DeSean Jackson: Bio, Age, Net Worth, and retirement

DeSean Jackson is a former American football player who played as a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) for 15 seasons. He is known for his speed, agility, and ability to score long touchdowns. He was also a prolific punt returner and a three-time Pro Bowl selection. He retired from the NFL in 2023 as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles, the team that drafted him in 2008.

Bio

DeSean William Jackson was born on December 1, 1986, in Los Angeles, California. He is the son of Bill and Gayle Jackson, and has six siblings: Byron, Desmond, A’Dreea, Derrick, Travis, and Delaney. His father, who died of pancreatic cancer in 2009, was a major influence on his football career and taught him the fundamentals of the game. His older brother, Byron, was also a professional football player who played for the San Jose State Spartans and the Kansas City Chiefs.

Age

DeSean Jackson is 37 years old as of 2023. He announced his retirement from the NFL on November 29, 2023, which coincided with his 37th birthday.

Height

DeSean Jackson is 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 meters) tall and weighs 175 pounds (79 kilograms). He has a slim and athletic build, and wears the jersey number 10.

Early Life

DeSean Jackson grew up in the Crenshaw neighborhood of Los Angeles, where he faced many challenges and hardships. He attended Long Beach Polytechnic High School, where he excelled in football, track, and baseball. He was one of the top wide receiver recruits in the nation, and received many scholarship offers from prestigious colleges. He won the Glenn Davis Award in 2004 as the Southern California player of the year, and was also named the MVP of the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

Education

DeSean Jackson chose to attend the University of California, Berkeley, where he played for the California Golden Bears football team from 2005 to 2007. He was a standout player who earned consensus All-American honors in 2006 and 2007, and set several school records for receiving yards and touchdowns. He also returned punts for touchdowns and was a threat on special teams. He decided to forgo his senior year and enter the 2008 NFL Draft, where he was projected to be a first-round pick.

Career

DeSean Jackson was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft, with the 49th overall pick. He made an immediate impact as a rookie, leading the team in receptions, receiving yards, and punt return yards. He also became the first player in NFL history to be named to the Pro Bowl at two different positions: wide receiver and return specialist. He helped the Eagles reach the NFC Championship Game, where they lost to the Arizona Cardinals.

DeSean Jackson continued to be a star player for the Eagles, forming a dynamic duo with quarterback Michael Vick. He led the NFL in yards per reception in 2010 and 2014, and was named to the Pro Bowl in 2009, 2010, and 2013. He also had some memorable moments, such as his game-winning punt return touchdown against the New York Giants in 2010, which is known as the “Miracle at the New Meadowlands”. However, he also had some controversies, such as his contract disputes, his alleged gang affiliations, and his clashes with head coach Chip Kelly. He was released by the Eagles in March 2014, despite having a career-best season in 2013.

DeSean Jackson signed with the Washington Redskins in April 2014, joining his former division rival. He had a productive three-year stint with the Redskins, leading the NFL in yards per reception in 2014 and 2016, and surpassing 1,000 receiving yards in 2014 and 2016. He also had some memorable games against his former team, the Eagles, scoring touchdowns and taunting the fans. He became a free agent after the 2016 season, and signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in March 2017.

DeSean Jackson had a disappointing two-year tenure with the Buccaneers, failing to live up to his expectations and his contract. He had a strained relationship with quarterback Jameis Winston, and requested a trade during the 2018 season. He was traded back to the Philadelphia Eagles in March 2019, reuniting with his original team. He had a promising start to his second stint with the Eagles, catching two touchdowns in his first game back. However, he suffered multiple injuries that limited his playing time and effectiveness. He only played in eight games in two seasons with the Eagles, and was released by the team in February 2021.

DeSean Jackson signed with the Los Angeles Rams in March 2021, joining his hometown team and reuniting with his former coach Sean McVay. He had a promising debut with the Rams, catching a 75-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Matthew Stafford in Week 3. However, he was unhappy with his role and playing time, and requested a trade before the trade deadline. He was released by the Rams in November 2021, after playing in seven games and catching eight passes for 221 yards and one touchdown.

DeSean Jackson signed with the Las Vegas Raiders in November 2021, joining his third team in the same season. He had a solid performance with the Raiders, catching 13 passes for 236 yards and two touchdowns in six games. He also had a 48-yard touchdown catch in the Raiders’ playoff win over the Cincinnati Bengals, becoming the oldest player in NFL history to catch a touchdown pass in the postseason. He was released by the Raiders in February 2022, after the end of the season.

DeSean Jackson signed with the Baltimore Ravens in March 2022, joining his fourth team in two seasons. He had a limited role with the Ravens, catching only one pass for 11 yards in five games. He announced his retirement from the NFL on November 29, 2022, as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles, the team that drafted him in 2008. He finished his career with 641 receptions, 11,263 receiving yards, 58 receiving touchdowns, 1,352 return yards, and four return touchdowns. He also holds the NFL record for the most career touchdowns of 60 yards or more, with 26.

Net Worth

DeSean Jackson has an estimated net worth of $40 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. He has earned nearly $92 million in salary alone throughout his NFL career, making him one of the highest-paid wide receivers in the league. He has also earned money from endorsements, such as Nike, EA Sports, and Roc Nation Sports. He has also invested in various businesses, such as a record label, a clothing line, and a sports agency.

Relationships

DeSean Jackson is currently in a relationship with Kayla Phillips, a model and social media influencer. The couple has been together since 2019, and often shares pictures of each other on social media. DeSean Jackson has three sons from two different relationships. His first son, Tru, is from his first relationship with Chantel Jeffries, a model and DJ. Chantel and DeSean split in 2013 after their relationship failed to work. His second and third sons, DeSean Jr. and Jace, are from his current relationship with Kayla Phillips. DeSean Jr. was born on October 26, 2016, and Jace was born in 2018.

Family

DeSean Jackson has a large and supportive family, who have been with him throughout his football journey. His parents, Bill and Gayle Jackson, were his biggest fans and mentors, who taught him the values of hard work, discipline, and faith. His father, who died of pancreatic cancer in 2009, was a major influence on his football career and taught him the fundamentals of the game. His mother, who is a breast cancer survivor, is his biggest cheerleader and confidant, who always encourages him and supports him. His siblings, Byron, Desmond, A’Dreea, Derrick, Travis, Delaney, and William, are his best friends and partners, who share his passion and love for football. His brother, Byron, was also a professional football player who played for the San Jose State Spartans and the Kansas City Chiefs. His brother, William, is his manager and agent, who handles his business and financial affairs.

Social Media Presence

DeSean Jackson is very active on social media, where he has millions of followers and fans. He uses his platforms to share his personal and professional life, as well as his opinions and views on various topics. He also uses his social media to promote his various ventures, such as his foundation, his record label, his clothing line, and his sports agency. He also interacts with his fans and supporters, and engages in various challenges and trends. He has accounts on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.

Interesting Facts and Controversies

• DeSean Jackson is a devout Christian, who credits his faith for his success and strength. He often prays before and after games, and wears a cross necklace and a wristband with the words “In God I Trust”.
• DeSean Jackson is a music lover, who has released a few songs and music videos. He has his own record label, called Jaccpot Records, which features artists such as Kid Cali, Yung Chris, and Snoop Dogg. He has also collaborated with artists such as Waka Flocka Flame, Lil Wayne, and Meek Mill.
• DeSean Jackson is a philanthropist, who has his own foundation, called the DeSean Jackson Foundation, which supports underprivileged youth in the United States. The foundation focuses on education, cancer awareness, and anti-bullying initiatives.
• DeSean Jackson spoke with a Holocaust survivor and decided to visit the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum, which is located on the former Auschwitz concentration camp grounds. He said he wanted to learn more about the history and the atrocities that happened there.
• DeSean Jackson competed in and won the ‘Hole In The Wall’ competition in Los Angeles California in April 2011. He donated his $25,000 prize money to the Boys & Girls Club of America.
• DeSean Jackson holds the NFL record for the most career touchdowns of 60 yards or more, with 26. He also holds the record for the longest punt return touchdown in NFL history, with 109 yards.
• DeSean Jackson was accused of anti-Semitism in July 2020, after he posted a quote falsely attributed to Adolf Hitler on his Instagram Story. The quote claimed that Jews were plotting to blackmail and extort America, and that Black people were the real children of Israel.
• DeSean Jackson apologized for his post, saying he did not realize what the quote was saying, and that he had no hatred toward Jewish people. He also said he was a fan of Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, who has a history of making anti-Semitic remarks.
• DeSean Jackson faced criticism and backlash from the Eagles, the NFL, and various Jewish organizations and individuals. He was fined by the Eagles for conduct detrimental to the team, and agreed to join efforts to educate himself and others about anti-Semitism.
• DeSean Jackson also received support and forgiveness from some of his teammates, coaches, and fans. He met with a Holocaust survivor and a rabbi, and pledged to donate to Jewish causes. He also participated in a virtual panel discussion with other NFL players and Jewish leaders, where he expressed his remorse and his desire to learn and grow.

FAQs

In conclusion, DeSean Jackson’s 15-season NFL career is marked by exceptional athleticism, record-breaking achievements, and a journey through multiple teams. From his early life challenges in the Crenshaw neighborhood to becoming a standout wide receiver, Jackson’s story is one of perseverance and success.

Throughout his career, he showcased versatility by earning Pro Bowl selections as both a wide receiver and return specialist. Despite controversies, contract disputes, and clashes with coaches, Jackson remained a dynamic player with a significant impact on the field. His return to the Philadelphia Eagles and subsequent retirement brought his illustrious career full circle.

Off the field, Jackson’s net worth reflects not only his NFL earnings but also successful ventures in endorsements, music, and various business investments. His active presence on social media allows fans to stay connected with his personal and professional endeavors.

While controversies, such as the 2020 incident involving anti-Semitic remarks, have brought challenges, Jackson’s commitment to education and growth is evident through subsequent actions and engagements. His philanthropic efforts, including the DeSean Jackson Foundation, showcase a dedication to supporting underprivileged youth.

As DeSean Jackson embarks on the next chapter post-retirement, his legacy as a record-setting wide receiver, music enthusiast, and philanthropist remains etched in the annals of NFL history.