Welcome back to the RU Strong Podcast, where we dive deep into the stories of athletes who define perseverance, passion, and purpose.

Today, I’m fired up to welcome a young man whosejourney reflects courage, intelligence, and an unshakable belief in hard work, Jackson Proctor.

Jackson grew up in Kent, Washington, and made alife-changing decision to travel 3,000 miles across the country to play football at one of the most prestigious academic institutions in America, Dartmouth College. There, he became the starting quarterback under the late Coach Buddy Teevens, a man who not only revolutionized the game with his approach to safety and leadership but also coached me decades ago when I played at the University of Maine.

Jackson’s story is one of discipline, sacrifice, and growth. From adapting to life on the East Coast and managing therigorous demands of Ivy League academics, to becoming a team leader who helped his program capture multiple Ivy League Championships, Jackson has demonstratedthat true success requires balance in the classroom, on the field, and in life.

In this episode, we talk about what it means to trust your gut, to make tough decisions at 18 years old, to overcomesetbacks like injuries and homesickness, and to embrace the “40-Year Plan” — the idea that what you do during four years of college sets the tone for the next forty years of your life.

Now preparing to take his next step at Northern Illinois University, Jackson Proctor continues to embody the values of hard work, leadership, and humility, qualities that make him not only a strong athlete, but a stronger human being.