Miami Dolphins

Former NFL player wins 'Food Network Star,' will get own show

Published Aug. 17, 2015 5:48 p.m. ET

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Eddie Jackson had a short, injury-riddled NFL career, but he’s been doing just fine for himself since then.

The former defensive back was signed by 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.

So, with his football career already behind him at 28, Jackson turned to cooking ... and now he’s the “Food Network Star.”

Jackson won the 11th season of the show, which premiered Sunday, with his pilot for “Barbecue Blitz.” The former NFL player will eventually get his own show as a prize for winning “Food Network Star.”

Jackson has been involved in the food biz for some time. He competed on FOX’s “MasterChef” in 2013, and he owns the Caribbean Grill food truck in Houston. Jackson also is a personal trainer and has expanded his brand under the name “Fit Chef.”

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