‘APPALLING’
DESEAN JACKSON’S ANTI-SEMITIC POSTS DRAW CONDEMNATION
DeSean Jackson backed the Eagles into an uncomfortable corner with a series of anti-Semitic posts on Instagram over the weekend, including an alarming quote attributed to Adolf Hitler.
Though Jackson issued an apology on Instagram and the posts were removed, the Eagles put out a statement calling the controversial passages “appalling” as outrage resonated throughout the area.
The Anti-Defamation League of Philadelphia, the American Jewish Committee, the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, the Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey, the Philadelphia Holocaust Remembrance Foundation and the Pennsylvania Jewish Coalition delivered a joint statement on Twitter “strongly condemning” Jackson’s posts for “promoting notorious anti-Semite, Louis Farrakhan,” and for a quote they said was “falsely attributed to Adolf Hitler.”
“Although Mr. Jackson later posted that he ‘has no hate in his heart,’ his amplification of hatefilled messages sent a very different message,” the statement read. “We commend the Eagles organization for speaking out forcefully against the posts and urging Mr. Jackson to apologize. We appreciate Mr. Jackson’s apology and his removal of the offensive posts, and we hope that he will take this opportunity to work with the Jewish community and become educated about how dangerous and pernicious antisemitism and all forms of hate are.”
Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie and general manager Howie Roseman, among others in the organization, are Jewish. A team statement sternly denounced the media posts but was vague on discipline.
“Regardless of his intentions, the messages he shared were offensive, harmful, and absolutely appalling,” the team statement read. “They have no place in our society and are not condoned or supported in any way by the organization. We are disappointed and we reiterated to DeSean the importance of not only apologizing, but also using his platform to take action to promote unity, equality, and respect. We are continuing to evaluate the circumstances and will take appropriate action. We take these matters very seriously and are committed to continuing to have productive and meaningful conversations with DeSean, as well as all of our players and staff, in order to educate, learn, and grow.”
Jackson’s Instagram featured a post saying he didn’t understand the meaning of the antisemitic quote attributed to Hitler and World War 3. According to Snopes, the passage is fabricated. Jackson did the best he could with his apology.
“I post a lot of things that are sent to me,” Jackson wrote on Instagram. “I do not have hatred towards anyone. I really didn’t realize what this passage was saying. Hitler has caused terrible pain to
Jewish people like the pain African-Americans have suffered. We should be together fighting antiSemitism and racism. This was a mistake to post this and I truly apologize for posting it and sorry for any hurt I have caused.”
Former Eagles president Banner ripped into Jackson.
“If a white player said anything about (African Americans) as outrageous as what DeSean Jackson said about Jews tonight there would at least be a serious conversation about cutting him and a need for a team meeting to discuss,” Banner said on Twitter. “Which would be totally appropriate.
Joe Absolutely indefensible.”
The Eagles had been counting on Jackson, who turns 34 in December, to provide leadership to a young group of receivers that includes first-round draft pick Jalen Reagor. Gauging by the Eagles’ statement it looks like Jackson is going to survive the posts and keep his job.
“We urge Mr. Jackson to use his platform as a professional athlete to promote unity and positivity, rather than the divisive words of a bigot,” the ADL of Philly posted. “Learn more about Farrakhan’s disturbing history of hate and antisemitism.”