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ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF
The Toronto Argonauts Football Club is mourning the loss of one of North America’s premier contributors in sports medicine. Dr. Robert Jackson, the Argonauts’ head doctor for 15 years, passed away this week after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.
Jackson joined the Argonauts full time in 1976 and remained a key part of the Argos family until the end of the 1991 season.
A true pioneer in the Canadian medical landscape, Jackson was the first documented doctor to practice arthroscopic knee procedures on athletes after studying the surgery under the tutelage of Dr. Masaki Watanabe of Tokyo, Japan.
In 1991, the progressive doctor made one last major impact on the Argonauts– it was under Jackson’s watchful eye that QB Matt Dunigan was able to prepare his shoulder for battle for his now legendary performance in the 1991 Grey Cup game versus Calgary.
In 1994, Sports Illustrated called Jackson “the miracle of arthroscopy” in a 40th anniversary article which showcased his as one of the 40 Individuals Who Dramatically Changed The Games We Play. In 1997, he was named to the Order of Canada.
Following his time with the Argonauts, Jackson went on to dedicate his work fulltime to athletes Paralympic athletes as well as working for four years with the Dallas Mavericks of the NBA.
He is survived by his wife Marylin and their five children and eight grandchildren.