Former Liberty running back Rashad Jennings announced on his Facebook page that his father has passed away.
“My dad is with the Lord,” Rashad wrote. “Some of you have wondered why I’ve been so silent these last couple of days. Now that I’ve had time to travel from LA to back home here in Forest, Virginia and gather my thoughts, it is with the saddest, yet also the most joyful heart that I share with you that my dad, the patriarch of my wonderful family, Albert Jennings, has gone home to be with the Lord.”
His father had been fighting with diabetes for numerous years and as a result had to have both of his legs amputated.
“My dad was taken by the Lord at 1:24am (eastern) March 1st, which for me out where I live in LA was 10:24pm (pacific) February 29th (Leap Day),” Rashad stated. “I’ll always remember Leap Day, because throughout his life, my dad took all sorts of courageous leaps to make things possible for us.”
Jennings, a Lynchburg native, began his collegiate football career at Pittsburgh, but after learning of his father’s diagnosis, he transferred to Liberty to be closer to his dad.
Jennings started for the Flames at running back from 2006-2008 under former head coach Danny Rocco. He was then a 7th round draft pick in the 2009 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Jennings’ 8 year NFL career included stints with the Jaguars, Oakland Raiders and New York Giants.
In 93 career NFL games, Jennings rushed for 3,772 yards and 23 touchdowns on 930 carries, good for 4.1 yards per attempt. Rashad also added 191 receptions for 1,469 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Following his football career, Rashad competed and won Dancing with the Stars in 2017 where he opened up about his relationship with his father and even dedicated a dance on the show to his father.
