Drafted in the fourth round of the 1973 NFL Draft out of Louisville, Tom Jackson arrived in Denver as an undersized, fast-flowing weakside linebacker. He quickly claimed a starting job in Joe Collier's 3-4 front and became the emotional heartbeat and outspoken leader of the iconic "Orange Crush" defense. Jackson's range, high football IQ, and sideline-to-sideline pursuit helped transform the Broncos from a historically struggling franchise into an AFC powerhouse.

Jackson's career trajectory reached elite standing during the storybook 1977 season. Spearheading a defensive unit that carried Denver to its first AFC Championship and Super Bowl XII appearance, Jackson earned First-Team All-Pro honors and his first Pro Bowl selection. He followed that up with two more consecutive Pro Bowl trips in 1978 and 1979. Operating as an effective blitzer and intermediate coverage defender, he routinely turned opponent mistakes into points, returning three of his 20 career interceptions for touchdowns.

Remarkable longevity defined Jackson's 14-year run in Mile High. He missed minimal action across his career, starting 177 of his 191 games—a durable total that trails only John Elway and Jason Elam on the franchise's all-time games played list. Near the tail end of his playing days, Jackson provided crucial veteran leadership for the 1986 squad that captured another AFC crown, making him one of just four players to appear in both Super Bowl XII and Super Bowl XXI for the franchise.

After retiring following the 1986 season, Jackson smoothly transitioned into a second iconic career as a broadcaster. Joining ESPN in 1987, he spent nearly three decades alongside Chris Berman on NFL Primetime and Sunday NFL Countdown, becoming one of the most recognizable and revered studio analysts in sports media history until he retired from broadcasting in 2016.

Jackson spent 14 seasons with the Denver Broncos (1973–1986), playing 191 games with 177 starts. He recorded 20 interceptions for 340 yards, 3 defensive touchdowns, 40 sacks, and 8 fumble recoveries. A three-time Pro Bowler, All-Pro, two-time AFC champion, and six-time team MVP, Jackson was inducted into the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame in 1992.