Eagles need to say if DeSean Jackson's release was tied to 'gang' report
DeSean Jackson was productive and flamboyant in his six seasons with the Eagles.
In a stunning personnel move, the Philadelphia Eagles released star wideout DeSean Jackson on
Friday, giving up on arguably its most electrifying talent just hours
after a published media report claimed the team was concerned over the
player's ties to alleged gang members.
"After careful consideration this offseason, [the] Eagles decide to part ways with DeSean Jackson," the team announced in a statement. "The team informed him of his release [Friday]."
In 2013, under new coach Chip Kelly's innovative offense, Jackson put
together his best season in the NFL.
He produced 1,332 yard receiving,
nine touchdowns and an impressive 60 first downs. He was named to his
third Pro Bowl in his sixth NFL season, all with Philly. He was in the
middle of a five-year, $48.5 million contract.
Jackson was part of trade speculation of late, however, and talk that he and Kelly were not getting along.
Jackson, in a statement, first
thanked the Eagles, the team's fans and former coach Andy Reid (no
mention of Kelly) and then denied any gang ties.
The statement read, in part:
"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."
NJ.com reported Jackson was
questioned, but not charged, by Los Angeles police during an
investigation of a 2010 murder that police determined was gang related.
LAPD detectives also attempted to interview him over why some documents
belonging to Jackson, including a car title, were found in conjunction
with a 2012 murder.
The LAPD reiterated Friday that
Jackson was never considered a suspect in either murder. The agency
sought to speak to him for informational purposes in building a case.
Jackson grew up in Los Angeles and attended Poly High School in Long Beach. He played college ball at Cal in the Bay Area.
The Eagles have given no
official reason for the release, but if it isn't over concerns of his
connections back in L.A., then they should. If this is just a
coach-player disagreement, then Jackson deserves to have his reputation
as a person backed.
Otherwise, the outright cutting
of such a high-level player – the Eagles get no compensation for him –
so soon after an explosive media story will be seen as a ripple effect
from the 2013 murder charges against former New England Patriots tight
end Aaron Hernandez.
NFL teams looked into Hernandez's ties to gang members in his native
Connecticut. However, until last summer's murder charge, there were no
major legal problems to scare clubs away. Hernandez is currently in
jail, awaiting trial. He has pled not guilty.
Fair or not, that's where the immediate speculation on Jackson landed.
This could also be the downside
of young people's heavy usage of social media to chronicle all parts of
their life. NJ.com published a number of Instagram photos of Jackson
with Theron Shakir, a rapper who was charged with the murder of a
14-year-old, although later acquitted of all charges. A co-defendant was
convicted and is serving 15 years to life. In another photo (below),
the website believes Jackson was making a gang sign for the Crips.
What's real and what are just
harmless photos is anyone's guess at this point. Such visuals and proof
of a connection with someone charged in a gang murder likely wouldn't
have existed – or certainly been public – a decade ago. That's modern
life.
The reason for the release could
be anything. Still, the timing is curious. Philly could've dumped him
last month and potentially freed up cap space prior to the start of free
agency. Or it could've continued to seek a trade partner in the run up
to May's NFL draft. There was nothing notable about Friday on the NFL
calendar.
Now he's just gone. The team,
perhaps expecting such a move, did acquire Darren Sproles, a
game-breaking running back, this month by shipping a fifth-round draft
pick to New Orleans.
In the past, talent has almost
always outweighed potential headaches in the NFL. If Jackson is
connected with a street gang from his hometown, he certainly isn't the
first to play pro football. Nor will he be the last.
Until players were getting arrested or their off-field behavior was affecting on-field performance, teams just pushed ahead.
Now the question is whether any other team will pick up Jackson, who can undoubtedly help them win football games.
ESPN reported that at least six
teams have already spoken to his agent, Joel Segal. And in an intensely
competitive sport, it seems impossible to think Jackson wouldn't hook on
somewhere soon. He could be a game-breaking talent in any number of
offenses.
Jackson's only arrest, according
to NJ.com, came in 2009 when he was pulled over for illegally tinted
windows and police found marijuana in the car. He pled guilty in 2010
for disturbing the peace as the marijuana charge was dropped. Otherwise
he's done community outreach work and shown a passion for spreading an
anti-bullying message.
So are a relatively clean slate
and a world of ability enough to remain in the NFL? Or is the Eagles
apparent eagerness to run far from their star player a sign of some kind
of new day in the league?
Or is this just Chip Kelly willing to get rid of even a great player who isn't on the same page with him?
There are too many unanswered
questions to know at this point. But out of nowhere, the Eagles just
threw out an impressive offensive weapon. No explanation yet given, or
perhaps ever coming.
If this isn't as nefarious as the speculation however, then the team owes it to Jackson to say so.
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