• About
  • DeSean Jackson: Home Team Premiered June 30, 2015
    • DeSean Jackson: Home Team Premiere
  • ‘All Eyez on Me’
  • DeSean Jackson – Press Conference – Pancreatic Cancer Awareness
    • Desean Jackson Profile: His Dad Believed in NFL Destiny All Along
    • Eagles’ DeSean Jackson Fans to Help Raise Awareness for Pancreatic Cancer
    • The Bright Side: DeSean Jackson
  • DeSean Jackson: ‘Shop With A Jock’ Event
    • 2018 DeSean Jackson Foundation Shop With a Jock Hosts A Kid’s Place of Tampa Bay
  • DeSean Jackson Foundation Partners with First Book Literacy Initiative
    • DJF: National Young Readers’ Week at Yorkshire Elementary, Manassas, VA
  • Pancreatic Cancer – Our Purpose, Our Passion
  • What is Pancreatic Cancer?
  • “Purple Out” – Pancreatic Cancer Awareness
    • DeSean Jackson Foundation: Purple Awareness Campaign – East TN Crusaders
    • DeSean Jackson Foundation: Purple Awareness Campaign – Smyth Co. Public Schools
    • Fenton High Students ‘ Purple Out for Pancreatic Cancer Awareness
    • Fenton Student Council: Second Annual Purple Out
    • Fenton Students’ Persistence Convinced Philadelphia Eagles Star to ‘Purple Out’ for Pancreatic Cancer
    • DeSean Jackson: Teamed Up with Cinnaminson High for Inaugural Purple Out
  • Anti-Bullying Campaign
    • DeSean Jackson Delivers Anti-Bullying Message at Dogwood Elementary, Reston, VA
    • DeSean Jackson, of Washington Redskins, Takes Anti-Bullying Message to St. Andrew’s Episcopal School
    • Nadin Khoury, Bullied Pennsylvania Teen, Meets DeSean Jackson on “The View”
  • Bill Jackson Project: The Making of a Father’s Dream
    • A Father’s Day Tribute to My Pops!
    • Bill Jackson Project – Private Screening
    • Bryon Jackson Showcases His Brother’s Career, Pays Tribute to Dad
    • Gayle Jackson: Her Perspective on The Bill Jackson Story and Her Son
    • Happy Fathers’ Day Pops! …..We Did It!!!
    • E:60 Extra: DeSean Jackson
  • DeSean Jackson Youth Football and Fitness Camps
    • DeSean Jackson F.A.S.T. Camp – June 5th – Washington, DC – Was Awesome!
    • DeSean Jackson holds Youth Camp at Vacaville Christian School
    • DeSean Jackson Youth Camp with Crenshaw Colts
    • DeSean Jackson Youth Camp, East High, Salt Lake City, UT
    • DeSean Jackson and Dwayne Frampton Camp – Bakersfield, CA
    • DeSean Jackson Partners with D.C. State Athletic Association to Host Youth Football Camp
  • Galas and Events
    • 2015 Congressional Football Game: DeSean Jackson Coin Toss
    • 2015 DeSean Jackson Foundation Inaugural Golf Outing – Photos
    • DeSean Jackson Foundation Celebrity Golf Tournament, June 6, 2015
    • 2015 DeSean Jackson Foundation D.C. Youth Football Camp – Photos
  • Health Fairs & Community Days
  • Philanthrophy
    • DeSean Jackson Donates $10,000 To Fight Pancreatic Cancer
  • Sponsors and Partnerships
  • Make Your Dream Youth Summit
  • News and Media
    • DeSean Jackson Releases Statement
    • NFL Bracketology: DeSean Jackson’s Greatest Play in NFL History with 58 Million Votes
    • DeSean Jackson on Arsenio Hall Show
    • DeSean Jackson’s Jersey at Pro Football Hall of Fame
    • My Wish..Donovan Troy and DeSean Jackson
  • Social Justice
  • Daddy’s Light Program for Grieving Children
  • DJACC’S Swagg Team Rocks Purple for Pancreatic Cancer Awareness
  • Wounded Warriors Project
    • 2013 NFL Player and Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Game
    • 2014 NFL Player and Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Game
  • In Loving Memory……
    • Eugene Thurman Upshaw, Jr.
    • Michele Garson
    • Michelle Ketterman
    • Stuart Scott
    • Ahmad Given – VH I Reality Star Dies at 35 from Colon Cancer.
  • Please Donate to DeSean Jackson Foundat10n
  • Contact Us

DeSean Jackson Foundation

~ Official Site for DeSean Jackson Foundation

DeSean Jackson Foundation

Tag Archives: National Football League

DeSean Jackson Foundation Supports Youth Art & Self-Empowerment Project Covid-19 Relief Request

15 Wednesday Jul 2020

Posted by deseanjacksonsfoundation in DJF Media Release

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Covid-19, DeSean Jackson Foundation, National Football Foundation, National Football League, Philadelphia Eagles, Social Justice, Youth Art & Self-Empowerment Project

Youth Art & Self-Empowerment Project Staff – Philadelphia, PA

On May 17, 2020, DeSean Jackson, of the Philadelphia Eagles, answered a plea from the Youth Art & Self-Empowerment Project (YASP) a grass-roots, community-based initiative, in Philadelphia, for financial support to address the impact COVID-19 has made on its daily operations; and, the critical social justice and criminal justice advocacy it provides.

Sarah Morris, of YASP, stated that Covid-19 and executive orders required the staff to work from home; and, the subsequent #BlackLivesMatter protests made it difficult to get to the office because of the peaceful protests and street closures.  YASP was seeking a mini-grant for general expenses to sustain operations until they could return to their office.

DeSean Jackson agreed to award YASP funds from the 2019 NFL Foundation Players’ Social Justice grant for $5,000.00 that the DeSean Jackson Foundation received; and, DeSean also offered to meet with YASP in the future to learn more about their advocacy and how he may assist in furtherance of their mission.  Ms. Morris advised that YASP returned to their office on June 22, 2020 and provided a picture of the DJF check.

Advocates for Social Justice & Criminal Justice Reform

Sarah Morris, Youth Art & Self-Empowerment Project

Youth Art & Self-Empowerment Project (YASP) Mission:  Building a youth-led movement to end the practice of adjudicating and incarcerating young people as Adults.  Through its work in the Philadelphia jails, YASP provides space for incarcerated youth to express themselves creatively and to develop as leaders within and beyond the prison walls.  Young people who have been through the adult court system are at the forefront of YASP, leading the movement to keep young people out of adult prisons and to create possibilities for youth around the city.

YASP was a 2019 recipient of the Philadelphia Eagles’ Social Justice Fund grant for $10,000.  The fund was established in 2018 to provide grants to organizations that work to reduce barriers to equal opportunity, with a specific focus on education, community and police relations, improving the criminal justice system and other initiatives targeting poverty, racial equality and workforce development in the Greater Philadelphia area.  In just two years, the Philadelphia Eagles’ Social Justice Fund has provided area-based organizations with more than $858,000 in unrestricted general operating support.

For More Information About:

Youth Art & Self-Empowerment Project: Contact  Sarah Morris, sarah@yasproject.com or visit website: http://www.yasproject.com

National Football Foundation:  Please visit website:  https://www.nflfoundation.org

NFL Foundation logo

 

 

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Email
  • Print

Like this:

Like Loading...

How Nipsey Hussle’s death led DeSean Jackson to Boys’ Latin

24 Friday May 2019

Posted by deseanjacksonsfoundation in NFL Players Giving Back, Social Justice

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

#MarathonContinues, DeSean Jackson, DeSean Jackson Foundation, Morehouse College, National Football League, Nipsey Hussle, Philadelphia Eagles

download (2)

Tim McManus
ESPN Staff Writer

Repost by:  DeSean Jackson Foundation, 5/24/2019

http://www.espn.com/video/clip?id=26651401

PHILADELPHIA, PA — Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson was about halfway through his Q&A session with the students at Boys’ Latin Charter School in West Philly on Wednesday, and to that point he had fielded only football-related questions. Knowing there were bigger issues at hand, he took it upon himself to change the direction of the conversation.

“Let’s try to switch it a little bit,” Jackson finally said to a group of about 150 high schoolers, who sat at rapt attention as Jackson spoke from the stage in a surprise appearance. “Let’s go to everyday life, when you all leave from school, any obstacles you are all going through.”

Jackson was aware of the series of tragedies that had struck this community. Boys’ Latin, the only public all-boys school in Philadelphia, lost four students to homicide or suicide in the 2017-18 school year alone, according to lead student support officer Kenyon Meeks. One of the victims was William Bethel, a 16-year-old athlete who was slain on Easter Sunday in 2018. Bethel shared a connection with Jackson, having attended Jackson’s youth football camp during his first stint with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Meeks was a supporter of that camp and built a relationship with the star receiver over time. He helped arrange Jackson’s first trip to Boys’ Latin in 2013. It was the death of artist Nipsey Hussle, Jackson’s longtime friend, that prompted Meeks to reach out to Jackson for a return appearance, as he identified a common thread that could tie a success story to a group of young men in need of some hope and direction. Jackson was moved to help.

“We brought in DeSean Jackson today because of the recent Nipsey Hussle situation, related to the loss of some of our students,” Meeks said. “One of the key things for me was, how do I bridge that gap with our students that are feeling down and depressed, or just have to deal with the everyday aspect of being out here in West Philly?

“We have had our shares of ups and downs, and it was nice to finally have some joy here.”

Jackson remained hidden behind a side door in the school cafeteria before being introduced by the principal. He was greeted by a roar of applause when he emerged, and he went down the line shaking the hands of all the boys in the first row before hopping up on stage. He spoke of his journey from the Crenshaw neighborhood of Los Angeles to the NFL, and the pitfalls that had to be navigated along the way. It wasn’t long before he evoked Hussle’s name for the first time.

“I’m sure everybody in this room heard about the Nipsey Hussle situation, right?” Jackson asked, the crowd responding with a resounding “Yeah” in unison. “That was my boy, man. I grew up with him. That still hurts my heart to this day. Because it’s not really the enemies, it’s the people in your inner circle you’ve got to watch out for. You get to a certain point where you feel comfortable. You’ve got everybody praising you for what you do where you come from, sometimes you let down your guard. I’m going to tell you guys here today, just be careful.

Nipsey

Rapper Nipsey Hussle was fatally shot outside of his store in Los Angeles, Marathon Clothing, in late March. AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File
“You have to really understand: What are you in it for? Are you in it to win or to lose? Every day I chase to win. I don’t chase to lose. We’re not losers. Everybody in this room today has a destination in life. You’ve got a born date and you’ve got a death date. In between that time, how are you going to make the most out of it?”

Hussle was fatally shot outside his store in Los Angeles, Marathon Clothing, in late March. According to Meeks, Hussle’s death affected his students “on a level that you wouldn’t even believe,” saying that it “just uprooted everything that we have been through as a school community.”

Besides his music, Hussle was known for being an agent of change for the area in which he grew up, a neighborhood he stayed loyal to his entire life.

Hailing from the same area in South Central Los Angeles, Jackson and Hussle were friends for more than 15 years. Jackson will be wearing custom cleats to honor him this season.

Once he redirected the conversation, Jackson was asked about the neighborhood he came from and difficulties it presented. He spoke of his upbringing in the Crenshaw district, where “all people know is Crips and Bloods,” and where wearing the wrong color clothing can put you in peril. He had a decision to make: go into the streets and “hang out with my homeboys that’s just killing, that’s robbing, that’s selling drugs” or try to make a positive impact by pursuing his dream to be a professional football player.

“It’s obstacles,” Jackson said. “And I’m sure in your neck of the woods, where you come from, it’s the same.”

“It really touched me, because my uncle and a couple of my friends were killed due to gun violence,” said Jeremiah Carter, a Boys’ Latin senior and defensive lineman who is slated to attend Morehouse College in the fall, “so it helped to see somebody that comes from the same situation as that being in a higher place in life, and it motivates me to focus on, OK, even though bad things happen to people, that you can still push through that.”

Nipsey2

Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson speaks to a group of students from the Boys’ Latin Charter School in West Philadelphia on Wednesday.

That spoke to Jackson’s overall message, one inspired by Hussle: to make something of yourself so you can one day create the change you want to see in your community.

“It’s the same stuff Nipsey was on,” Jackson said. “Like Jay Z said, ‘Go buy up the block.’ That’s what we need to do as young black men, and any other race, you’ve really got to go back and buy up the block.

“Anytime you’re able to do anything, put your best foot forward and change the culture. We’ve got to come together as one.”

0501-desean-jackson-shoes-instagram-1

DJACC New Image

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Email
  • Print

Like this:

Like Loading...

Gayle Jackson and NFL Moms Promote Literacy at 92nd Elementary (Watts)

23 Sunday Mar 2014

Posted by deseanjacksonsfoundation in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Cheryl Foster, DeSean Jackson, DeShawn Foster, Gayle Jackson, Kim Mallory, National Football League, NFL Moms, Philadelphia Eagles, Stefan Johnson

Gayle Jackson, mother of All Pro, Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver, DeSean Jackson; Cheryl Foster, mother of DeShawn Foster; and, Kim Mallory, mother of Stefan Johnson recently took time off from their off season time with their families to enrich the lives of the youth at 92nd Elementary School, in Watts. Priscilla Currie, Principal, at 92nd Elementary and the entire student population welcomed the NFL Moms who were scheduled to make several visits to local elementary schools to celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday and promote literacy. Mrs. Jackson took the time to discuss her son’s career in the NFL and recently published book that focuses on bullying.

The NFL Moms were Awesome, elegant, graceful, compassionate and caring. They are ‘unofficial ambassadors’ of the NFL who give their time and personal resources to build caring communities throughout the league and underserved communities throughout the nation.

Gaylepic40GaylePic41GaylePic42GaylePic34

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Email
  • Print

Like this:

Like Loading...

30 Seconds with DeSean Jackson

10 Saturday Nov 2012

Posted by deseanjacksonsfoundation in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

DeSean Jackson, Fitness Training, Jerry Rice, National Football League, New York Times, Nike, Philadelphia Eagles

The New York Times

The Fifth Down

The New York Times NFL Blog

November 10, 2012, 3:21 pm [Reprinted by The DeSean Jackson Foundation with permission on November 10, 2012.]

By JOE BRESCIA

DeSean Jackson has 37 catches for 624 yards.Julio Cortez/Associated Press DeSean Jackson has 37 catches for 624 yards.

Although the Philadelphia Eagles are only 3-5,  DeSean Jackson is having a terrific season with 37 catches for 624 yards.  In 2010, he was the first player selected to the Pro Bowl at two positions: wide receiver and return specialist.

Jackson, who also excelled in baseball at Long Beach Polytechnic High School in California, was scouted by the Philadelphia Phillies before he decided to play football at California.

Now 25, he is a spokesman for Nike+ Kinect Training, a personalized workout program.

Q.

You’re on pace for career highs in receptions and yards this season. And no drops, too. What do you think is the reason for your success?

A.

This year has been very challenging for me and my team. For my part, I’m still trying to do anything in my power to be the big-play threat. Any time my number is called, I try to be on call, be open, catch the ball and just try to do the best I can to help my teammates make plays and score touchdowns and help us win. But as far as no drops, I’m fortunate about that. I pride myself on not dropping the ball and catching everything that comes my way. And that’s a good thing to keep going.

Q.

Why do you think Michael Vick has struggled this season?

A.

This season just hasn’t been one of his best years. As far as why he’s struggling, I think defenses are putting a lot of pressure on him because of the blitzes and the amount of pressure coming in his face. I think right now that’s kind of affecting us. Sometimes, he’s getting hit and beat up a little bit, too. He’s just trying to stay strong and confident and make plays any way possible.

Q.

Do you like returning punts or would you rather be only a receiver?

A.

Punt returning is something I’ve always been able to do, and it’s a great addition I’ve been able to bring to my team. I’m doing it more part time now because we have a rookie (Damaris Johnson) to help with the load, and it allows me to focus more on receiver. But I always love to return punts and help the team.

Q.

Before your rookie season, Jerry Rice was quoted saying that you had  “all the talent in the world; there’s no reason he can’t be everything he wants to be.” How did that make you feel?

A.

I was fortunate enough to be able to work out and train with Jerry Rice. I learned many things from him, watching how hard he worked and how he took it as a business. It was a blessing for me at an early age, coming to the N.F.L. and knowing what to expect. I was definitely appreciative.

Q.

Do you think you can make the playoffs and be a force in the postseason?

A.

Yeah, I feel we’re still second in our division regardless of our 3-5 record. We’re 1-0 in our division, so as long as we take care of our division, I think we’ll be able to make it into the playoffs. This year might be one of those crazy years for the N.F.C. East. The Giants are leading right now, but they lost to us. As long as we’re able to control our division, I think we might be able to make it and still be a force in the playoffs.

Q.

Why do you think the Eagles have handled the Giants so well in recent seasons?

A.

They’re one of our biggest rivals, and they’re at the top. We feel very strongly that our division is one of the best in football. We take pride in that. There’s something about the Giants that we play our best football against them.

Q.

What was biggest effect replacement referees had on your game?

A.

I’m very happy the official referees came back. Going through preseason and a couple of regular-season games, they were allowing defenders and defensive backs to get away with a little more contact than usual. So now that everything’s back to normal, it’s been pretty good.

Q.

Has the league done enough to prevent head injuries and concussions?

A.

The league does a great job of keeping players protected and a good job of making sure a player’s safety is first and foremost. This year has been pretty good. There hasn’t been any crazy hits and things have been pretty good as far as I know.

Q.

Can Nike+ Kinect Training help you get in shape for the N.F.L.?

A.

It can help you get in game condition. It’s similar to some of the workouts we do in the weight room and on the football field. It challenges you with exercises such as agility drills. It helps me prepare and get in shape right in front of my TV.

Q.

What can the average fan and weekend athlete get out of the program?

A.

With Nike+ Kinect Training, the average fan is actually able to be home and be physical and not just sit on the couch. Sometimes people don’t want to go to the gym. Or they’re too lazy after work to go anywhere. So when you get home, you can just put the disc in the Xbox and get to work.

Q.

Do you ever imagine what it would have been like if you had played for the Phillies?

A.

I played baseball as a kid and in high school, and I never really gave it a chance once I got drafted. I wanted to go to college, get an education, play football and make it to the N.F.L. That was always my dream.

Q.

You won a competition of the children’s television game show “Hole in the Wall” in 2011. How did your teammates react to your appearance on the program?

A.

I had a good time. It was my team versus Chris Webber’s team. My little brother and my friend’s brother were on my team. Chris had his nephew and niece on the show. We actually beat them. My teammates gave me a little bit of a hard time about the suit I had on in the show.

Q.

What’s on your iPod?

A.

Meek Mill, Lil Wayne, 2 Chainz, Rick Ross.

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Email
  • Print

Like this:

Like Loading...

Subscribe

  • Entries (RSS)
  • Comments (RSS)

Archives

  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • December 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • March 2021
  • January 2021
  • October 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • February 2020
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • January 2019
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • September 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • June 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • September 2011
  • July 2011
  • June 2011
  • May 2011
  • April 2011
  • February 2011
  • December 2010
  • March 2010
  • January 2010
  • August 2008
  • November 2007
  • October 2007

Categories

  • DJF Media Release
  • DJF Social Media
  • NFL Players Giving Back
  • Social Justice
  • Uncategorized

Meta

  • Register
  • Log in

Flickr Photos

Orange Gladiolus and ReflectionA Morning at Lough Key.Tulipani Italiani
More Photos

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 9,956 other followers

  • RSS - Posts
  • RSS - Comments

Website Powered by WordPress.com.

  • Follow Following
    • DeSean Jackson Foundation
    • Join 9,956 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • DeSean Jackson Foundation
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...
 

    %d bloggers like this: