Photo Credit: Christian Petersen/Getty Images
In a stunning move, the Philadelphia Eagles have released wide receiver DeSean Jackson. Â The Eagles made no secret that they were looking to trade the veteran receiver this offseason due to his $10 million base salary. Â When they were unable to find a trade partner, it appeared that the Eagles appeared ready to keep Jackson on the roster. Â Jackson is coming off his best year in the NFL, having 82 catches for 1,332 yards.
However, according to NJ.com there is a much darker reason for Philadelphia’s decision to release one of their best players. Â The website is reporting Jackson is associated with a Los Angeles gang and has frequently missed team meetings. Â Head coach Chip Kelly along with others fear Jackson has become a negative influence in the locker room and are worried for their younger players.
Jackson owns a record label, Jaccpot Records and one of the artists signed is Theron Shakir. Â In 2010 Shakir was charged with murder of 14-year-old Taburi Watson. Â While Shakir has been linked to the Crips, he was acquitted of the murder charge. Â When he was released from jail, Jackson and Shakir appeared in a photo together with Shakir still in his jail clothing. Â This was not the only gang-related murder police contacted Jackson about.
While incidents like this should be enough reason for any team to cut a player, it is hard to watch the Eagles declare what is right and wrong. Â This is the same team that gave fellow wide receiver Riley Cooper a five year contract worth $25 million. Â Cooper was caught ON VIDEO saying, “I will fight every n***er”. Â The Eagles said they sent him to “sensitivity training” and he received a heavy fine, but he was never suspended. Â It seems more like the Eagles were just waiting for a reasoning to drop Jackson and these “gang affiliations” gave them that reasoning.
