MLK Health and Wellness Community Development Corporation Receives NFL Foundation Players’ Community Service Grant from Las Vegas Raiders’ DeSean Jackson

04 Friday Mar 2022

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Clarence and Jacqueline Avant, DeSean Jackson, DeSean Jackson Foundation, Jacqueline Avant Memorial Fund, Las Vegas Raiders, Martin Luther King Jr. Community Hospital, MLK Behavioral Health Center, MLK Children & Family Well-Being Center, NFL Foundation Players' Community Service Grant

Los Angeles, CA – Post by: J. L. Adams, DeSean Jackson Foundation

MLK Child & Family Well-Being Center, South Los Angeles (Watts)

PRESS RELEASE

MLK Health and Wellness Community Development Corporation, a non-profit, in the Watts/Willowbrook neighborhood of South Los Angeles, is the recipient of a prestigious NFL Foundation Players’ Community Service Match grant from NFL All Pro, DeSean Jackson, of the Las Vegas Raiders, whose professional career includes the Philadelphia Eagles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Football Team and Los Angeles Rams.

The grant was awarded through the Jacqueline Avant Memorial, benefitting the new MLK Children and Family Well-Being Center in Watts.

Mission Statement

The primary focus of the MLK Health and Wellness Community Development Corporation (“MLK-CDC”) is a revitalization of the MLK Medical Campus located in South Los Angeles in the Watts/Willowbrook neighborhood. Los Angeles County owns 42 acres on the campus; it is the new site of the new Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Hospital, the adjacent, former King-Drew/MACC hospital building, and a number of other underutilized structures. Working with the County Board of Supervisors, the MLK-CDC aims to transform the site into an “urban family-health campus.” The former hospital has been transformed into a state-of-the-art 500,000 square foot MLK Behavioral Health Center. It will be a national model for community-based comprehensive programs that address the interrelated and complex needs of those struggling with access to care for mental illness and substance use disorders and homelessness. The center will deliver cutting-edge treatment, rehabilitative, vocational, and training opportunities intended to provide the skills needed to reintegrate into the community.

In 2022, the MLK Pediatric HUB Clinic serving 4,000 children and teens in foster care will move into the first floor of the new three-story, 55,000 square foot building named the Jacqueline Avant Children and Family Center (formerly the MLK Child and Family Well-being Center) – located adjacent to the three trailers that currently house the clinic. The First-of-its-Kind Center located in South LA will provide enhanced outpatient clinical services for at-risk pediatric and adolescent patients and their families. The second floor will house an Autism Wellness Center.

MORE ABOUT THE JACQUELINE AVANT MEMORIAL FUND

The family of the late Jacqueline Avant announced a memorial fund in her name. Donations can be made to the Jacqueline Avant Memorial Fund, benefitting the new MLK Children and Family Well-Being Center in the Watts/Willowbrook neighborhood of South Los Angeles. The Center is part of the MLK Health and Wellness Community Development Corporation (MLK-CDC), and gifts will help the continued growth of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Hospital and the MLK Behavioral Health Center.

Avant was “a stalwart supporter of children and the Watts-Willowbrook community,” previously even serving as President of Neighbors of Watts, a support group centered around childcare in South Los Angeles communities.

“As many have inquired, we have arranged the Jacqueline Avant Memorial Fund for the new MLK Children’s Center in Watts, as per Jacque’s wishes,” a statement released by the Avant family said. “More information and a donation section can be found on the MLK Health and Wellness Development Corporation website: mlk-cdc.org.”

Jacqueline Avant, the wife of producer Clarence Avant and Los Angeles philanthropist, was shot and killed in her Beverly Hills home on Dec. 1 at age 81.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/jacqueline-avant-profound-advocacy-1235056582/

MLK-CDEC has raised funds for renovations to trailers that currently house the MLK Pediatric Clinic HUB, which, according to the organization, serves approximately 5,000 Los Angeles children and teens in foster care each year. In 2022, the pediatric clinic will move into the first floor of the new three-story, 55,000 square foot MLK Child and Family Wellbeing Center. The Center will provide at-risk pediatric and adolescent patients and their families with improved outpatient clinical services, hoping to serve as a model for community-based programs addressing the needs of those struggling with care for mental illness, substance abuse and homelessness. The Autism Wellness Center will be located on the second floor.

The MLK-CDC has also raised additional funds for new furniture, equipment, and personal needs such as clothing, hygiene products, school supplies, emergency food vouchers, and MTA cards.

Donations can be made to the MLK Health and Wellness Development Corporation (a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization) for the Jacqueline Avant Memorial Fund for the new MLK Children’s Center in Watts, California. Donations are tax deductible (EIN #81-1255345). Checks Payable to: MLK Health and Wellness CDC, P.O. Box 811473, Los Angeles, CA 90081. To learn more or donate online, visit https://www.mlk-cdc.org/jacquie

More About the NFL Foundation Players’ Community Match Grant Program

This grant is designed to provide nonprofit organizations with funding of up to $5,000 on behalf of a current or former NFL player who has donated financially to a nonprofit organization doing work to better the community . This grant allows NFL players and Legends to help support broad community efforts through the work of nonprofit organizations. Areas of support include, but are not limited to, Disease Prevention and Awareness, Mental Health, Youth Health & Fitness, Military Appreciation, Disaster Relief, Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault, Character Education, Anti-Bullying, Animal Welfare, etc. In order to be eligible for match funding (1:1 match must be provided by the current or former NFL player applicant).

AIM 4 Your Heart receives NFL Foundation Players’ Community Service grant from Las Vegas Raiders’ DeSean Jackson

03 Thursday Mar 2022

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DeSean Jackson, Leila Steinberg

Los Angeles, CA – Post by: J. L. Adams, DeSean Jackson Foundation

PRESS RELEASE

AIM 4 The Heart, a community-based, initiative, founded by the phenomenal, social justice advocate and music industry icon, Ms. Leila Steinberg, is the recipient of the prestigious NFL Foundation Players’ Community Service Match grant from NFL All Pro, DeSean Jackson, of the Las Vegas Raiders, whose professional career includes the Philadelphia Eagles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Football Team and Los Angeles Rams.

DeSean and his mother, Gayle Jackson, Co-Founders, of the DeSean Jackson Foundation, state that they are honored and privileged to have this opportunity to use DeSean’s platform and the prestigious NFL and NFL Foundation platform to showcase the magnitude of the impact that Leila Steinberg has made in the areas of social justice, youth development, cultural enrichment and prison reform.

Gayle Jackson states that Leila Steinberg launched her “No More Tears” program at San Quentin, over 25 years, and engaged the NFL and some of its players in the programming within the prison over the years. Gayle recalls the many visits that DeSean made to the prisons with Leila over the years, no media or cameras, just dialogue, mutual understanding and respect. Gayle also recalls that in October 2013, while DeSean was a Philadelphia Eagle, the Boys Latin School School of Philadelphia reach out to my son in regards to the trauma the students were experiencing due to several deaths of students due to violence. DeSean contacted Ms. Steinberg. Leila immediately developed a three-day symposium on healing titled “Make Your Dream”; and, traveled to Philly to facilitate the program for the entire student population school administrators and parents. Ms. Steinberg is well-respected and highly-regard in all of her personal and professional endeavors.

MORE ABOUT AIM 4 YOUR HEART

Together, we are transforming hearts and minds utilizing the arts to develop emotional literacy!

HeART Sessions are not open mics; they are topic based workshops that implement the HeART Education curriculum developed by Leila Steinberg. The Arts (language, performing and visual) are utilized as the primary means to develop emotional literacy. Emotional Literacy is defined as the the ability to understand emotions in self and others, the ability to empathize with the emotions, and the ability to express emotions productively. AIM for the heART as an organization believes the by-product of emotional literacy and development improves the condition of one’s life–moving it from pain to promise, and from challenges to possibilities.

All Artist Facilitators working under AIM for the heART have completed our heArt Education training. HeART Sessions are workshops that are easily adaptable to a variety of spaces including community centers, schools, juvenile halls, prisons, group homes, and recovery centers. Hybrid workshops are also able to adapt to individual concerns of the facility into workshops through topics.

Music is Medicine Assemblies

We provide 60-90 minute assemblies for schools, juvenile halls, youth facilities and special events. Assemblies are driven by an emotional literacy curriculum called heArt Education that acknowledges a number of the factors that impact an individual’s emotional health. Each assembly engages youth participants through the use of keynote speakers and performing artists that are part of or affiliated with our organization that have been empowered to overcome adversity, gangs, violence, poverty, and pain through the use of their artistry. Our assemblies are an introduction to the work we do as an organization and the heART Education curriculum and are easily adapted to both small and large group settings, schools, juvenile halls, youth facilities, conferences, and special events.

During the pandemic, our interactive Music is Medicine Assemblies are being offered digitally.

AIM/NO MORE TEARS SAN QUENTIN WORKSHOP

LEILA STEINBERG – AIM/NO MORE TEARS PROJECT – San Quentin

Community Collaboration & Showcase Performances

AIM 4 the HEART has collaborated in special events for Polytechnic High School’s PAAL Campus, Pico Youth & Family Center, Change the Tune, City of Long Beach, California African American Museum, USC, Long Beach Convention Center, Hopics Trauma Center, KPFK, KPRP and Homeland Cultural Center.

More About Leila Steinberg

Leila Steinberg (born December 18, 1961) is an American social justice advocate, entrepreneur, music manager, educator, writer,poet, and founder of AIM4TheHeART, a non-profit dedicated to helping at-risk youth find their voice using an emotional literacy curriculum and writing workshops. Leila is best known as the artist mentor and first manager for superstar rapper Tupac Shakur. They met when Tupac was a student in her writing workshop, The Microphone Sessions, in the Oakland Bay area. Today Leila manages the rapper Earl Sweatshirt, formerly of Odd Future.

In the 2017 Tupac biopic All Eyez On Me, Leila was played by actress Lauren Cohan. [NFL All Pro, DeSean Jackson was a major investor and Producer, of All Eyez On Me.]

Steinberg was born in Los Angeles, California. Her mother was an activist of Mexican-Turkish descent, and her father was a criminal defense lawyer of Polish Jewish descent.

During the late 1980s, Steinberg performed as a backup dancer and singer, touring with musicians O.J. Ekemode & The Nigerian Allstars. She also shared the stage with Santana, Bo Diddley, The Neville Brothers, The Spinners, Burning Spear and Jimmy Cliff. As a veteran music industry executive, she served as a marketer with Atlantic Records, Sony, Def Jam, Tommy Boy, Interscope, and Relativity.

While living in the San Francisco Bay Area, Steinberg held poetry classes in Oakland. Among her students was young Tupac Shakur. After he came to her poetry class in spring 1989, they hit it off. For a time he lived with her and her family, and read and wrote under her encouragement. She served as a mentor and manager until he needed more professional help. He signed with Atron Gregory in 1989.

Steinberg and Shakur further developed what they called The Microphone Sessions (TMS), a writing workshop that develops the spoken word, poetry, musical, hip-hop, pop and dance, jazz, rock n’ roll singing, and dramatic performances. Weekly gatherings are held worldwide, led by Steinberg-trained artist-educators.

Steinberg co-teaches a class on Race and the Law at University of Southern California Law School with the distinguished Professor Jody Armour. For more than 25 years, Leila has also taught her class to inmates at San Quentin, through the No More Tears program. One of her students, Curtis “Wall Street” Carroll, has become known as the “Oracle of San Quentin” because of his success in stock picks.

More About the NFL Foundation Players’ Community Match Grant Program

Eastside Riders Bike Club Received a NFL Foundation Players’ Community Service Grant from Las Vegas Raiders’ DeSean Jackson

03 Thursday Mar 2022

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NFL Foundation

Los Angeles, CA

Post by: J. L. Adams, DeSean Jackson Foundation

PRESS RELEASE

Eastside Riders Bike Club, a community-based, initiative, founded by John Jones III and John Jones, Jr., is the recipient of the prestigious NFL Foundation Players’ Community Service Match grant from NFL All Pro, DeSean Jackson, of the Las Vegas Raiders, whose professional career includes the Philadelphia Eagles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Football Team and Los Angeles Rams.

DeSean Jackson states that he chose to identify several grassroots organizations, in Los Angeles, that are making social impacts in their communities to distribute his NFL Foundation Players’ match grant to support their mission and work in the community.

DeSean and his mother, Gayle Jackson, Co-Founders, of the DeSean Jackson Foundation, chose the Eastside Riders Bike Club for the exemplary work that they are doing as Black, positive role models, in the Watts community; and, their ability to cultivate key partnerships in both the public and private sectors while advocating for equality across race, gender, education, food insecurity, and economic investment in Watts.

The Jacksons also commend the Eastside Riders Bike Club for cultivating its key partnership with the Sister of Watts over the years because according to Gayle Jackson, President, of the DeSean Jackson Foundation, “collaborative efforts make a substantial impact in leveraging our ability to achieve an equitable, fair and just society where we can become the architects of our own destiny”.

Eastside Riders Bike Club – Co-Founders:

More About Eastside Riders Bike Club:

Mission:

To prevent kids from being in gangs and doing drugs, helping those in need, and education all who seek to enrich the community.

Purpose:

ESR seeks to positively impact the following community needs: Inadequate Organized Recreational Outlets for local youth in the Watts area, a community that is rife with high rates of child obesity, asthma and other respiratory challenges amongst youth; lack of Safe Passage and Travel Routes: while Watts is a very small community, there are clear gang-related boundaries and territories that limit the movement of local youth based on where they reside; Lack of Resources- families lack the resources to purchase bikes, safety gear, and/or other necessary equipment.

COME RIDE WITH US!

Come enjoy a fun filled day with our bike club at any of our events, and if you like riding with us then you can enjoy a lifetime of friendship and fun with East Side Riders Bike Club. We take such pride in providing a complete bike family experience from the moment you arrive you will never want to leave. Also join us for our Ride to Feed the Hungry Series every 4th Friday of the Month unless noted. 136,226 Meals have been served, in the Watts community, to-date. Website: https://esrbc.org

More About the NFL Foundation Players’ Community Match Grant Program

Sisters of Watts Received NFL Foundation Players’ Community Service Grant from Las Vegas Raiders’ DeSean Jackson

02 Wednesday Mar 2022

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DeSean and Gayle Jackson, NFL Foundation, Sisters of Watts

Los Angeles, CA

Post by: J.L. Adams, DeSean Jackson Foundation

Robin Daniels, Keisha Daniels, Penny Daniels, Jessie Crummie

PRESS RELEASE

Sisters of Watts, a community-based, initiative founded by Robin Daniels, her sisters (Keisha and Penny Daniels), and their cousin, Jessie Crummie, is the recipient of the prestigious NFL Foundation Players’ Community Service Match grant from former LA Rams’, DeSean Jackson, who is a Las Vegas Raider.

DeSean and his mother, Gayle Jackson, Co-Founders, of the DeSean Jackson Foundation, chose the Sisters of Watts for the exemplary work that they are doing in the Watts community; and, their ability to cultivate key partnerships in both the public and private sectors while advocating for equality across race, gender, education, employment, healthcare and economic investment in Watts. Furthermore, Jackson said that the ladies, of the Sisters of Watts, remind him so much of his phenomenal mother, Gayle; and the integral role she has played in his life and also impacted each of the communities where he was privileged to play in the NFL; regardless of whether or not the team, city or fans embraced us and our foundation. “I am humbled and honored to have the Sisters of Watts advocating for our community”, states DeSean Jackson.

More About the Sisters of Watts

Our Mission is to unite neighborhoods, promote community, strengthen families, and form meaningful relationships

Website: https://www.sistersofwatts.org/

More About the NFL Foundation Players’ Community Match Grant Program

DeSean Jackson congratulates Rams on Super Bowl win: ‘Never had any hate in me’

18 Friday Feb 2022

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Cincinnati Bengals, Cooper Kupp, DeSean Jackson, LA Rams, Robert Woods, Super Bowl, Van Jefferson

Skyler Carlin
February 14, 2022 7:12 am PT

Before the 2021 season began, DeSean Jackson signed with the Los Angeles Rams with one goal in mind: win a Super Bowl. However, with Jackson’s role in the offense being minimal, the veteran wideout elected to request a trade or release from the Rams, leading to him signing with the Las Vegas Raiders.

Despite Jackson’s departure from the team earlier in the season, he took to Twitter to congratulate the Rams on defeating the Cincinnati Bengals in the Super Bowl on Sunday.

Never Had Any Hate in Me!! Congrats, Rams. — DeSean Jackson

When Jackson requested his release from the Rams, it came as quite a surprise. Entering the season, it was hard to imagine Jackson having a crucial role with Cooper Kupp, Robert Woods, and Van Jefferson ahead of him on the depth chart.

Jackson’s role was to be a deep threat in an offense that now had an aggressive quarterback in Matthew Stafford. In seven games with the Rams, Jackson recorded only eight receptions, 221 yards, and one touchdown.

Even though his goal of winning a Super Bowl remained true, it was obvious that he felt like he could contribute more elsewhere. That being said, he didn’t have much of a role with the Raiders either as he finished with 12 receptions for 233 yards and a touchdown in nine games.

At the least, with Jackson leaving for the Raiders, it led the Rams to sign Odell Beckham Jr. Los Angeles could have pursued Beckham regardless of Jackson’s status with the team, but his departure definitely made it more likely to happen.

Considering he was on the roster to begin the season, Jackson will likely receive a Super Bowl ring from the Rams. So even with Jackson leaving the team at an awkward time, he made it clear that he has no hate towards the Rams.

Repost by: J. Adams, DeSean Jackson Foundation, 2/18/2022

The DeSean Jackson Project

15 Wednesday Dec 2021

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DeSean Jackson Business Investments

**By Russell Steinberg, December 13, 2021**

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 14: DeSean Jackson warms up before the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium on November 14, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)

He’s not done with football yet, but the Pro Bowl wide receiver isn’t waiting for retirement to plan his next chapter as an investor, entrepreneur, and media figure.

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver DeSean Jackson knows his standing in the broader football conversation. He’s a three-time Pro Bowler and one of the premier deep threats of his generation, and at 35 years of age, he wants to add to his numbers and achieve even bigger goals.

He wants to overtake Jerry Rice for the most 50-yard touchdown receptions in NFL history; he is only two away with 34. Jackson also wants to keep climbing the all-time receiving yard list — he’s 37th all-time but could pass Chad Johnson as soon as this weekend for 36th.

But DeSean Jackson is just as sure of himself off the field, too. Over his career, he’s generated upwards of $100 million in on-field salary and endorsements; combined with a growing portfolio of investments, he’s prepared for a post-playing career that he aims to make every bit as dazzling as his time on the gridiron.

Family & Friends

Despite his success, Jackson would be the first to tell you that he didn’t do it all himself. He recently spoke with Boardroom about his ventures and visions for the future — and in that discussion, he routinely interrupted himself to give boatloads of credit to various individuals who have shaped who he is today.

It starts with his family. His older brother, Byron, has been by his side since the beginning. So has his adopted brother, Derrick, who works for Boeing and boasts a sharp business mind. His mother, Gayle Jackson, has a legal background and was the one, especially at the start, who helped him understand the deals he was signing and everything hidden in the complicated language of his contracts.

Gayle is the Co-Founder and President of the DeSean Jackson Foundation, which manages Jackson’s philanthropic ventures — many around fighting pancreatic cancer, which took the life of his father in 2009.

“She doesn’t really trust anybody,” Jackson told Boardroom. “Having a mother that cares and understands money — she worked in a law firm, so she’s very familiar with contracts and numbers.”

Jackson also follows the examples of his NFL friends, like 49ers offensive tackle Trent Williams. Williams is an investor in Dapper Labs, the company behind NBA Top Shot, and also has investments in the real estate market, which is where Jackson himself is most active.

Michael Strahan is another inspiration. The Hall of Famer has successfully transitioned from a wildly successful playing career into the media world; Jackson is aiming to tackle both at once as a player and the host of the “Fade the Booth” https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/3FAiHA5Fpbr8bx6c3Pvlnt?si=66004be332fc4855&utm_source=oembed

“Figuring out how to transition over and still make money when you’re not on the football field, that’s genius to me,” he said.

The DeSean Jackson Brand

Age: 35
Home town: Los Angeles, California
Height: 5-foot-10
College: UC Berkeley
NFL Draft: 2008, Round 2, No. 149 overall by the Philadelphia Eagles
Pro Bowls: 3 (2009, ’10, ’13)
All-Pro: 1 (2009 Second Team)

Career on-field earnings: $91 million
Investments: Fanatics, Roll Em Up restaurant, J&D Investment Ventures, $35 million+ in residential and commercial real estate holdings
Instagram followers: 1.4 million
Twitter followers: 891K

Podcast: “Fade the Booth“
Charity foundation: DeSean Jackson Foundation

DeSean Jackson’s career NFL earnings by team, via spotrac.com

Let Your Money Work for Itself

DeSean Jackson started in residential real estate. He’s bought and sold homes on both coasts, as his playing career has taken him from Philadelphia to Washington to Tampa to Los Angeles before signing in Las Vegas in early November. He says that part of what got him interested in the industry was seeing the money he’s put into his homes — including his $2.2 million Tarzana mansion that went for $200,000 above asking price — go to work and pay off even bigger down the line.

“Once I see my money working for itself, I’m able to pull out from one of the homes I have and go use that money to buy something else,” he said.

As Jackson got a taste of the potential out there on the real estate market, he wanted more. He began investing in multi-family homes, and eventually got into commercial real estate. While he hints at big things ahead, he says he’s not ready to reveal details. Jackson says he is getting close to a $100 million net worth and thinks his commercial will help put him over the top.

All told, he currently has $35 million in real estate investments between residential, multi-family, and commercial endeavors.

He’s already opened three restaurants in California as an investor in taquitos chain Roll Em Up, a business that is preparing to develop more than 400 locations worldwide.

Bumping Your Head

Jackson may have lofty expectations for his long-term earning potential, but is happy with the path he’s taken and would urge other young athletes interested in real estate not to start too big.

“If I knew what I knew coming in, I would have already cracked $100 million,” he said.

There were times where he trusted the wrong people, Jackson admitted — those who didn’t have his best interest at heart when they said otherwise. As a result, it can really take a while to earn his trust.

Take, for example, business partner Joshua Sanchez, whom he has known since high school. The two of them now own J&D Investment Ventures, a private equity firm that works in technology, real estate, healthcare, and small business. Sanchez has a degree in finance and Jackson is impressed with his track record in the business world. Still, he says it took him years to fully trust his old friend.

“You have to bump your head sometimes,” Jackson said. “With that being said, I’m glad I was able to bump it early on.”

Jackson is a free agent after this season, and has already said that he would like to end his football career in Las Vegas. With more days ahead in the boardroom than on the football field, his thinking has turned more to the long haul. Vegas isn’t far from his home of Los Angeles, and at this point in his career, Jackson is not eager for another move.

He’s content to keep making plays and making money where he is. And just as with his years of burning up the turf, he has every intention of leaving his competitors in the dust.

“You have to bump your head sometimes,” Jackson said. “With that being said, I’m glad I was able to bump it early on.”

He’s content to keep making plays and making money where he is. And just as with his years of burning up the turf, he has every intention of leaving his competitors in the dust.

Re-Post by: Joie Adams, DeSean Jackson Foundation. For More About the DeSean Jackson Foundation, please visit: http://www.deseanjacksonsfoundation.org

Matthew Stafford, DeSean Jackson make Rams’ day complete

08 Sunday Aug 2021

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Aaron Donald, Bryce Perkins, Cam Akers, Cooper Kupp, Dallas Cowboys, DeSean Jackson, Jake Funk, LA Rams, LA Rams and Dallas Cowboys Scrimmage, Matthew Stafford, Robert Woods, Sean McVay, Tyler Highbee, Xavier Jones

DeSean Jackson, of LA Rams, looks up for a pass from QB Matthew Stafford during Saturday’s scrimmage with the Dallas Cowboys

By KEVIN MODESTI | kmodesti@scng.com | Los Angeles Daily News, PUBLISHED: August 7, 2021 at 9:35 p.m. | UPDATED: August 8, 2021 at 2:18 a.m., Repost by: J. Adams, DeSean Jackson Foundation , August 8, 2021, 7:14 a.m.

OXNARD — The first two passes were too long. The next one was too short and was broken up. Finally, on the last attempt at a deep throw from Matthew Stafford to DeSean Jackson, the Rams’ star off-season additions got it just right.

Stafford’s high-arching completion to DeSean Jackson, who’d out-sprinted defensive backs Trevon Diggs and Donovan Wilson up the right sideline, was a highlight of the Rams’ scrimmage against the Dallas Cowboys on Saturday.

Given how much the Rams are depending on the new quarterback’s arm and the new wide receiver’s speed to loosen up defenses, it must have been a relief to see a deep ball actually connect in something like game conditions.

“It was good to see,” Rams coach Sean McVay said. “That was an unbelievable throw (by Stafford) across his body. We want to be efficient and explosive, and that was a great example of creating explosives.

The scrimmage in front of bleachers full of mostly Cowboys fans at Dallas’ training site was the Rams’ first chance to go against another team since camp opened July 28.

As often happens in a format where players starved for competition must tread a line between tackling (prohibited) and delivering “pro thuds” (encouaged), there were scuffles, one involving Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald.

But there was enough real work to occupy two practice fields.

McVay spent most of his time on the field where the Rams’ offense and Cowboys’ defense squared off in scripted situations.

Los Angeles Rams Head Coach Sean McVay during a scrimmage against the Cowboys Saturday in Oxnard.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)

A few things stood out.

With questions to answer in the backfield after Cam Akers’ Achilles injury, Darrell Henderson took most of the handoffs, followed by seventh-round draft pick Jake Funk and second-year running back Xavier Jones.

McVay noted that Henderson broke a run around right end and Funk got loose in a red-zone series.

“We’ll continue to evaluate,” the coach said.

It was natural to watch how Stafford worked with his receivers.

Because McVay doesn’t play starters in preseason games, Saturday’s scrimmage and two upcoming against the Raiders will be the only chances to see the new quarterback in anything close to a game before the Sept. 12 regular-season opener against the Bears at SoFi Stadium.

By unofficial count, Stafford completed 24 of 33 passes, and had one intercepted, in the drills against the Cowboys. Second-year Ram Bryce Perkins went 6 for 6, and ex-Steelers backup Duck Hodges went 7 for 9. John Wolford is out 10-14 days after having his appendix removed Friday.

Kupp caught the most passes from Stafford, and wide receiver Robert Woods and tight end Tyler Higbee caught a handful.

Stafford and Jackson missed more than they hit. But all of those passes were downfield. It only took one completion to reassure Rams onlookers.

Kupp was happy to see it, being one of the short-ball receivers who hope to have more room to operate because Jackson stretches defenses.

“You can see the feel they have for each other, and just the ability for DeSean to track the ball like he has, and Matthew getting the ball up there and putting air under it and letting guys run underneath it,” Kupp said.

“We love having DeSean Jackson out here.”

Football fans look on as the Cowboys host the Rams for a scrimmage Saturday in Oxnard.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)

DeSean Jackson Foundation: 2021 FAST Camp – Final Photos

08 Sunday Aug 2021

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Byron Jackson, DeSean and Gayle Jackson, DeSean Jackson, DeSean Jackson FAST Camp, DeSean Jackson Foundation, Gary Cablayan, Los Angeles Rams, NFL Foundation, Team Jackson, Travis Clark

Photo Credits: NIL Media, Post by: DeSean Jackson Foundation

2021 DeSean Jackson Foundation FAST Camp – California Lutheran University, Stadium

**Coach Travis Clark**, **Lawndale High School**, Football Coach, Team Jackson

Coach **Gary Cablayan**, CEO, **Evo Sports Training**, Team Jackson

Coach Irving Booker, Team Jackson, and FAST Camp logistics coordinator

**Byron Jackson**, **DeSean Jackson** and **Gayle Jackson**, President, **DeSean Jackson Foundation**

Shock Doctor Back Packs and mouth guards, LA Rams lanyards, recyclable bags and DeSean’s camp tee shirts for all.

Thanks Cane’s Across America for providing your famous Cane’s chicken fingers for our camp.

Thank you HAPPY ICE for providing cool treats!

Coach Gary demonstrates how other lucrative career paths are available in the sports industry.

Coach Gary really impressed and empowered the young student-athletes at the Fast Camp.

DeSean Jackson Foundation: Photos – Parents’ University Forum at 2021 FAST Camp

03 Tuesday Aug 2021

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Photo Credits: Team NIL Media

Note: Due to **Corona Virus** concerns, the **12th Annual DeSean Jackson Foundation FAST Camp** was a 2-day event this year with a limited capacity of 200 youth, their coaches, families and media. The event was held at **California Lutheran University**, Thousand Oaks, California.

Photos from: July 23, 2021 – Registration, Meet and Greet with DeSean Jackson and the Parent University Forum & Q&A Session

DeSean and Gayle Jackson at Meet & Greet.

**Gayle Jackson**, President, **DeSean Jackson Foundation**

Event Venue: California Lutheran University, William Rolland Stadium, 3256 Luther Avenue, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360

More About the venue:

William Rolland Stadium

Home to Kingsmen Football, Kingsmen and Regals Soccer

William Rolland Stadium and Gallery of Fine Art is the newest addition to the athletics complex on north campus. The two-story stadium, completed in fall 2011, has 2,000 fixed seats, an artificial turf field and outdoor sports lighting for football, soccer and intramural matches. The two-story stadium, which is designed to meet NCAA standards, will has approximately 2,000 fixed seats in the bleacher structure, a permanent artificial turf field and outdoor sports lighting. The facility will include an art gallery, coaches offices, locker rooms, meeting rooms and treatment/taping facilities. Approximately 460 overflow parking spaces will be added to accommodate additional guests at the new facility.

Named for the generous lead donor William Rolland, the stadium is located on the north side of Olsen Road, west of the Gilbert Sports and Fitness Center. Included in the 16,000-square-foot facility is the William Rolland Gallery of Fine Art, which houses pieces of bronze statuary, paintings and other items from Bill Rolland’s collection.