Franshaw “Boo” Jackson made a name for himself as the quick-footed Ohio University quarterback who could hurt you running just as much as he could passing.
But since hanging up his cleats it’s been the Athens County Municipal Court — not opposing defensive lineman — that he’s been evading.
The court issued a warrant for Jackson’s arrest on April 14, after the former Bobcats star failed to appear at an April 8 court date. Court officials confirmed today that Jackson has still not appeared.
“It’s still an active warrant,” said Pam Walton, the clerk of courts.
Jackson was due in court after being given a disorderly conduct citation in February for an altercation outside The Pigskin, a bar located at 38 N. Court Street.
The incident was at least the second time in three months Jackson had been involved in a fight at an uptown bar.
The citation states that Jackson was involved in a fight outside of the bar at around 2:30 am on the February 13. Police at the scene said Jackson attempted to continue the fight even after officers arrived and had blood shot eyes and there was alcohol on his breath.
Police told Jackson to go home with his friends but say he continued to act belligerent and hostile even after the warning.
“The (defendant) walked about 10 feet away and then continued to act (turbulent),” according to the police citation.
Jackson appeared at his preliminary hearing Feb. 15 and entered a not guilty plea, but he did not show up to his April 8 court date. Court documents list Athens attorney Robert Toy as Jackson’s lawyer. Toy could not be reached for comment.
Disorderly conduct is a misdemeanor that carries a $139 fine. If and when Jackson does appear in court, he will face additional fines for failure to appear for his original court date.
The most recent bar fight is the latest event in what has seemingly been a rough stretch for the former Bobcat standout.
Just three months earlier Jackson was hospitalized after a fight outside Courtside Pizza and Bar, another uptown bar, on Nov. 5.
Athens Police Officers said members of the football team rushed the bar’s south entrance in order to sneak in one or two people who were either underage or did not have identification.
A fight between football players and bar staff ensued and Jackson was knocked unconscious and hospitalized. No charges were filed stemming from the incident and Ohio Athletics did not level any disciplinary actions against the players involved in the November altercation.
The injuries kept Jackson out of practice for a week and he was listed as “questionable” for the Nov. 16 football game against Temple. Jackson did appear in the game, completing four of his 12 passes for 78 yards in a 31-23 victory.
That win helped propel the Bobcats to their second consecutive bowl game appearance, but academic issues then threatened to keep Jackson off of the field.
Jackson was initially left in Athens as the football team traveled to New Orleans for the Dec. 18 R+L Carrier Bowl against Troy in order to deal with “academic issues." The quarterback did eventually join the team in New Orleans, completing 14 of his 21 passes for 209 yards and three touchdowns in the 48-21 loss.
Jackson ended the season with Ohio’s all-time record for passing touchdowns, as he tallied 38 during his three seasons.
The university registrar refused to release Jackson’s current enrollment status, but an OU spokeswoman confirmed that Jackson graduated March 19 with a degree in health services administration.
Jackson is a native of Gardena, Calif., and is currently listed as living at 8 Palmer St. in Athens.
Representatives from Ohio Athletics were not immediately available for comment.
wl372808@ohiou.edu
@ThePostSports
