DeSean Jackson apologizes for several social media posts
Veteran Eagles wide receiver had included antiSemitic quote attributed to Hitler.
Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson apologized in a video Tuesday after posting anti-Semitic messages that he attributed to Adolf Hitler and Louis Farrakhan.
The Eagles, in a statement, said the team found Jackson’s posts “offensive, harmful and absolutely appalling” and added it will take appropriate action without specifying what that meant. The statement also urged Jackson to use his platform to “take action to promote unity, equality and respect.”
Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie and general manager Howie Roseman are Jewish.
Jackson’s apology came one day after he posted a passage from a book supposedly quoting Hitler, although the quote isn’t genuine. The quote was filled with anti-Semitic comments blaming Jews for the plight of Blacks.
Jackson’s statement to go along with his video said: “Hitler has caused terrible pain to Jewish people like the pain African-Americans have suffered. We should be together fighting anti-Semitism and racism. This was a mistake to post this and I truly apologize for posting it and sorry for any hurt I have caused.”
Then in the video, Jackson said: “I just want to first off, extend an apology on behalf of me and what I stand for because I never want to put any race down or any people down. My post was definitely not intended for anybody of any race to feel any type of way, especially the Jewish community. What I posted, I didn’t mean it to the extent that you guys took it.”
In his posts, Jackson also praised Farrakhan, the leader of a group called the Nation of Islam who has made anti-Semitic comments for decades.
Jackson, at first, tried backtracking from the passages that he posted, writing Monday night, “Anyone who feels I have hate towards the Jewish community took my post the wrong way I have no hatred in my heart towards no-one!! Equality Equality.”
The Eagles, in their statement, said they had spoken to Jackson about his posts, and his apology followed soon after the team’s statement came out.
Jackson, who has made the Pro Bowl three times, has had an active role in team meetings the past several weeks in discussions on race relations stemming from the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis in May.
Martin Frank