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Tag Archives: Bill Jackson

Has Eagles’ DeSean Jackson matured since Philadelphia cut him 5 years ago? Ask his inner circle.

17 Saturday Aug 2019

Posted by deseanjacksonsfoundation in DJF Social Media

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Bill Jackson, Chip Kelley, DeSean Jackson, DeSean Jackson Foundation, Jason Avant, NFL, NFL Hall of Fame, Pancreatic Cancer, Philadelphia Eagles, Super Bowl, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Team Jackson, Washington Redskins

By Zack Rosenblatt | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Updated Aug 7, 2019; Posted Aug 7, 2019
Repost by: Joie Adams, DeSean Jackson Foundation, Aug 17, 2019

zack article

Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson is back in Philadelphia and out to prove that he’s a different person than the one who was released by Chip Kelly in 2014.

It’s 6 a.m. The phone rings. It rings again. It’s DeSean Jackson.

Finally, half-asleep after a night out, Travis Clark rolls over and picks up the phone.

“It’s time to go,” the 15-year-old Jackson says. “Let’s go!”

DeSean Jackson repeats this early-morning wake-up call four more times. He rousts his brother, Byron Jackson, Darrick Davis, Irving Booker and Gary Cablayan, too. In less than an hour, DeSean and Bill Jackson, his father, are in a beat-up Mazda 300Z, driving to USC, UCLA, Venice High School or a park in Culver City, wherever they could find an open field.

This is the posse hand-picked by Bill, the people he believes will keep Jackson on the straight and narrow, get him to the NFL and, eventually, the Pro Football Hall of Fame. When his son was 8 years old, Bill Jackson told his son he’d be a Hall-of-Famer, and he meant it. Fast-forward 17 years to a recent midsummer day, and the five of them are meeting for lunch in Los Angeles to discus the person they affectionately consider a little brother.

Team Jackson
Team Jackson: Gary Cabalyan, Byron Jackson, Darrick Davis, Travis Clark, Irving Booker. Courtesy of the DeSean Jackson Foundation

“When we set out on this journey we didn’t brand ourselves,” Darrick Davis said. “We were just five guys pulling together to make this dude: a) get to the NFL, b) be a Pro Bowler; and, now c) get him to the NFL Hall of Fame. That was just our mission.”

Oh, they got him to the NFL, all right. He’s made three Pro Bowls, earned $75 million and has his sights set on the Hall of Fame and a Super Bowl ring. The ride here, however, hasn’t always been smooth.

Today, he’s back with the Philadelphia Eagles, determined to prove he’s not the same person he was five years ago when he was kicked to the curb amid rumblings that he had a bad attitude, an inconsistent work ethic, was late for meetings and butted heads with coaches.

Jackson, his family and “Team Jackson” insist that was a long time ago, that he was misunderstood then, and that he’s changed now.

In rare interviews, his inner circle spoke to NJ Advance Media about the impact of his father’s death in 2009, about Jackson becoming a father himself, and the impact the Eagles’ tough (but eventually forgiving) love had on their most explosive player. Also: why they think this time around will be different.

“They’ve [Team Jackson] been, my whole life, helping me every step of the way,” Jackson told NJ Advance Media. “Obviously, my dad created a team that was like a backbone. They train me, advance me with the game and how life is gonna be. It’s a brotherhood.”

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Here’s the story of those five men.

‘Mad Scientist Work’

Irving Booker still watches Jackson’s famous “Miracle at the Meadowlands” punt-return touchdown from 2010 on YouTube from time to time. Everything that happened on that punt return, Booker said, encompasses what Team Jackson taught Jackson from a young age — from his fumble at the beginning of the return, the cutback, juking past a defender, bursting through a sea of Giants and outrunning all of them to the end zone in the epic play.

“That encompasses all of us,” Irving Booker said.

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DeSean Jackson and Irving Booker, Courtesy of STACK.

Byron Jackson (51 years old): The older brother emphasized finishing plays in practice. He helped with route-running, taking everything he learned at San Jose State while catching passes from Jeff Garcia, and from two seasons on the Kansas City Chiefs’ practice squad, learning from legendary receivers coach Al Saunders.

Darrick Davis (51): A former defensive back who had a cup of coffee with the Atlanta Falcons, he connected with the Jackson family when he played with Byron at Santa Monica College — along with Booker — before he left for Long Beach State and Byron for San Jose. He was the mastermind behind many key decisions in Jackson’s football career, including sending Jackson to Long Beach Poly High and California-Berkeley.

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DeSean Jackson, Darrick Davis, Gary Cablayan

Irving Booker (51): Booker brought cones to every training session to help Jackson with cutting, functional movement and injury prevention. He has a unique background too: “I used to break dance,” Booker said. “A lot of the moves in my mind’s eye when I was coming up with things (for DeSean) came from break dancing.”

Gary Cablayan (49): Cablayan and his father, Jerry, have trained Olympic sprinters. Jackson, as a child, challenged a Puerto Rican sprinter coached by the Cablayan to a 10-yard sprint. Jackson won. Gary has been training Jackson since. If he actually still runs a 4.3 second 40-yard dash like Booker claims, it’s because of Gary.

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Gary Cablayan and DeSean Jackson

Travis Clark (50): A former defensive back in the NFL, he focused on the mental aspect of the game, keeping Jackson focused and fortifying his football IQ. He also could throw the ball 70 yards, and practiced deep balls with Jackson at every session.
“It’s us five who have done mad scientist work. Each one, in my eyes, is a genius,” Booker said. “One hundred percent. You can’t tell me anything different.”

Said DeSean: “It is a special bond. I appreciate them every step of the way, what they did. … They’re always calling, checking on me, still motivating me in knowing that, ‘Yeah, you’re a professional, but I’m still your big brother.’ That’s the relationship.”

DeSean’s mother, Gayle Jackson, and sister, A’Dreea Jackson-Clay, have played vital roles in DeSean’s maturation. It all stated with Bill, though.

“A Father’s Dream”- Bill and DeSean Jackson

“He was a genius,” Clark said. “We thought he was crazy. We thought he was off his rocker, but when you look back, you go, ‘Oh this man had a plan and his plan worked.’”

Along the way, the inner circle frustrated its share of coaches — Cal coach Jeff Tedford was especially outspoken, and then-Eagles coach Andy Reid warned DeSean Jackson on draft day about letting his family get involved with team affairs. But ultimately the plan worked.

Bill Jackson just didn’t live long enough to see it through.

Life After Bill Jackson

When DeSean Jackson moved to Philadelphia, his father was with him. For most of DeSean’s life, his father was by his side.

“They were inseparable,” Cablayan said.

His father was his best friend who pushed him to be great. He was there when his son debuted in the NFL, starting against the St. Louis Rams to open the 2009 season.

His first play was an incompletion. The second: A 48-yard catch from Donovan McNabb. Jackson finished with 106 yards, the Eagles won 38-3 and Jackson’s career took off. He had another 100-yard game in Week 2, making him the first receiver to open his career with two straight 100-yard games.

He helped the Eagles reach the postseason, and they beat the Minnesota Vikings in the first round. During the following week, as the Eagles prepared for the Giants, Bill Jackson was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He was bedridden when the Eagles met the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC Championship Game, watching on a small hospital TV in California, surrounded by his family and Team Jackson.

Bill cheered as his son score on a 62-yard touchdown pass from McNabb in the fourth quarter of a loss. Father and son spoke on the phone afterward. His father told DeSean that he played a great game, and that he was proud of him.

DeSean cried.

By April, Jackson had moved his dad to a hospital in Philadelphia, where he died in May.

“It was tough on all of us,” Davis said, “but DeSean, there were periods where every single day DeSean was with Bill. Every single day. … There wasn’t a moment where DeSean said: ‘I haven’t seen my dad in weeks.’ No, it’s, ‘I haven’t seen my dad in 15 minutes.’

“So once he got to the league, Bill was there dealing with what he had to deal with. It was pretty traumatic. It’s hard to put into words because I know he dealt with a lot of …” He stopped for a moment. “I’m getting a little choked up just thinking about it,” he said.

***

That off season, DeSean started the DeSean Jackson Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer to honor his father, and it was at their first charity event where they all agreed on the Team Jackson name. (Jackson Five was thrown around, too.)

When their father died, Byron took a leave from work and lived in Jackson’s basement during that 2009 season. His death provided extra motivation for Byron to start work on a documentary — “The Making of a First Rounder: The DeSean Jackson Story” — in which Bill was an important character. That process was therapeutic, he said, watching film of his dad — the good, the bad, the ugly — over the course of DeSean’s life.

Some nights DeSean would hear Bill’s voice in his sleep, pumping through his air vents. When he’d wake up, he would realize it was Byron, logging footage for the documentary on his computer.

“Our dad had a strong, aggressive voice,” Byron said. “He was a loud talker and he was very authoritative, he screamed and yelled a lot. I would watch footage and DeSean would wake up up in the middle of the night like, ‘Man, I can hear it.’”

“Just replaying all the tape, then talking before the games it was like: Dad is with you.”

Byron thinks it’s no coincidence that Jackson, at least in his eyes, had the best year of his career that season.

“I was there when his dad passed and … it was a real emotional year,” said Jason Avant, a former Eagles receiver and DeSean’s teammate for all six years he was in Philadelphia. “His dad was everything to him. His dad was the catalyst for the player that he is.”

Jackson had five 100-yard games, scored 11 touchdowns — two on punt returns — and completed his first 1,000-yard season.

On Dec. 29, Jackson received a call to tell him he had been selected to the Pro Bowl as a wide receiver and punt returner, the first player in NFL history to make it at two positions. He dropped the phone, ran to his brother and jumped into his arms. Then, he turned to a camera, filming for Byron’s documentary, and said: “Pops, man, I love you. You knew.”

The Pro Bowl that year was on Jan. 31 — Bill’s birthday. He would’ve been 65.

“The night before the game, there was this halo around the moon,” Byron said. “It feels like to me when he’s on that football field, our dad had so much involvement in DeSean’s life, it’s almost like with football, DeSean is at one with Dad.

“Just seeing DeSean’s success, it kept our Dad’s spirit alive.”

‘He Left With Vengeance On His Mind’

It’s the middle of June, and Jackson is Face Timing with his two kids and their mom, Kayla. He misses them. Jackson is back in Philadelphia, working with his new teammates for mini-camp, but his family is in Florida, where he spent the last few years playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

He wishes he could be there with his boys, DeSean Jr. 4, and Jace, 1. Putting them to bed. Carrying them. Taking day trips to the beach. Laying on the floor, laughing and watching “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood” on PBS, or maybe reading them a book. Jackson is 32 and, a father of two now, and he’s more of a homebody.

No, really, he is.

“DeSean off the field is very low key, very quiet,” Davis said. “You wouldn’t believe it. He’s very low key and he’s not confrontational. Him being a dad … he relishes that role.”

This isn’t the same 27-year-old who was cut by ex-Eagles coach Chip Kelly after, statistically, the best season of Jackson’s career in 2013. Jackson had a reputation for partying, tardiness and general immaturity to go along with the off-field concerns. The release was a wake-up call, the moment when Jackson went from being a football player to a professional football player, his team says.

“I think it became a job after he got let go,” Cablayan said.

When Bill passed away, Team Jackson gave him space to let him grow on his own.

“You have five guys who pretty much raised you your whole life, and now you’re a man,” Byron said. “We gotta sometimes take a step back and let him be who we trust he’s going to ultimately become. It’s been a balancing act. We haven’t always done or said things you would script. You still wanna be there for them, but when they come around and are ready to make the right decisions, you’re always going to support them.”

team-jackson

Jackson admits now that he was immature the first time around.

“When I was younger, I had the world at my hands,” DeSean said at his introductory press conference in March. “Coming into the NFL as a rookie and having all that success early in my career, it was kind of hard to get a hold of that at a young age, you know? But you have to go through things in life in order to mature.”

Ultimately, though, the release became a turning point in Jackson’s maturity. Washington D.C., is where DeSean Jr. was born. Jace was born in Tampa Bay.

“He had started to mature, but it’s hard when you’re that age and your friends are around you (and they are) younger and want to do things that young people do,” Darrick Davis said. “Now, with his time away (from the Eagles), having kids, all those little things make you see life differently.

“The whole Eagles thing, getting turned away from them was a harsh reality. He left with vengeance on his mind.”

I’m Going To Tell You Guys … Just Be Careful

It was Week 2 in Tampa Bay last season and the Eagles were in town. DeSean Jackson always had a little extra for his former team, and few players have killed the Philadelphia Eagles over the last five years as Jackson did with the Redskins and Buccaneers.

On the first play of the game, Jackson beat cornerback Jalen Mills, caught a quick pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick, slanted across the field with Mills tailing him, then juked back the other way for an easy path to the end zone and a 75-yard touchdown.

Jackson pointed to Eagles coach Doug Pederson. He said, “You never should have let me go,” Pederson recalled.

“I was like ‘I wasn’t even there! I wasn’t even there!’” Pederson said, laughing. Pederson, an assistant on Reid’s staff from 2009-12, wasn’t around when Jackson was cut.

They reconnected after the game, too, and it was here that the seed was planted in Jackson’s mind — he wanted to return to Philadelphia. One reason: He really wanted to play with Carson Wentz.

Jackson led the league in yards per catch (18.9) for the fourth time, but the Buccaneers went 5-11, missed the playoffs, fired their coach and Jackson was ready for a change. He hadn’t played in a playoff game since 2015 with Washington. He pushed to be traded in the off season. He hoped it would be to the Eagles.

Ask Pederson, general manager Howie Roseman or even owner Jeffrey Lurie, and they’ll tell you there wasn’t much internal debate about that idea when he became available — it was a no-brainer, Pederson said.

“You’ve gotta have guys like (Jackson) on your team,” Pederson said. “You gotta have guys with a little edge and guys that get a little pissed off from time to time. That’s a healthy thing, too. And guys with fire, guys that want to win – and that’s obviously what he wants – that’s what we all want.”

They wanted him back. All it took was a sixth-round pick and a new three-year contract.

So far, it seems to be going well. Teammates and coaches alike have raved about his work ethic, his leadership. He’s been on time for meetings. He’s spent extra time with Wentz on the field and in the film room. He participated in OTAs in May, even though they were voluntary. In between, he’s even found time to host two free youth football camps — one in Philadelphia, one in Long Beach — while also delivering food to the Philly homeless community, and visiting local schools to talk about his journey.

Adreea Clay

A’Dreea Jackson-Clay, DeSean Jackson, and Team Jackson: Byron Jackson, Travis Clark, Irving Booker, Darrick Davis, Photo Courtesy of DeSean Jackson Foundation

In May, after the death of rapper (and friend) Nipsey Hussle — fatally shot in Los Angeles — he spoke at Latin Charter School in West Philly, and talked about gun violence, growing up in tough neighborhoods, and living in the Crenshaw district “where all people know is Crips and Bloods,” he said, via ESPN, adding that he had a decision to make as he ascended to the NFL: “hang out with my homeboys that’s just killing, that’s robbing, that’s selling drugs” or try to make an impact on the community using his platform as a football player.

“You get to a certain point where you feel comfortable,” Jackson told the students, via ESPN. “You’ve got everybody praising you for what you do and where you come from, sometimes you let down your guard. I’m going to tell you guys here today: just be careful.”

Unfinished Business

Sunday, Jackson returned to Lincoln Financial Field for the first time since he was cut. In front of a crowd of 40,000 Eagles fans, he received the team’s largest ovation. It might be even louder in his pre-season debut on Thursday night against the Tennessee Titans.

This is the final stage of Jackson’s career. Since he was drafted in 2008, only five receivers (Larry Fitzgerald, Antonio Brown, Calvin Johnson, Julio Jones, Brandon Marshall) have more than Jackson’s 10,261 receiving yards. He’s outlasted all six of the receivers drafted ahead of him. He’s one of the best deep threats in NFL history.

And now he has his sights set on the Hall of Fame, the last leg of his father’s plan.

Now it’s up to DeSean Jackson to see it through.

“He’s all in,” Byron said. “People don’t know, but it was hard for him to watch the Super Bowl and not be with the team. It was hard for him the way he left Philadelphia. He’s an emotional player. Coming back to Philly, it’s going to be an emotional year … the fact that (the Eagles) were the team that our father got to see him on, and now he’s back … he has some unfinished business in Philadelphia.”

Zack Rosenblatt may be reached at zrosenblatt@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @ZackBlatt. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

# # # # # #

ABOUT TEAM JACKSON

For more information about Team Jackson, please contact: EVO Sports Training, Long Beach, CA, (888)-386-4140, or visit the following website.

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DeSean Jackson thanks Fans for Supporting World Pancreatic Cancer Day

13 Friday Nov 2015

Posted by deseanjacksonsfoundation in Uncategorized

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Bill Jackson, DeSean Jackson, DeSean Jackson Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer, DeSean Jackson Wears Purple for Dad, DeSean Jackson's Father, DeSean's Dad, Gayle Jackson, Washington Redskins, World Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Day, World Pancreatic Cancer Day

FOR IMMEDIATE PRESS RELEASE

WASHINGTON, DC
November 15, 2015

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DeSean Jackson, of the Washington Redskins, and CEO of the DeSean Jackson Foundation, sends his sincere thanks to all of his friends, international network of Pancreatic Cancer advocates and survivors; and fans who honored the memory of his father, William “Bill” Jackson, by wearing purple today; and, sent our family numerous messages of comfort, sympathy and support through various forms.
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Your kind words of encouragement and support are acknowledged and greatly appreciated.

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Jay, Gayle and DeSean Jackson - 2015 World Cancer Awareness Day

Jay, Gayle and DeSean Jackson – 2015 World Cancer Awareness Day

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“The empathy, compassion and compelling stories of the loss of a loved one afflicted with Pancreatic Cancer; and, those who reached out through social media to listen and comfort the grieving loved ones left behind restored my faith in mankind and the positive impact social media has on our lives”, states DeSean Jackson.
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I sincerely thank you for joining my family in the fight to eradicate Pancreatic Cancer; and honoring the memory of my Pops.” – DeSean Jackson

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In loving memory of William “Bill” Jackson.

DeSean and Bill Jackson

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djacc-new-image.jpg

http://www.deseanjacksonfoundation.org

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Today Marks the First Ever World Pancreatic Cancer Day, Join Gayle Jackson Uniting with Advocates Across the Globe

13 Thursday Nov 2014

Posted by deseanjacksonsfoundation in Uncategorized

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Bill Jackson, DeSean's Father, Gayle Jackson, World Pancreatic Cancer Day

Gayle in Office

– Gayle Jackson, President, The DeSean Jackson Foundation

In Memory of William “Bill” Jackson, I wear purple today and unite with those across the globe to fight Pancreatic Cancer.

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DeSean Jackson Foundation: The Make Your Dream Summit

02 Saturday Nov 2013

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Bill Jackson, DeSean Jackson, DeSean Jackson Foundation, DeSean Jackson Story, DeSean Jackson: The Make Your Dream Summit, DeSean's Father, Gayle Jackson, Ms. Kala, Philadelphia, Praise 103.9

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November 2, 2013
By Ms. Kala

This past Monday and Tuesday I was blessed with to be the MC for The Make Your Dream Summit given by The DeSean Jackson Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer and touch the lives of hundreds of boys. These young boys were excited to talk and meet DeSean Jackson, his Mother Mrs. Gayle Jackson, and Leila Steinberg to share their dreams about life as they learned how DeSean accomplished his dreams with the help of his father, Bill Jackson and team of brothers. It was truly a blessing for these young men at Philadelphia Charter School Boy’s Latin and I am thankful to have been apart of it.

Boys Latin SchoolBoys Latin School - 15 - Ms Kla Praise-103 QA StudentBoys Lation School #18 - Javon Rice Star RB DJ

VIA:http://deseanjacksonfoundation.org/2013/10/28/desean-jackson-philadelphia-eagles-speaks-at-boys-latin-charter-school-of-philadelphia/

DeSean Jackson attended a screening of DeSean Jackson: The Making of a Father’s Dream and spoke with students directly following the film. DeSean Jackson, who has built a career on creating highlights, has lived much of his life in front of a camera. The by-product is a new documentary, DeSean Jackson: The Making of a Father’s Dream, compiled from thousands of hours of footage taken by his brother, Byron Jackson, since Jackson was a child. It is a story of his rise to fame from Pop Warner to Pro Bowl and tells the rocky journey of a family to stay together through it all, despite their differences, and in the face of mounting pressure from outside influences. It is a family story, wrapped in the fanfare of an NFL dream. The sentiment “it takes a Village to catch a break” is woven throughout-a sentiment that rings true with the Boys’ Latin community.

Boys Latin School - 9Boys Latin School - 6

Javon Rice ,NFL Star Running Back

Javon Rice ,NFL Star Running Back

Dr. David Hardy, CEO

Dr. David Hardy, CEO, Boys Latin School

Dr. Noah Tennant, Principal

Dr. Noah Tennant, Principal, Boys Latin School

Boys Latin School - Ms Kala's  Husband

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Media and VIP Celebrity Screening of DeSean Jackson documentary benefits Boys & Girls Club

11 Thursday Jul 2013

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24th Ameridcan Century Celebrity Championship Tournament, Bill Jackson, Boys and Girls Club, DeSean Jackson, DeSean Jackson documentary, Horizon Casino & Resort

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Media & VIP Celebrity Screening of

The Making of a Father’s Dream”

is on the Road to Lake Tahoe

Benefiting the Lake Tahoe Boys & Girls Club, July 17, 2013.

Wright Enterprises and LaHitz Media present the family focused documentary

at the Horizon Casino & Resort during the American Century Celebrity Tournament.

Fresh off the Father’s Day premiere of “#10 DeSean Jackson: The Making of a Father’s Dream” at the San Francisco Black Film Festival, the documentary film by Jackson’s brother Byron Jackson and Hollywood Director Kern Konweiser will screen July 17 at the Horizon Casino & Resort during the 24th American Century Celebrity Championship Tournament in Lake Tahoe, Nevada benefiting the Lake Tahoe Boys & Girl’s Club.

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The multicultural film with universal themes presented once again by Wright Enterprises and LaHitz Media will be utilized to raise funds for local charities, and the academic arm of SportsRhythm that has developed a curriculum to accompany the film. ” #10 DeSean Jackson: The Making of a Father’s Dream” is about more than football. The key principles of our film: Dream, Desire, Vision, Belief, and Power, can be used for those striving for excellence in science and technology, arts, business, and many other disciplines,” said Jackson, a filmmaker, director, Fox News sports editor, former Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver, the go to guy for quarterback Jeff Garcia while at San Jose State University and founder of SportsRhythm. “Through the vulnerability lens of our family, you can learn from our triumphs and mistakes as you shape your own course for excellence.”

The inspirational film hit an emotional and instructional chord for San Francisco Film Co-Director Katera Crossley along with the audience at the Dolby Laboratories San Francisco Black Film Festival news conference and screening of “#10 DeSean Jackson: The Making of a Father’s Dream” in June. “I want to thank you for making this film as a former athlete myself from Long Beach (where DeSean Jackson went to high school) and the mother of a high school champion who’s doing great in several sports, this film is already helping me see what I can do to assist my son as he makes his life choices, said Katera Crossley, who has co-directed the festival with husband Kali O’Ray, son of founder Ave Montague.

In addition to the private San Francisco Dolby Laboratories screening for media and VIP guests, “#10 DeSean Jackson: The Making of a Father’s Dream” was a double header at the California College of the Arts with German made for public TV film, Micheala Kirst’s “Brown Babies: Germany’s Lost Children” which featured U.S. genealogist Henriette Cain of Rockford, Illinois and Los Angeles actress Peggy Blow, who attended the festival.

Moving on to Lake Tahoe, the screening of the documentary will give media, celebrities and guests of local charities an opportunity to see the universal themes of strong family values and the quest for excellence. “Having covered the annual American Century Championship Celebrity Golf Tournament that airs on NBC for several years, it’s the perfect venue to screen the film as celebrities and people from all walks of life gather with their families for summer fun,” said Jacquie Taliaferro, San Francisco Filmmaker and founder of LaHitz Media.

The Media and Celebrity Screening of “#10 DeSean Jackson: The Making of a Father’s Dream” will be from 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. at the Horizon Casino and Resort, 50 Hwy, 50 Stateline, NV 89449. Media and Celebrities assembled for the golf tournament are welcome to attend the private screening benefiting The Lake Tahoe Boys & Girl’s Club. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. Contact Jackie Wright of Wright Enterprises at 415 525 0410 /jackiewright@wrightnow.biz.

Desean holding ball

[NFL photo with exclusive rights retained and invested in its owner.]

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A Fathers Day Tribute To My Pops: The Making of a Father’s Dream

16 Sunday Jun 2013

Posted by deseanjacksonsfoundation in Uncategorized

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Bill Jackson, DeSean Jackson, Fathers' Day, Philadelphia Eagles, The Making of a Father's Dream

Please join me for a tribute to my father, the late William “Bill” Jackson, by viewing the documentary, The Making of a Fathers’ Dream, on InDemand cable, that begins airing today. For cable TV listings, please visit: http://10DeseanJackson.com . Thank You
– DeSean Jackson, Philadelphia Eagles

HAPPY FATHERS’ DAY!

desean

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Happy Fathers Day, Pops! …. We Did It!!!

16 Sunday Jun 2013

Posted by deseanjacksonsfoundation in Uncategorized

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Bill Jackson, Byron and DeSean Jackson, DeSean Jackson Foundation, DeSean Jackson's Father, Fathers' Day, Team Jackson

HAPPY FATHERS’ DAY to our POPS, William “Bill” Jackson!

Thank you for believing in us and our potential to be successful in all of our personal and professional endeavors.

You envisioned a future for us both collectively and individually that was far beyond our ability to envision for ourselves. You taught us how to be men of integrity and character, focused and driven; and, to live life with passion and purpose.

We thank God for you and know that you are in Heaven smiling on this Fathers’ Day.

20130616_inq_eagl16-a

Bill Jackson with baby

William Jackson

Team Jackson

Desean Jackson New Logo

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DeSean Jackson, The Making of a Father’s Dream

16 Thursday May 2013

Posted by deseanjacksonsfoundation in Uncategorized

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Andy Reid, Bill Jackson, Byron Jackson, DeSean Jackson, DeSean Jackson Foundation, NFL Pro Bowl, Pancreatic Cancer, Philadelphia Eagles, The Making of a Father's Dream

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DeSean Jackson Documentary Reveals Much

Posted by Tim McManus on May 15, 2013 at 1:57 pm | Reprinted by The DeSean Jackson Foundation, on May 16, 2013

DeSean Jackson‘s relationship with Andy Reid and the Philadelphia Eagles got off on the wrong foot.

The receiver and his family were already in the midst of a stressful day. Their draft party back in April of 2008 turned tense as the projected first-rounder slipped and slipped…until finally he was taken 49th by the Eagles. The celebration that ensued was quickly dampened following Jackson’s call with his new head coach.

“Hey, I just want to say one thing,” said Jackson, calling together his inner circle. “I was on the phone with Andy Reid. He said, ‘I don’t want your family to be a problem. I don’t want to deal with your dad.’ He said some bad things. I just wanted to let you know. That’s kind of messed up, though.”

That is one of the many nuggets stored in a fascinating 104-minute documentary titled “DeSean Jackson, The Making Of A Father’s Dream” which chronicles Jackson’s journey from Pop Warner to the pros. His older brother, Byron Jackson, began filming DeSean when he was about nine years old, and kept the camera rolling for more than 18 years.

Not a second of that time went by when DeSean wasn’t being groomed for the NFL.

DeSean’s father, the late Bill Jackson, was determined to have his sons make it to the pros. Byron briefly achieved that goal, spending two years on the Chiefs’ practice squad, but was eventually cut. He bounced around to the Canadian and World League but was ready to move onto a career in film-making. Bill was not ready for the ride to end. Wills collided, there was an incident, and the two didn’t speak for two years.

DeSean’s undeniable ability helped bring them back together, and they joined forces with several of Byron’s good friends — men that also came just shy of athletic excellence — to create a professional athlete. They set up a blueprint and gave him a strict training regimen. Had him working with a speed coach before he was even in high school.

Bill Jackson tells a story in the film about how he would even get his sister’s poodle into the training process. He used to tie a tennis ball to a rope, and that rope around DeSean’s waist. Every time the dog got the tennis ball, DeSean had to give him 15 pushups.

“I never gave him time off. People used to say, ‘Why are you doing him like that. You’re trying to kill him.’ Because he had so much energy, he would be running the streets.”

With all that manpower dedicated to a common goal, DeSean was able to maximize the immense amount of natural talent that just oozed out of him. That singular focus of developing an NFL player also created some problems. Cal head coach Jeff Tedford worried that team goals were taking a back seat to the individual pursuit of making it to the show. And Bill Jackson was so determined to make that dream a reality, that he at times took his advocacy for his son’s cause too far.

“While I understood what Bill’s motives were he didn’t always go about it the right way,” said Tedford. “As far as alienating people or really being loud outside of the locker room and things like that. If DeSean only caught a couple balls in the game, he wanted him to catch 10. He was driven for DeSean to be successful.”

Bill could be a handful (Reid obviously had heard as much) but it’s clear that it came from a good place. And ultimately, his plan worked.

He watched from a hospital bed as the Eagles beat the Giants in the Divisional Round to advance to the NFC Championship in DeSean’s rookie year. His son had four grabs for 81 yards in that game. Earlier that day, Bill had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. That was January 11, 2009. He passed away May 14 of that year.

The next season DeSean broke out, posting over 1,100 receiving yards and racking up 12 touchdowns in all. There is a scene in the film where Byron and DeSean are waiting nervously to get word on whether he had been selected to the Pro Bowl. The call came from Reid. This time around, the coach’s words sent Jackson barreling down the steps and into his brother’s arms.

After the initial celebration, DeSean turns to the camera and says, “Pops man, I love you. You knew.”

The Pro Bowl was played on what would have been Bill’s 65th birthday. DeSean led the NFC with 101 yards and two touchdowns.

“At the end of the day,” said Byron, “my dad only wanted what was best for DeSean and all of his kids.”

The documentary is being released right around Father’s Day. It will be available on iN Demand beginning on June 7.

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