PITTSBURGH - AUGUST 10: Defensive back Rashard Anderson #46 of the Carolina Panthers looks on from the sideline during a preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Three Rivers Stadium on August 10, 2000 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Rashard Anderson, the former Carolina Panthers and Jackson State University cornerback,Anderson was the last player from Jackson State, a historically Black university, to be picked in the first round of the NFL draft.
Anderson, a native of Forrest, Miss., was a Jackson State standout, and is considered to be one of the greatest to ever play for the school. In 1996 He helped the JSU Tigers win their very first SWAC Championship in school history, and then helped them win the SWAC Eastern Division title in 1999. "Today is a sad day for the JSU family," said Jackson State VP and Director of Athletics Ashley Robinson"Rashard was one of the best players in the history of our football program and an outstanding person. He attended our spring football game in April and was excited about the program returning to championship status. Rashard will always be remembered by Jackson State University, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time.
Anderson was reinstated following the 2003 season, but the Panthers cut him and he didn't get a shot with another NFL team. In 2005 he caught on with the Calgary Stampeders, a team in the Canadian Football League, but wasn't able to make the cut when the roster was whittled down to 40 players. Anderson's playing career ended after his brief stint with the Stampeders. According to Khari Thompson of the Mississippi Clarion Ledger,Devastated over this…Rest in heaven my friend🙏🏾❤️