
CJ: I actually have two idols. My mom and Kobe Bryant. My mom has always pushed me in whatever I’ve wanted to do. If I wanted to do water polo, she would have supported me in that. She’s basically my best friend. Kobe Bryant is another one of my idols because he’s transformed his game and has grown up to be a man. Early in his career, he was kind of a ball hog but now he’s a team player and more importantly a team leader. He’s always looking out for guys on his team.
SS: What is your favorite restaurant in Bonney Lake?
CJ: I’m going to go with Applebee’s. There aren’t many other restaurants in Bonney Lake.
SS: Where do you see yourself in five years?
CJ: I see myself being in college so I can become a pediatrician. That is one of my ultimate goals. I’m going to work my way to that.
SS: Who is your favorite athlete of all time?
CJ: Isaiah Thomas. He’s the reason why I’ve always wore number 11.
SS: What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
CJ: It was from my basketball coach Brett McDaniel at Bonney Lake. It was, “Do what others aren’t doing. Do whatever it takes to get better and go harder than everybody else.” That’s what I did, too. That meant staying after practice for a few hours or coming in before school to do some extra work to improve.
SS: What is the last book you’ve read?
CJ: The last book I’ve read is “The End of the Wild.” That book really caught my attention. I was excited about reading it every single day.