Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Panthers cornerback Mike Jackson sits down with Anish Shroff for a fun, off-the-field look at his love for chess -- and how the mental game translates directly to his craft at cornerback. "Mike Jack" breaks down the origins of the team's informal chess club, what draws him to the strategy of the game, and how reading an opponent's tendencies in chess mirrors the mind games he plays with receivers and play-callers on Sundays. He even reveals the real-life NFL moment where a chess-like read led directly to a playoff interception.
Does Grandmaster Mike Jack have a nice ring to it? You decide.
Read more about Mike Jack's mental approach to the game in our Secondary Functions feature story -- panthers.com/secondary-functions#the-master
#KeepPounding
0:00 – Introducing the team's chess club
0:41 – How chess became part of his pregame routine
1:16 – What draws him to the strategy of chess
2:06 – Connecting chess strategy to playing corner
2:51 – Playing mind games with play-callers
3:21 – The playoff pick born from a chess-like read
4:01 – Is there anyone who can beat him?
4:24 – The "Grandmaster" nickname
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#CarolinaPanthers #Panthers #NFL #Football
For more Panthers action: panthers.com
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Panthers cornerback Mike Jackson sits down with Anish Shroff for a fun, off-the-field look at his love for chess -- and how the mental game translates directly to his craft at cornerback. "Mike Jack" breaks down the origins of the team's informal chess club, what draws him to the strategy of the game, and how reading an opponent's tendencies in chess mirrors the mind games he plays with receivers and play-callers on Sundays. He even reveals the real-life NFL moment where a chess-like read led directly to a playoff interception.
Does Grandmaster Mike Jack have a nice ring to it? You decide.
Read more about Mike Jack's mental approach to the game in our Secondary Functions feature story -- panthers.com/secondary-functions#the-master
#KeepPounding
0:00 – Introducing the team's chess club
0:41 – How chess became part of his pregame routine
1:16 – What draws him to the strategy of chess
2:06 – Connecting chess strategy to playing corner
2:51 – Playing mind games with play-callers
3:21 – The playoff pick born from a chess-like read
4:01 – Is there anyone who can beat him?
4:24 – The "Grandmaster" nickname
Subscribe to the Panthers YT Channel: bit.ly/35gP3RB
For More Panthers NFL Action: bit.ly/2nv06FN
#CarolinaPanthers #Panthers #NFL #Football
For more Panthers action: panthers.com
Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/CarolinaPanthers
Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/panthers
Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/Panthers
