Edelman wants to meet with Jax about offensive posts

Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman, one of the few Jewish players in the NFL, posted a video Thursday morning about DeSean Jackson’s anti-Semitic posts. The Eagles wide receiver has apologized for posting fake Hitler quotes like “the Jews will blackmail America,” although former NBA player Stephen Jackson continued to defend DeSean Jackson with his own anti-Semitic conspiracy theories.

Edelman only addressed DeSean Jackson on Thursday, inviting him to go to the Holocaust Museum and suggesting that they have “uncomfortable conversations.” Edelman also said that he was called the k-word “on the football field” in 2011; he didn’t say whether it happened during practice or a game.

“I’ve got nothing but respect for his game,” Edelman said. “I know he said some ugly things, but I do see an opportunity to have a conversation. I’m proud of my Jewish heritage, and for me it’s not just about religion. It’s about community and culture as well.

“I’m unusual, because I didn’t identify as Jewish until later in my life. Whenever I encountered hatred, it never really felt like it was aimed at me. It was only after I was part of this community that I learned how destructive hate is. Anti-Semitism is one of the oldest forms of hatred; it’s rooted in ignorance and fear. I remember experiencing a little of this hate in 2011, when I was called a [slur] on the football field.

“Even though we’re talking about anti-Semitism, I don’t want to distract from how important the Black Lives Matter movement is, and how we need to stay behind it. I think the black and Jewish communities have a lot of similarities — they are both attacked by the ignorant and the hateful.” Edelman then addresses Jackson directly, and suggests the two receivers take a trip to the Holocaust Museum and National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington.

Edelman is not the only Jewish player in the league. Chiefs lineman Mitchell Schwartz, the younger brother of ex-Giant and media personality Geoff Schwartz, put out a statement Wednesday night.

“My hope is we can use this moment to shed light on and bring awareness to the hate and oppression the Jewish Community still faces while standing strong with the Black Lives Matter movement,” Schwartz wrote. His statement did not directly mention either Jackson.

The Eagles cut DeSean Jackson five years ago for spurious reasons when he was actually good. It’s hard to see them sticking their necks out for him after a year where he caught nine passes.