We here at Life of Dad love to celebrate fatherhood. We think being a father is the best thing in the world. We know the importance of being a good role model to our kids. We were happy to see the Toyota video with current and former NFL stars sharing their thoughts on fatherhood.
The online video highlights professional football players and their children, including iconic quarterback and former Super Bowl Most Valuable Player Kurt Warner and former linebacker LaVar Arrington, as well as current professional football stars, running back Fred Jackson and defensive end DeMarcus Ware.
Fred Jackson is a great father. He feels that being a dad is the most important thing. I was able to speak with Buffalo Bills running back Fred Jackson on the work he did with Toyota, fatherhood, and some football.
Art Eddy: I love the work are doing with Toyota for the “One Bold Choice Leads to Another” campaign. You had some great moments on screen with your kids. Tell me about the program you are running with Toyota and how it made you feel.
Fred Jackson: That is what it is all about. When you have a son that looks up to you it makes you want to be a bold dad. You want to take care of the family and do whatever you can to provide for that family. We want to see what everyone out there thinks. We want people to let us know what it means to be a bold dad. I get to work with guys like Kurt Warner, DeMarcus Ware, and LaVar Arrington. We are sharing our stories. It is a lot of fun and we love being a part of this campaign. We just want to see what everyone else thinks about their dad.
AE: Do you find that with campaigns like the one you are in helps to show different and healthier views on fatherhood? 
FJ: Yes, I think it is a great thing that we need to get out there. You see all the negative things and we forget all the positive things that are happening out there. Guys are doing great things with their children. There are guys out there that love being a father and love doing things for their kids. Anytime you get to be involved in a campaign like this you are honored to be a part of it.
AE: Do you have a favorite moment so far in your career?
FJ: I want to say it was five years ago. We were playing against the Cleveland Browns. It was a fourth and one. We needed to convert to win the game. The entire stadium started chanting my name. It started with the Fred chants. It was by far the coolest thing that I have ever experienced in my career. It is something that I am really proud of.
AE: You guys got a new coach in Rex Ryan. You guys played against him since he was the New York Jets head coach. What has been your interaction with Coach Ryan since he became the head coach?
FJ: I am excited to play for him. I haven’t had the time to sit down and have a conversation with him yet. I am looking forward to doing that. I know that it is going to be a lot of fun. I want to pick his brain and see what I can do to help the team get over the hump. I know that he going to give me nothing but honest answers. I am looking forward to that conversation. It is going to be a lot of fun.
AE: I grew up in Buffalo for a bit and I know how much the Buffalo Bills mean to the people of Buffalo. What is like to play for a team where the fan base is so into the game?
FJ: It is a lot of fun. Anytime that you get a fan base that cares so much and bleeds the same blood as we do when we lose a game or get excited when we win makes it a lot of fun to play for. They are there through the thick and thin. Through all the snow that we get (both laugh) they are still sitting there and rooting for us. You want to go out there and make it worth it for them. You want to go out and win every game that you get a chance to and give them something to be excited about.
AE: What are some of the morals you look to instill in your children as they grow up?
FJ: I think the number one thing is to just be a great person. It is not always about money or status or skin color or anything like that. Just be the greatest person you can be to everybody that you meet. My son does a tremendous job at that. He is a kid that I love to be around. I love to watch him interact with people. It makes you feel good as a parent that you are raising a kid to do something like that.
AE: How do you balance work and family?
FJ: It is one of the things where I have a tremendous partner in my wife. She makes sure that I take advantage of every minute that I have. From work to where I can go out and do things with my kids. She keeps me updated with what they are doing at school, what their new interests are, and things like that. It helps me be constantly involved with them. Anytime that you have a great partner like that I think it makes my job easy at being a parent.
AE: What advice do you have for new dads out there?
FJ: The number one thing that I would say is that your kids will look to you as a role model. What kind of role model do you want to set for them? Anytime I think of that it motivates me to be the best person that I can be. I can remember seeing a picture once. I saw the way my son was looking at me. I was like I got to be the best dad that I can because this kid really looks up to me. He wants to be just like me. So I want him to go out and be a great person.
Life of Dad Quick Five
AE: What is your favorite family movie you guys like to watch together? 
FJ: One that we watch every year at the same time around Christmas is “Home Alone” and “Home Alone 2.” That is one that we really have grown to love over the years. It was my favorite Christmas movie growing up. It is fun to pass on that tradition to my kids.
AE: Do you guys have a favorite song that you all like to sing and dance to as a family?
FJ: I think when we just turn on the radio. If there is a good song on we will get a good family dance party going. It usually lasts for a good 30-45 minutes before we get tired and stop doing it. My girls love to dance. It is always fun to be a part of it.
AE: Describe the perfect family vacation.
FJ: We go to San Diego every year. We love to go out there and go to all the theme parks. We see the animals. We enjoy the sunny weather. Anytime that we get a chance to do that we try and do that every year. We have been doing that for seven years now.
AE: Do you remember your first touchdown?
FJ: I do. It wasn’t anything spectacular. It was a two yard dive that I was able to score, but it felt like I was running forever because it was the first one.
AE: Who was your favorite running back when you were growing up?
FJ: My favorite running back growing up was definitely Emmitt Smith. I was a big Cowboys fan. I watched all their games. My mom and dad being Cowboys fans took me under their wings like I am doing with my kids. I was a big Cowboys fan growing up so Emmitt Smith was definitely my favorite running back.
Follow Fred Jackson on Twitter @Fred22Jackson.