The Philadelphia Eagles announced Friday that they’ve fined WR DeSean Jackson for conduct detrimental to the team following the anti-Semitic messages on his Instagram.
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) July 10, 2020
According to Mike Kaye, Jackson was fined with the idea that he continues to make progress in both his education and advocacy of equality or he will face larger consequences.
Adam Schefter reported Friday that Jackson met with a group against anti-Semitism yesterday and he is meeting with a 94-year-old Holocaust survivor today as he tries to educate himself.
Earlier in the week, the Eagles issued the following statement regarding Jackson:
“We have spoken with DeSean Jackson about his social media post. Regardless of his intentions, the messages he shared were offensive, harmful and absolutely appalling. They have no place in our society, and are not condoned or supported in any way by the organization. We are disappointed and we reiterated to DeSean the importance of not only apologizing, but also using his platform to take action to promote unity, equality, and respect. We are continuing to evaluate the circumstances and will take appropriate action. We take these matters very seriously and are committed to continuing to have productive and meaningful conversations with DeSean, as well as of our players and staff, in order to educate, learn and grow.”
Jackson posted an apology video to his Instagram in response:
“What’s going on? I’ve been getting a lot of backlash and feedback from an Instagram post that I put on my Instagram story. I just want to, first off, extend an apology on behalf of me, and what I stand for, because I’m one that’s fair. I never want to put any race down or any people down, and my post was definitely not intended for anybody of any race to feel any type of way, especially the Jewish community. What I posted, I definitely didn’t mean it to the extent that you guys took it, and I just want to let you guys know I’m very apologetic, and I just want you guys to understand that it was never intended to put any race down or any religion down.
“You know, I post things on my story all the time, and I just probably should have never posted anything that Hitler did because Hitler was a bad person and I know that, and I was just trying to uplift African Americans in slavery, and just enlighten my people, so on behalf of myself, I just want you to know I apologize. I didn’t intend any harm or hatred toward any people. I’m for one, I’m for love and I extend that every day. People that know me know I have no hatred in my heart. I never try to put another religion down to uplift my religion or my race, so from the bottom of my heart, I just want you guys to understand that and it’s coming from me and my feelings, and you know, I hope that everybody respects my platform and my opinions to try to just enlighten my people, and just let everybody know that there’s no hatred involved. So, I hope you guys understand that and realize…”
The video cut off, but Jackson continued in the caption.
“I post a lot of things that are sent to me. I do not have hatred towards anyone. I really didn’t realize what this passage was saying. Hitler has caused terrible pain to Jewish people like the pain African-Americans have suffered. We should be together fighting anti-Semitism and racism. This was a mistake to post this and I truly apologize for posting it and sorry for any hurt I have caused.”
Jackson, 33, is a former second-round pick of the Eagles back in 2008. He spent six years with the Eagles before signing a three-year, $24 million contract with the Redskins back in 2014.
After three years with the Redskins, Jackson once again departed in free agency and agreed to a three-year, $35 million contract that includes $20 million guaranteed with the Buccaneers. He was set to make a base salary of $10 million for the 2019 season when the Buccaneers later traded him to the Eagles last year.
From there, Jackson signed a new three-year, $27 million deal with Philadelphia.
In 2019, Jackson appeared in three games for the Eagles and caught nine passes for 159 yards receiving and two touchdowns.
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