The Philadelphia Eagles bid farewell to DeSean Jackson as wide receiver officially hung up his cleats on Wednesday, marking the end of a remarkable 15-season career.
"I'll forever be an Eagle."@DeSeanJackson10, congratulations on your retirement and an amazing 15-year career.#FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/3iXYSiYLmd
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) November 29, 2023
Here’s DeSean Jackson’s complete farewell tribute to the Eagles published by the NFL team:
“Philadelphia, I’m coming home. Every time I return to Lincoln Financial Field, it gives me chills. I was just out there a few weeks ago when they played the Miami Dolphins, and you can’t get that feeling anywhere else. With that in mind, I’m stepping away from the game. I don’t believe in retirement. It’s a different type of retirement, as I turn 37 on Friday. I was 21 years old when I was drafted. For me, it’s just been about growth. I lived a great NFL career. I played some big-time games, made some big-time plays. I could remember being a young kid who was 21 years old from Los Angeles, California, making it all the way to Philadelphia. It was an honor to put on that Eagles jersey and go out and compete at a high level. I fulfilled every dream that I wanted to in the NFL. I accomplished things I couldn’t even think I could accomplish, but I did it. I set the bar high and I never got content. I just pushed the pedal to the metal. For all of the kids at home, just set the bar high. If you set the bar high and you stay on your path and stay focused, nothing can stop you on your path. When I first came in, we had Donovan McNabb, Brian Westbrook, and Brian Dawkins. Those guys set the culture for the Eagles during that time period. Those guys showed you how it’s supposed to be done. I look at the guys now like Brandon Graham, Fletcher Cox, Jason Kelce, Lane Johnson as the heart of Philadelphia. I really sit back and admire that those guys were able to stay Eagles all those years. I had to go around in my career and play for other teams, but it made me really appreciate putting that Eagles jersey on and playing for the City of Philadelphia. There’s just something different about putting on that Eagle green. I don’t think people realize when you play professional sports, you spend a lot of time with these guys and the camaraderie we built, the brotherhood we built, that’s what Philly is about. It’s about brotherhood. Being a Philadelphia Eagle wasn’t easy, but it showed you how much it meant to go out there and put on that Eagle green. I just want to tell the fans that I love and appreciate them. I’ll forever be an Eagle. I’m looking to build more memories. It was always love with the fans. Even when I left and played at other places and came back and took my aggression out, it always came from a place of love. I appreciated all of the determination and all of the love that they had. If you’re doing good or you’re doing bad, that’s what made it special because regardless of whether you were a great player, the minute you stepped below that standard that they know you are capable of, they were going to let you hear it. That’s what always gave us the edge because we knew once we didn’t do what we were supposed to do, we were going to hear it, so that gives you extra motivation to go out in the field knowing that you will be held accountable not only by your coaches, the front office, but by your fans, too. It takes a special mentality to play in Philly. My dad was from Pittsburgh, so he instilled that blue-collar, East Coast, hard-working attitude. The example that was set was to work for everything you wanted. Know there’s not going to be any handouts. Nothing in life is going to be easy.”
Jackson donned the jerseys of six different teams over the course of his illustrious tenure.
- Philadelphia Eagles (2008–2013)
- Washington Redskins (2014–2016)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2017–2018)
- Philadelphia Eagles (2019–2020)
- Los Angeles Rams (2021)
- Las Vegas Raiders (2021)
- Baltimore Ravens (2022)
A three-time Pro Bowler, Jackson’s formidable stat line includes:
His career totals include 641 receptions, 11,263 yards, crossing the end zone 66 times, and averaging 17.6 yards per catch.
Notably, the fleet-footed receiver led the league in yards per catch on four separate occasions.
Moreover, his versatility was on full display in 2009 when he led the NFL in yards per punt return, punctuating the feat with four punt return touchdowns.
Drafted by the Eagles in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft, Jackson’s impact was most profound during his eight-season stint with the team.
Jackson was a student at the University of California, and during the years 2005 to 2007, he participated as a player on the California Golden Bears football team.
In Philadelphia, he became synonymous with highlight-reel plays and clutch performances.
