*FAN SUBMISSION by Rokia Hass of Maryland.*
Courtesy: Sports Illustrated/CNN
Many people were surprised after the Philadelphia Eagles decided to cut Pro Bowl wide receiver DeSean Jackson. After all, Jackson was coming off his best season thus far.
The Eagles issued the the following statement on their twitter account on Friday: “After careful consideration this off season, Eagles decide to part ways with DeSean Jackson. The team informed him of his release today.”
This led to speculation on why Jackson was cut. Earlier that day, a report from NJ.com brought to light that the team was concerned about Jackson’s gang connections and work ethic.
This caused mixed reactions from fans, former players, and reporters. Several NFL players rushed to Jackson’s defense on Twitter.
Former NFL wide receiver Donte’ Stallworth tweeted, “Where I’m from in @california, guys show love for the neighborhood where they grew up by throwing signs and have ZERO gang affiliation.”
Derrick Ward, a former NFL running back, suggested via his rant on twitter the speculation correlates with race.“The @Eagles gonna cut @DeseanJackson10 because they “Think” he might know gang members but they’ll keep and resign a well known Racist?”
That well-known racist he’s referring to is Eagles WR Riley Cooper, who was caught on video last year saying offensive racial slurs.
This issue is much more complicated than it’s made out to be. For all we know, the Eagles could have released Jackson for lacking a good work ethic, which was also noted in the NJ.com report.
Although Jackson has not been cited as a member of a gang by police, “guilty by association” has become something both fans and NFL personnel have bought in to. This in part has a lot to do with the Aaron Hernandez case.
Last off season, former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez was arrested for murder and connected to another double murder which he was allegedly involved in during the 2012 off season.
During that time, people questioned the Patriots’ front office and how they couldn’t have known anything. In other words, they slandered New England for ignoring the red flags.
And now the Eagles are being questioned for the opposite, reacting too irrationally to red flags. With Jackson’s alleged friends and work ethic, the team decided they didn’t want any part of it.
If the Eagles did indeed cut Jackson over this report, it was a premature move. I understand that the emotion and shock of Aaron Hernandez’s case still worries fans and NFL teams, but not everybody with questionable friends is gangster who murders people by night.
Courtesy: NJ.com
Jackson released a statement addressing these reports:
“I would like to address the misleading and unfounded reports that my release has anything to do with any affiliation that has been speculated surrounding the company I keep off of the field. I would like to make it very clear that I am not and never have been part of any gang. I am not a gang member and to speculate and assume that I am involved in such activity off the field is reckless and irresponsible.I work very hard on and off the field and I am a good person with good values. I am proud of the accomplishments that I have made both on and off the field. I have worked tirelessly to give back to my community and have a positive impact on those in need. It is unfortunate that I now have to defend myself and my intentions. These reports are irresponsible and just not true . I look forward to working hard for my new team. God Bless.”
Now that the Redskins have decided to bring him on a 3 year, $24 Million deal, Jackson and his off field issues are their problem. Could he prove everyone wrong and be a model citizen in D.C.? Possibly. But could he end up being everything the Eagles feared? That answer too is possibly.
