DeSean Jackson To Retire As An Eagle

Former Eagles Wide Receiver DeSean Jackson will retire as a Philadelphia Eagle.

Jackson will sign a ceremonial one-day contract and will be designated as honorary captain in Sunday’s game against the San Francisco 49ers.

Jackson was drafted by the Eagles in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft, and made an impact immediately. He was one of the few wide receivers drafted in recent memory that worked out for the team.

“DeSean Jackson was a dynamic playmaker who captivated Eagles fans with his game-breaking speed, unique skill set, and explosive play,” said Jeffrey Lurie, Philadelphia Eagles Chairman and CEO. “What made DeSean truly stand out during his accomplished 15-year career was his ability to make miraculous plays look routine.”

Jackson is the first player to be selected for the Pro Bowl at multiple positions, both at wide receiver and return specialist. He tied the NFL record with eight touchdowns of more than 50 yards in a single season and averaged 52.8 yards per score in 2009, the highest in NFL history among players with at least 10 touchdowns, among many other records.

“I always prided myself on being an all-around player. Anytime I got the ball in my hands, I always wanted to spark the team up with energy and just kind of bring other guys along,” Jackson said in an open letter to Eagles fans. “I feel like once I got the ball in my hands and I got a big play, it feeds off energy to the rest of the team. That was what I thrived on – anything I could do to help my team win games, just put me in a position to do it.”

Jackson went down in Eagles history for returning the Miracle at the New Meadowlands. In what Merrill Reese told the Birds Nest Podcast was his most memorable play to call, Jackson fielded a punt late in a pivotal game between the Eagles and division rival New York Giants. The punt, which was initially muffed, was picked up by Jackson.

“I’m not thinking they’re going to kick this ball to me,” Jackson wrote in his open letter. “I’m like, the punter is going to kick it outside the stadium. When I saw that he actually kicked it in, I was almost shocked. I always tell people that I dropped it on purpose, but when I dropped it, everybody shifted a couple yards when I picked that ball up and I just shot that lane.”

Jackson benefitted from some key blocks by Jason Avant and others, and would return the punt 65 yards for a touchdown that broke a 31-31 tie and was the last timed play of the game. The Giants would eventually get eliminated from playoff contention, while the Eagles would make the playoffs before losing to the Green Bay Packers, who would go on to win Super Bowl XLV.

“From there, it was like an eagle flew me into the end zone,” Jackson wrote. “I tell everybody all the time I was just like being guided into the end zone. Thinking about it now gives me chills. That one play right there almost kind of defined my whole career. I got so many people who can’t stand me because of that play. That punt return always gets talked about.”

Jackson grew up in LA, and was in the midst of a city torn by gang violence and drugs. He used football as a way to rise above that.

“Football was my escape in LA from the violence, the drug abuse, and just not really having any money growing up,” Jackson recalled in his letter. “Just to be a little kid and to be able to say, ‘This is my way out. This is my escape. This is a way for me to go and work hard and come back and give my community something they all can be proud of.'”

Jackson would play for the Eagles for five season. Before the 2014 season, the Eagles, having just parted ways with former Head Coach Andy Reid and under Head Coach Chip Kelly, released Jackson. Jackson would return to the Eagles in the 2019 and 2020 seasons, but played for a number of teams, including the then-Washington Redskins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Los Angeles Rams, Las Vegas Raiders, and Baltimore Ravens.

He’s excited to see the fans one more time before retirement.

“Philly will always be home. That’s why I wanted to come back and retire as an Eagle. It just sits right with me,” Jackson stated. “What we had in Philly was great. It’s a part of the history.”