PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Former Eagles receiver DeSean Jackson has retired — as an Eagle — after 15 seasons in the NFL.
Jackson officially announced his retirement Friday at the NovaCare Complex, and will be recognized as the honorary team captain at Sunday’s sold out home game against the 49ers. He says he wants to be remembered as an Eagle because the fans were always honest with him.
“They’re gonna support you when you’re doing good,” he said, “but when you’re not doing good, they’re gonna let you hear about it. To be able to be a professional and hear that from the fans, it just gave that extra push to go out and be great.”
Jackson was drafted by the Eagles in 2008, where he spent six seasons before signing with Washington in 2014. He returned to Philly in 2019 for two more seasons. The fan favorite was named to three Pro Bowl teams as an Eagle as both a wide receiver and kick returner, the first player in NFL history to do so.
Fans at the Eagles Pro Shop at Lincoln Financial Field, like Tamz from West Philly, couldn’t get enough of Jackson. “I wanna see him retire in Philly,” he said. “In my opinion, he’s the fastest speed guy we’ve had, ever.”
Jackson’s records bear that out. He tied an NFL touchdown record with eight 50-plus-yard TDs in a single season. He averaged 52.8 yards per score in 2009, the highest in league history among players with at least 10 touchdowns in a season. He was also the fifth player in the history of the NFL to have surpassed 900 receiving yards per season in his first four seasons.
Of course, fans can’t talk about Jackson without remembering the moment that came to be known as the “Miracle at the New Meadowlands,” when he ran a 65-yard punt return for a touchdown to cap off a stunning 27-point Birds comeback in the fourth quarter.
While gearing up at the Pro Shop, Todd Krout talked about Jackson’s electricity on the field, especially during that Dec. 19, 2010 showdown with the Giants.
“I’ll never forget that game. Score was tied [31-31], thing was gonna go to overtime and he just ran it back with no time left in the game,” he recalled.
At his Friday press conference, Jackson spoke of the current Eagle who reminds him the most of himself — wide receiver Devonta Smith.
“The way he’s able to go up and catch the football, the way he’s able to make plays, [I] definitely see a lot of similarities in him,” Jackson said, “and I look forward to continuously watching him play in that Eagles green jersey.”
Jackson also called his former Eagles coach Andy Reid a second father figure, and said he always valued his time in Philadelphia.
“It was special and I just want to tell everybody that was a part of my ride,” he said, “I appreciate y’all and it’s always love.”