Tag Archives: NFL

DeSean Jackson embracing leadership role with young Eagles teammates

30 Thursday May 2019

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PHILADELPHIA, PA, 5/30/2019
By: Glenn Erby

When you watch the Philadelphia Eagles practice, the guy wearing No. 10 displays the same game-breaking speed and amazing burst on his routes, but something’s extremely different this time around for DeSean Jackson. Now 32 years old, Jackson has embraced the leadership role that accompanies a player of his stature.

“Just really being able to mature,” Jackson said on his mindset after his release from the Eagles, via 24/7 Sports. “When I was here I was young the first time around. Leaving, just kind of stepping up and being a pro, taking my job seriously. Not saying I never took my job serious before. It took time to grow and just to learn. I’ve been through a lot and I have a lot to give back to the young guys.

“Like JJ (Arcega-Whiteside). He’s asking me questions about routes and all the younger guys. I just have a lot to offer to these young dudes. That’s what I’m here for.”

Arcega-Whiteside, the rookie wide receiver from Stanford University, has probably benefited the most from DeSean Jackson’s return to the Eagles and the valuable experience he offers.

“He’s a great leader. Every time I ask him a question, he stands aside and makes sure he knows what I’m asking,” Arcega-Whiteside said (via Eagles Press Pass). “He’s been very helpful. I mean, he’s played 12 years in the league. He definitely knows a thing or two.”

Jackson without a doubt is a changed man since he last donned the Eagles uniform and if he translates that league-leading 18 yard per reception into huge gains for the Eagles, then things will have come full circle for the man known simply as, D-Jax.

DeSean Jackson Foundation Supports Street Car of Hope Donation Drive

23 Wednesday Jan 2019

Posted by in NFL Players Giving Back

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img_0454 (1) Gayle Jackson, President, DeSean Jackson Foundation and Kayla Phillips, Actress/Model/Entrepreneur

On December 10, DeSean Jackson, of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the DeSean Jackson Foundation answered an appeal for support from 95.7 The Beat (Tampa Bay’s Hip Hop & R&B Station) for its’ inaugural holiday Street Car of Hope Donation Drive, at West Shore Plaza, to collect toys, clothing, household items, gift cards to fill the TECO Line Streetcar.

Proceeds and in-kind donations from the event were distributed to The Spring of Tampa Bay and The Guardian ad Litem Program of Hillsborough County. The DeSean Jackson Foundation and Kayla Phillips made a generous donation to the event; and, Gayle Jackson, President, of the foundation appealed to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ fans for support during the event. DeSean Jackson was unable to attend the event but did make a public statement of support and appreciation to 95.7 for the impact they are making in changing the lives of vulnerable individuals, families and children in our community.

IMG_0446.jpgKayla Phillips, Desmond Jackson (DeSean Jackson’s brother) and Gayle Jackson

img_0449 (1)Gayle Jackson and Kayla Phillips

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About: The Spring of Tampa Bay. Mission: To Prevent Domestic Violence, Protect Victims and promote Change in the Lives, Families and the Community. For more information, please visit http://www.thespring.org/

About: Guardian ad Litem Program of Hillsborough County. Advocates for children and youth who have been abandoned, battered abuses, neglected. For more information, please visit http://www.galtampa.org

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DeSean Breaks Jerry Rice’s Record with 60 TD Catch

28 Sunday Oct 2018

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Published on October 28, 2018

dj breaks record

DeSean Jackson, Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver, broke Jerry’s Rice’s record for the most touchdown catches of 60 or more yards during Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals.  DeSean Jackson now has 24 career touchdowns of 60 or more yards, which is the most in NFL history.  Jackson was humbled when he received a congratulatory Tweet from Jerry Rice who he regards as the G.O.A.T. [Greatest of All Time] who shared his wisdom and knowledge about the game early in his Jackson’s career.

Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston hit DeSean Jackson in the second quarter before the veteran went untouched for the score to make the game 21-6. DeSean Jackson reached another career milestone in last week’s win over the Cleveland Browns when he became the 47th NFL player to reach 10,000 receiving yards.

During the post-game interviews, Jackson expressed his gratitude to the Tampa Buccaneers, the Glazer Family and his teammates for giving him the opportunity to achieve this major milestone in his career.  “I take pride in knowing that I achieved this goal in a Bucs‘ jersey for our team and the Buccaneer fans” stated Jackson.

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– J.L. Adams, DeSean Jackson Foundation

 

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Bucs announce social justice initiative

23 Sunday Sep 2018

Posted by in Social Justice

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Bucs announce social justice initiative

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TAMPA — Buccaneers’ receiver DeSean Jackson stepped out of his cleats and walked in the shoes of a Tampa police officer during a simulation training session Tuesday that was eye-opening.

“I was a police officer doing a regular (traffic) stop and I got up to the car and they just started shooting at me,” Jackson said. “I was like, dang. I had to react. I wasn’t expecting that one.”

Almost a year ago to the day, Jackson and teammate Mike Evans took a knee during the national anthem before a game at Minnesota to draw attention to social injustice.

That spurred a team conversation that on Tuesday led to the unveiling of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Social Justice Initiative.

The player-led, year round initiative which has adopted the motto of “We are the change,” was created with $1 million in matching funds from the Glazer family that owns the Bucs.

On Tuesday, the initiative’s founding board that includes DeSean Jackson, Gerald McCoy, Donovan Smith and Ali Marpet and about 15 teammates, participated in police specialty team demonstrations and scenario-based exercises at the TPD training facility. They also held a question and answer session with Tampa Police Chief Brian Dugan.

“I thought there was a disconnect and miscommunication that needed to be cleared,” McCoy said. “And we were able to ask questions and it was an open and honest conversation. We were able to ask hard questions.”

Mayor Bob Buckhorn, who says he goes to sleep each night listening to a police call scanner, said it’s the kind of conversation people need to have in every city. “This is an interesting time in America,” Buckhorn said. “It is an interesting time in the cities of America. It is a very unique time in terms of the police in our communities, particularly our communities of color. This is a challenge unlike anything we have faced as a nation. But ultimately it’s up to us how we resolve that quandary. It’s about communication. It’s about treating people with respect.”

The NFL has been looking for answers to this thorny issue since the summer of 2016, when a string of police shootings of unarmed black men inspired 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick to kneel rather than stand for the national anthem. Kaepernick said he was protesting racial injustice. Other NFL players followed his lead, and athletes from other sports leagues joined the protests in various forms. But there were negative responses, even calls by President Donald Trump that players who protest during the national anthem should be fired.

When President Trump launched a sensational attack on NFL players, saying owners should “get that son of a (expletive) off the field” if  players disrespect the flag, it seemed to unify players and management. But television ratings saw a slight dip, and owners such as Jerry Jones tried to reach a solution by adopting a national anthem policy at the league meetings in March. The NFL rescinded its national anthem policy and is working with the players association on an collectively bargained one.

Darcie Glazer Kassewitz, Bucs owner/president of the team’s foundation, said Tampa Bay players identified four areas that needed the most help: police relations, criminal justice reform, racial equality and youth empowerment.

The Bucs players have three more events scheduled this year: a Ready 4-work ex-offender training program, a prison crusade with Abe Brown Ministries and a juvenile justice mentoring event with G3 Life Apps.

“I had some questions I wanted to ask because I have some family in law enforcement and I understand that their job, career, it’s not easy,” McCoy said. “It’s not easy at all and they take a lot of heat. Everybody in professional football, they’re not always going to be the best people. They’re not going to make the best decisions. But it’s going to be magnified with something negative. But there’s a lot, a lot, a lot, of great police officers out there and they do a lot in the community. And it’s not just protecting us, but going to schools and talking to groups or spending time with kids they drive past at the park.”

McCoy’s turn in the simulator on Tuesday also did not end well.

“I did the simulation where I actually ended up being stabbed because I missed (with the taser),” McCoy said. “And I did a simulation where, they weren’t aggressive, but it escalated very fast. It teaches you that you have to make split second decisions. The crazy thing is similar to Sundays, you have a decision to make. You have your training. But you’re not always going to make the right decision. They opened our eyes to that today. It’s easy to watch it on TV from afar and say what a person should and shouldn’t do and how things should and shouldn’t go. But when you’re right in the midst, in the heat of the moment, it’s a lot harder than we make it seem.”

DeSean Jackson thanked the Glazer Family Foundation for their willingness to provide matching player contribution, which could result in a $2-million fund for the initiative. He said he hopes other NFL teams will follow suit with similar programs.

“It’s like a trigger affect,” Jackson said. “Once again, I don’t think the Glazers could miss this opportunity. It definitely helped, the conversation we had last year. Definitively, from last year to where we are right now is a huge change, a huge jump.”

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DeSean Jackson Partners with E. E. Just Elementary to Empower & Motivate Tampa Youth

03 Monday Sep 2018

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Press Release

Tampa Florida,  September 3, 2018

DeSean Jackson, All Pro wide receiver, for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and his mother, Gayle Jackson, announced today that they have accepted an invitation, from Ire Carolina, Principal, Ernest E. Just Elementary, to partner with the Jacksons and their foundation in an effort to empower and motivate Just Elementary students.

Gayle Jackson states that the timing is perfect.  Last year, we were new to the Tampa Bay NFL franchise market. DeSean’s work schedule, the move and getting acclimated to a new team and City were first and foremost.  This year, we wanted to re-brand and launch the DeSean Jackson Foundation in Tampa; and, it was important to DeSean that we go “off the grid” to develop a partnership with an elementary, middle and high school where he could be very engaged and impact the lives of those we serve.

Just Elementary is good fit because Ernest E. Just was a pioneering African-American biologist, academic & science writer.  Gayle wants to challenge the students to preserve Mr. Just’s legacy; and, hopefully, aspire to a career in research for a cure for Pancreatic Cancer.  She also wants to encourage other NFL Moms, of Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ players, to join her in bringing Read Across America to Just Elementary.

DeSean is looking forward to meeting with the young men and boys in the Just Gents Club and sharing his experiences and “Rites of Passage into Manhood’ as learned from his father, the streets of Crenshaw, the NFL and now as a father himself.

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Contact For the DeSean Jackson Foundation:  Gayle Jackson, President, DeSean Jackson Foundation, E-Mail: deseanjacksonfoundationceo@yahoo.com

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Hillsborough County Public Schools logo

Ernest E. JUST ELEMENTARY

August 29, 2018

To:  Mrs. Gayle Jackson and Mr. DeSean Jackson –  DeSean Jackson Foundation 

The Omega Gent’s mentoring was established here at the Ernest E. Just Elementary in 2010.  Omega Psi Fraternity, along with school personnel, have been mentoring about 35 students a year. This club’s program ideas are based on the vision of Stephen G. Peters, founder of the original gentlemen’s club, “Just Gents”, that was established here at Just Elementary in 2008.   The ideals of the program are to reach and educate All of our children one child at a time. The Just Gents Club provides a vehicle to accomplish this goal.

Our vision at Just Elementary is for students to become life-long learners and have a positive impact on their community. Just Elementary is located in West Tampa across from the North Boulevard Homes where students have been a product of generational poverty. Just is a Title I school with 98% of our students receiving free or reduced lunch. Although the community is undergoing redevelopment and our population has decreased, our student needs have not changed. We strive to provide them with as many opportunities as possible to prepare them academically and socially, but the support of outside organizations is imperative to help us meet our goals. My mantra is the Possibilities are Endless….Just Believe!

Just would love the opportunity to partner with your son, DeSean, and the DeSean Jackson Foundation. Personally, I am a fan of DeSean’s and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It would truly be an honor for my students and school to be affiliated with your foundation.

I look forward to working with you in the near future.

Sincerely,

Ire Carolina, Principal

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About:  The Just Gents, Ernest E. Just Elementary, Tampa, Florida

The Just Gents meet twice a month to learn character development concepts and discuss the value of true friendship. Role-playing and modeling techniques are used to create and enhance the individual self-esteem and a number of icebreakers and a scenarios are used to practice effective teamwork. The boys are in grades 3 to 5 and range from 8 to 11 years old.

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The Just Gents program is based upon the cardinal principles  Rites of Passage Into Manhood, Scholarship, Perseverance and to Uplift the school’s name sake Ernest E. Just, who was a founding member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

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Members of the community are brought in to speak with the youth and encourage them to value themselves, families, friends and neighbors. Throughout the year, the youth learn new strategies to deal with the hardships of school and life as a young male growing up in today’s culture. At the end of the year the youth are engaged in challenges to complete task to exemplify what they have learned throughout the year.

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Upon completing the program the youth receive awards however the youth who complete the challenges are awarded enriched achievement awards such as bicycles, gift cards, etc. at the end of the year banquet.

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ABOUT:  Ernest E. Just Elementary

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Ernest Everett Just (August 14, 1883 – October 27, 1941) was a pioneering African American biologist, academic and science writer. Just’s primary legacy is his recognition of the fundamental role of the cell surface in the development of organisms. In his work within marine biology, cytology and parthenogenesis, he advocated the study of whole cells under normal conditions, rather than simply breaking them apart in a laboratory setting. In addition to his scientific contributions, On November 17, 1911, Ernest E. Just assisted three Howard students in establishing Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
Originally a Junior High School that opened to relieve overcrowding at nearby Blake High School, Just had subsequently been used as a Head Start and 6th Grade Center, and then as an Early Childhood Center, serving preschool, Head Start, and Kindergarten children, until its closing in 2003. In 2003, construction began on a new Elementary School that would, for the first time in 30 years, provide services to the students from its community.
On August 5, 2004, Ernest E. Just Elementary opened its doors to a student population that quickly rose to over 650 children. The staff at Just is striving to provide each and every student with an education and sense of self-worth that will carry them well beyond the education system. Carrying the torch in a legacy that began with our namesake is a challenge that enriches not only the students and staff of Ernest E. Just Elementary, but also the community and beyond.  

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ERNEST E. JUST ELEMENTARY – DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION (by %)
Total Enrollment 305 students
Asian 0.98%
Black 85.57%
Hispanic 9.84%
Indian 0.00%
Multi 1.64%
White 1.97%

What DeSean Jackson needs to break a Jerry Rice NFL Record

12 Sunday Aug 2018

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Repost: By The DeSean Jackson Foundation, 8/12/2018

Greg Auman, Times staff writer
Published: July 16, 2018

 

We’re close enough to the 2018 NFL season that we can start talking about records that could be broken in the normal course of the Bucs’ season ahead.

DeSean Jackson has a chance to break one of Jerry Rice’s career NFL records. No, not the 197 career touchdown catches, not the 1,549 career catches, not the 22,895 career receiving yards — to be clear, nobody in history is within 40 touchdowns or 220 catches or 6,000 yards of those marks. Pretty amazing.

The record in jeopardy? Most total touchdowns of at least 60 yards in a career. Jackson has 22; Rice has the record at 23, so with just two deep balls in 2018, Jackson has a cool (if obscure) place in the history books. Want to stump a friend? Ask who the next three on the list are. Maybe you get Devin Hester (21), but probably not Bobby Mitchell (20 from 1958-68) or Lance Alworth (19 from 1962-72).

Jackson didn’t have any plays of 60-plus yards last season, just the second time in his nine NFL seasons that he went a full year without one, along with 2011.

Jackson’s 60-yard touchdowns come from all over — 14 with the Eagles, eight with the Redskins; 17 on receptions, one on a rush and four on returns. He had six (!) in 2009.

You can find video of most of the 22 here on the NFL’s site.

Since 1994 (as far as pro-football-reference.com goes back for this), Jackson has the most 60-yard touchdown receptions with 17, more than Randy Moss (16), Terrell Owens (13) and Steve Smith (12). The only NFL player with 10-plus 60-yard TD runs in that span is Adrian Peterson, with 13.

How embarrassingly close was Jackson to another 60-yard score? In 2011, he had a 61-yard touchdown catch that was reviewed and determined to be a 60-yard catch and fumble at the 1-yard line as he tossed the ball a split-second too early in celebration. The Eagles punched it in on the next play.

The Bucs last year also charted Jackson’s all-time ranking in total touchdowns of 50-plus yards. He has 26, and one more will tie him with Owens for third at 27; only Moss (29) and Rice (36) have more than that. So anyway, you have something obscure to root for in 2018. We’ll have more traditional records (that don’t involve Rice) that could fall as the season nears …

 

Art Monk and DeSean Jackson Headline the 2015 Washington Football Legends

25 Wednesday Mar 2015

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ART MONK AND DESEAN JACKSON HEADLINE 2015 WASHINGTON FOOTBALL LEGENDS 

March 25, 2015 (Washington, D.C.) [Reprinted by The DeSean Jackson Foundation]

Washington Football Legends announced its 2015 award recipients, who will be honored during the Seventh Annual Washington Football Legends Scholarship Gala, a Charity Benefit Dinner & Auction on Saturday, March 28 at the Bethesda North Marriott in Bethesda, MD.

 

The 2015 honorees are: ART MONK, Wide Receiver Bobby Mitchell Champion of the Gridiron Award DESEAN JACKSON, Wide Receiver Quarterback Club Washington Redskins Player of the Year Award KEENAN REYNOLDS, United States Naval Academy College Player of the Year Award, Presented by BMW and Mini of Sterling RICHIE PETITBON, Gonzaga College High School Herman Boone High School Player of the Year Award JIM VANCE, WRC-TV News4 Anchor in Washington, DC, George Michael Excellence in Media Award The Washington Football Legends Scholarship Gala, Presented by Marriott, honors the achievements of Greater Washington, D.C. area football players, community leaders, members of the media and Washington Redskins legends. The honorees are chosen by a Selection Committee comprised of respected media members including Glenn Harris, Chick Hernandez, Larry Michael and Rick “Doc” Walker. “The Washington Football Legends Scholarship Gala is a meaningful endeavor that benefits those in need and recognizes outstanding achievement,” said former Redskins Quarterback and Super Bowl XXII MVP Doug Williams. “Washington D.C. is a special place and a community we all love. The support of Marriott International, the Washington Redskins and the NFL has been instrumental in making this night a great success every year.” To learn more about Washington Football Legends visit http://www.WashingtonFootballLegends.com, follow on Twitter or like on Facebook.

The Washington Football Legends Scholarship Gala is a nostalgic evening of tribute, food and fun to honor football legends in our nation’s capital & provide scholarships for minority higher education assistance.

6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Legends Cocktail Reception,
Silent Auction

7:00 – 9:30 p.m.
Dinner, Entertainment, Live Auction and Program

About Washington Football Legends – The Washington Football Legends Scholarship Gala is a nostalgic evening of tribute, food and fun to honor football legends in our nation’s capital & provide scholarships for minority higher education assistance. In addition to honoring the greatest football players, sportscasters and philanthropists in the region, the Washington Football Legends event has awarded nearly $150,000 in grants and scholarships to minority students in the Washington, D.C. area. The evening is hosted annually by the Joyce & Thomas Moorehead Foundation and the Shack Harris & Doug Williams Foundation.

Media Contact: Burt Trembly FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE C: 702-622-2275 Burt@WashingtonFootballLegends.com

AGS Middle School, Fenton, MI, Students Advocate for a NFL ‘Purple Out’ Today

13 Thursday Nov 2014

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FOR IMMEDIATE PRESS RELEASE

AGS Middle SchoolJill Smigielski, a teacher at AGS Middle School, in Fenton, MI, and her students are taking an opportunity during the first ever, World Day for Pancreatic Cancer Awareness, to petition the National Football League once again to consider giving equal consideration to Pancreatic Cancer Awareness as it does for other issues such as Breast Cancer Awareness, Youth Obesity, Domestic Violence to name a few.

Pancreatic Cancer Awareness

AGS has tried for several years to reach the NFL to arrange a meeting with the students; and, challenged then, Philadelphia Eagle, DeSean Jackson to join in their advocacy campaign.  Jackson and his mother have assisted the students in raising their collective voices through DeSean’s status in the NFL.  Jackson states, “I did not promise them it could be done but instead committed both my Mom and myself to teach them how it should be done.”  AGS and The DeSean Jackson Foundation launched its first internal “Purple Out” in 2013 and is scheduled to partner with Fenton High School, Fenton, MI, on November 19, for their Second Annual Purple Out.

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The students’ argument for a “Purple Out” in the NFL is premised upon their research that Pancreatic Cancer is prevalent in the NFL; and, the NFL has the ability to help find a cure for Pancreatic Cancer as it has addressed other issues that resulted in radical or systematic change.  There is no cure for Pancreatic Cancer and it receives less funding than other cancers yet ranks 4 th in the list of the most deadliest, dreadful diseases.  The research presented to DeSean Jackson, and his Mom, by AGS thus far follows:

–George Halas died in 1983 and used to own the Chicago Bears

NFL Agents:
Gary Wichard died in 2011
Ken Staninger died in 2013
Walt Sweeney, played for the Chargers died in 2013
Randy Jackson played for Buffalo, 49ers and Eagles died in 2010
TJ Turner played for Patriots, died in 2014
Johnny Bailey played for Bears, Cardinals and Rams died 2010
Gene Upshaw played for Raiders and was union president, died 2008
John Gordy played for Detroit, died 2009
Dave Pureifory, played for Packers, Bengals and Lions, died in 2009
Ricky Sandoval, head of security for Lions died in 2009

Jill Smigielski and her students ask that you join them in this the first ever, World Day for Pancreatic Cancer, in petitioning the National Football League for a month of Purple for Pancreatic Cancer Awareness.

Contact:  Jill Smigielski, AGS Middle School, 3255 Donaldson Drive, Fenton, MI 48430 (810) 591-7700, jsmigiel@fenton.k12.mi.us

Contact: Gayle Jackson, The DeSean Jackson Foundation, @GeeJackson10, deseanjacksonfoundationceo@yahoo.com

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Save The Date: Fenton High School, Fenton, MI, Purple Out for DeSean Jackson, 11/19/14

12 Wednesday Nov 2014

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FOR IMMEDIATE PRESS RELEASE

Final Fenton Poster

DeSean Jackson, wide receiver, Washington Redskins, and CEO of The DeSean Jackson Foundation, extends his humble, sincere gratitude to the Fenton High School, Fenton, MI, students, faculty and administration for joining AGS Middle School in a collaborative “Purple Out” to help DeSean raise awareness to the dreadful disease, Pancreatic Cancer, which Jackson’s father, William “Bill” Jackson died from during DeSean’s rookie year with the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Purple Out campaign was developed by AGS Middle School in 2013 to advocate for the National Football League to give equal consideration to Pancreatic Cancer Awareness as the league gives to campaigns for breast cancer, youth obesity, and most recently, domestic violence.

The students will continue to advocate for the NFL to allow the teams to wear purple during the month of November in to raise awareness to this dreadful disease for which there is no cure and receives less funding than other types of cancers.  DeSean and his mother, Gayle, are honored that the students in Fenton reached out to DeSean and are committed to helping them achieve their goal.

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Contact for Fenton High School:  Jill Smigielski (810) 591-7700,  jsmigel@fenton.k12.mi.us

Contact for the DeSean Jackson Foundation:  http://www.deseanjacksonfoundation.org