DeSean Jackson facts for kids
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Jackson with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2019
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| Current position | |
|---|---|
| Title | Head coach |
| Team | Delaware State |
| Conference | MEAC |
| Record | 0–0 |
| Biographical details | |
| Born | December 1, 1986 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Alma mater | University of California, Berkeley |
| Playing career | |
| 2005–2007 | California |
| 2008–2013 | Philadelphia Eagles |
| 2014–2016 | Washington Redskins |
| 2017–2018 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
| 2019–2020 | Philadelphia Eagles |
| 2021 | Los Angeles Rams |
| 2021 | Las Vegas Raiders |
| 2022 | Baltimore Ravens |
| Position(s) | Wide receiver |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 2024 | Woodrow Wilson HS (CA) (OC) |
| 2025–present | Delaware State |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 0–0 |
| Accomplishments and honors | |
| Awards | |
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DeSean William Jackson (born December 1, 1986) is an American college football coach and former player. He is currently the head football coach at Delaware State University. Jackson was known for his incredible speed during his playing career. Many consider him one of the best players at catching long passes in NFL history.
He played college football as a wide receiver for the California Golden Bears. There, he was named a first-team All-American twice, in 2006 and 2007. The Philadelphia Eagles picked him in the second round of the 2008 NFL draft. He also played for the Washington Redskins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Los Angeles Rams, and Baltimore Ravens. Jackson was chosen for the Pro Bowl three times. He made history by being the first player selected for the Pro Bowl at two different positions in the same year (wide receiver and return specialist in 2010). After retiring as a player, Jackson started a coaching career. He became the head football coach at Delaware State in late 2024.
Early Life and High School Football
DeSean Jackson was born in Los Angeles, California. He grew up in the Crenshaw neighborhood of the city. His older brother, Byron, also played wide receiver at San Jose State.
Jackson went to Long Beach Polytechnic High School. This school is famous for producing many NFL players. He became one of the best wide receiver recruits in the country. In 2004, he won the Glenn Davis Award as Southern California's player of the year. He also ran track and played baseball. Both the Tampa Bay Rays and Philadelphia Phillies baseball teams scouted him. In track, he could run the 100 meters in just 10.5 seconds.
In his senior year, Jackson caught 60 passes for 1,075 yards and 15 touchdowns. He helped his team win a CIF Southern Section championship. In the championship game, he even played defensive back and made two interceptions. One of these he returned 68 yards for a touchdown.
To finish his high school career, Jackson was named the Most Valuable Player at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. He caught seven passes for 141 yards and even threw a 45-yard touchdown pass. He chose to play college football at the University of California, Berkeley.
College Football Career
Jackson played for the California Golden Bears football team from 2005 to 2007. In his very first college game in 2005, he scored two touchdowns. One was a 49-yard punt return. As a freshman, he had 38 catches for 601 yards and seven touchdowns. He also had three games where he gained over 100 receiving yards.
In his second year, Jackson continued to impress. He gained 1,060 receiving yards and scored nine touchdowns. He also returned four punts for touchdowns. He was named first-team All-Pac-10 as both a punt returner and a wide receiver. He also earned national recognition as a first-team All-American punt returner. Jackson even won the first-ever Randy Moss Award for being the best returner in the nation.
Jackson was considered a Heisman Trophy candidate in his junior year. He started strong with a 77-yard punt return for a touchdown. He finished the 2007 season with 65 catches for 762 yards and six receiving touchdowns. He was again named an All-American as a return specialist.
After the 2007 season, Jackson decided to enter the 2008 NFL draft. He left Cal holding Pac-10 records for most punts returned for a touchdown in a season (four) and in a career (six). He ranks third all-time at California for receiving yards (2,423) and receiving touchdowns (22). In June 2025, Jackson was nominated for the 2026 class of the College Football Hall of Fame.
Professional Football Career
Joining the NFL
| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand size | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 ft 9+3⁄4 in (1.77 m) |
169 lb (77 kg) |
29+3⁄4 in (0.76 m) |
9+3⁄8 in (0.24 m) |
4.35 s | 1.55 s | 2.53 s | 4.19 s | 6.82 s | 34.5 in (0.88 m) |
10 ft 2 in (3.10 m) |
||
| Measurables and 40-yard dash from 2008 NFL Combine; all other values from Pro Day workout | ||||||||||||
Before the 2008 NFL draft, Jackson was seen as one of the top wide receivers. His only concern was his smaller size. At the 2008 NFL Combine, Jackson ran an impressive 4.35-second 40-yard dash. He also showed great agility and quickness in drills.
Philadelphia Eagles (First Time)
The Philadelphia Eagles drafted Jackson in the second round (49th overall) of the 2008 NFL draft. He was the seventh wide receiver chosen. He signed a four-year contract with the team.
Rookie Season (2008)
Jackson had a strong preseason, including a 76-yard punt return for a touchdown. He started the first game of the season as a rookie. In his first game, he had six catches for 106 yards. He also returned eight punts for 97 yards. He set a rookie record for all-purpose yards for a wide receiver. In a game against the Dallas Cowboys, Jackson famously dropped the ball before crossing the goal line while celebrating. This mistake cost him his first NFL touchdown. He still finished the game with 110 receiving yards.
Jackson scored his first official offensive touchdown against the Chicago Bears. The following week, he returned his first punt for a touchdown, a 68-yard run. He finished his rookie season with 62 receptions and 912 receiving yards, both Eagles rookie records for a wide receiver. He also led the NFL with 50 punt returns for 440 yards.
Breakout Season (2009)
In Week 1 of 2009, Jackson had an 85-yard punt return for a touchdown. He had 149 receiving yards against the Kansas City Chiefs, including a 64-yard touchdown. Against the Washington Redskins, he caught a 57-yard touchdown pass and scored a 67-yard rushing touchdown on a reverse play. He was named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week.
In December, Jackson had a career-best game against the New York Giants. He caught six passes for 178 yards, including a 60-yard touchdown. He also returned a punt 72 yards for a touchdown. This game gave him eight touchdowns of over 50 yards in one season, tying an NFL record. He was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week.
Jackson finished the 2009 season as the Eagles' leading receiver with 1,167 yards. He was chosen for the 2010 Pro Bowl as both a starting wide receiver and a kick returner. This was the first time a player was selected at two different positions for the Pro Bowl.
"Miracle at the New Meadowlands" (2010)
Jackson continued his strong play in 2010. He had 135 receiving yards against the Detroit Lions and 153 yards against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He scored two touchdowns against the Atlanta Falcons, but suffered a serious concussion in that game. He returned to play in November.
On December 19, 2010, Jackson made history in a game against the New York Giants. The Eagles were losing 31–10 with less than eight minutes left. They made an amazing comeback to tie the game at 31–31. With only 14 seconds left, Jackson received a punt. He fumbled it at first, but then picked it up and ran 65 yards for a touchdown. He ran parallel to the goal line to run out the clock. This was the first and only game-winning punt return on the final play in NFL history. This play is known as the "Miracle at the New Meadowlands."
Jackson finished the 2010 season as the team's leading receiver with 1,056 yards.
Later Eagles Years (2011-2013)
In 2011, Jackson missed some training camp time due to contract issues. He also faced some fines for missing meetings and for unsportsmanlike conduct. He still finished as the Eagles' leading receiver with 961 yards.
In 2012, Jackson signed a five-year contract with the Eagles. He had over 100 receiving yards in two games before breaking his ribs. He finished with 45 catches for 700 yards in 11 games.
The 2013 season was statistically Jackson's best. He had a career-high nine receptions for 193 yards against San Diego. He also had his first game with multiple receiving touchdowns. He set another career high with 10 receptions for 195 yards against Minnesota. He led the team with 82 receptions for 1,332 yards. This earned him his third Pro Bowl selection. Despite his great season, the Eagles released Jackson in March 2014. He left the Eagles ranking high in franchise history for receiving yards, receptions, and receiving touchdowns.
Washington Redskins
On April 2, 2014, Jackson signed a three-year contract with the Washington Redskins.
2014 Season
In his return to Philadelphia to play against his former team, Jackson caught an 81-yard touchdown pass. His jersey from that game was displayed at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He became only the third player in NFL history to score an 80-yard touchdown both for and against a team. Jackson had six games with over 100 receiving yards. He finished the season with 56 catches for a team-leading 1,169 yards and six touchdowns. He also led the NFL for the second time in his career with 20.9 yards per catch.
2015 and 2016 Seasons
Jackson dealt with injuries in 2015, including a hamstring injury that kept him out for much of the season. He still managed to catch a 77-yard touchdown pass in December. He finished with 30 catches for 528 yards and 4 touchdowns.
In 2016, Jackson returned to form. He had 6 catches for 102 yards in the first game. He went over 100 yards in four out of five games late in the season. This included an 80-yard go-ahead touchdown against his former team, the Eagles. He finished the year with 56 receptions for 1,005 yards and 4 touchdowns. He led the NFL for the third time with 17.9 yards per catch.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
On March 9, 2017, Jackson signed a three-year contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In 2017, he caught his first touchdown as a Buccaneer in September. He finished the season with 50 catches for 668 yards and three touchdowns.
In 2018, Jackson started strong with five catches for 146 yards and two touchdowns in the first game. His 58-yard touchdown was his 27th career touchdown over 50 yards, placing him third in NFL history. He also surpassed 10,000 career receiving yards. He led the league in yards-per-reception for the fourth time in his career with 18.9 yards per catch.
Philadelphia Eagles (Second Time)
On March 13, 2019, Jackson was traded back to the Eagles. In his first game back, he caught eight passes for 154 yards and two touchdowns against the Washington Redskins. Both touchdowns were long passes, bringing his total to 31 career touchdown receptions over 50 yards. This placed him second in NFL history, passing Randy Moss. He later had surgery for a core muscle injury.
In 2020, Jackson played in five games due to injuries. He caught an 81-yard touchdown pass against the Dallas Cowboys. This touchdown extended his record to 25 touchdowns of 60 yards or more. It also tied him for 5th all-time with 5 touchdowns of 80 yards or more. The Eagles released him in February 2021.
Later NFL Teams
Jackson signed with the Los Angeles Rams in March 2021. He scored his first touchdown with the Rams on a 75-yard pass. He was released by the Rams in November 2021. The Rams went on to win Super Bowl LVI, and Jackson received a Super Bowl ring for being on their roster during the season.
On November 8, 2021, Jackson signed with the Las Vegas Raiders. He had three catches for 102 yards and a touchdown in a win against the Dallas Cowboys. He finished the 2021 season with 20 catches for 454 yards and two touchdowns.
On October 18, 2022, Jackson joined the Baltimore Ravens' practice squad. He became the oldest active receiver in the NFL. He caught a 62-yard pass in Week 12 that set up a game-winning touchdown. He was released in January 2023.
Retirement
On November 29, 2023, DeSean Jackson signed a one-day contract with the Philadelphia Eagles. This allowed him to officially retire as a member of the Eagles team.
NFL Career Statistics
| Legend | |
|---|---|
| Led the league | |
| Bold | Career high |
Regular season
| Year | Team | Games | Receiving | Rushing | Punt Returns | Kick Returns | Fumbles | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Att | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Ret | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Ret | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Fum | Lost | ||
| 2008 | PHI | 16 | 15 | 62 | 912 | 14.7 | 60 | 2 | 17 | 96 | 5.6 | 21 | 1 | 50 | 440 | 8.8 | 68 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 12.0 | 12 | 0 | 4 | 2 |
| 2009 | PHI | 15 | 15 | 62 | 1,156 | 18.6 | 71T | 9 | 11 | 137 | 12.5 | 67T | 1 | 29 | 441 | 15.2 | 85 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
| 2010 | PHI | 14 | 14 | 47 | 1,056 | 22.5 | 91T | 6 | 16 | 104 | 6.5 | 31 | 1 | 20 | 231 | 11.6 | 65 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 1 |
| 2011 | PHI | 15 | 15 | 58 | 961 | 16.6 | 62T | 4 | 7 | 41 | 5.9 | 18 | 0 | 17 | 114 | 6.7 | 51 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 7.0 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 2012 | PHI | 11 | 11 | 45 | 700 | 15.6 | 77T | 2 | 3 | −7 | −2.3 | 5 | 0 | 1 | −3 | −3.0 | −3 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 0 |
| 2013 | PHI | 16 | 16 | 82 | 1,332 | 16.2 | 61T | 9 | 3 | 2 | 0.7 | 8 | 0 | 14 | 71 | 5.1 | 32 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 10.0 | 10 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2014 | WAS | 15 | 13 | 56 | 1,169 | 20.9 | 81T | 6 | 4 | 7 | 1.8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | WAS | 9 | 9 | 30 | 528 | 17.6 | 77T | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | −5 | −2.5 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 8.0 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 2016 | WAS | 15 | 15 | 56 | 1,005 | 17.9 | 80T | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | TB | 14 | 13 | 50 | 668 | 13.4 | 41 | 3 | 3 | 38 | 12.7 | 23 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | TB | 12 | 10 | 41 | 774 | 18.9 | 75T | 4 | 6 | 29 | 4.8 | 14T | 1 | 5 | 24 | 4.8 | 11 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | PHI | 3 | 3 | 9 | 159 | 17.7 | 53T | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | PHI | 5 | 5 | 14 | 236 | 16.9 | 81T | 1 | 1 | 12 | 12.0 | 12 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2.0 | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | LAR | 7 | 0 | 8 | 221 | 27.6 | 75T | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 |
| LV | 9 | 4 | 12 | 233 | 19.4 | 56T | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4.0 | 4 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | |
| 2022 | BAL | 7 | 1 | 9 | 153 | 17.0 | 62 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 |
| Career | 183 | 159 | 641 | 11,263 | 17.6 | 91T | 58 | 72 | 463 | 6.4 | 67 | 4 | 140 | 1,315 | 9.4 | 85 | 4 | 5 | 37 | 7.4 | 12 | 0 | 16 | 7 | |
Coaching Career
Woodrow Wilson High School
In 2024, Jackson was hired as the offensive coordinator for Woodrow Wilson Classical High School. This role involves planning and directing the team's offensive plays.
Delaware State University
On December 27, 2024, Jackson was named the head football coach at Delaware State University. He is now in charge of the entire football program.
Head Coaching Record
| Year | Team | Overall | Conference | Standing | Bowl/playoffs | Coaches# | AP° | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delaware State Spartans (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) (2025–present) | |||||||||
| 2025 | Delaware State | 0–0 | 0–0 | ||||||
| Delaware State: | 0–0 | 0–0 | |||||||
| Total: | 0–0 | ||||||||
Personal Life
Jackson lives in Moorestown, New Jersey. He was featured on the cover of the PlayStation 2 version of the video game NCAA Football 09. Jackson also won a competition on the game show Hole in the Wall in April 2011. He had a small role in the 2017 movie All Eyez on Me.
Jackson has sometimes received media attention for plays where he celebrated too early. These actions sometimes caused him to lose touchdowns. In the movie Silver Linings Playbook, a therapist suggests that the main character wear Jackson's jersey.
See also
In Spanish: DeSean Jackson para niños
