DeSean Jackson recently inked a 3-year $24 million dollar contract with the Washington Redskins. Jackson's release by the Philadelphia Eagles was a surprise especially after coming off a season where he caught 92 passes for 1,332 yards and 9 touchdowns.
Based on reports out of Philadelphia his worth ethic was in question along with his attitude and overall commitment to the team. The straw that likely broke the camel's back was Jackson's alleged affiliation with a gang.
Excuse me, but allegations are one thing and facts are another.
Furthermore, if Jackson was such a problem why didn't the Eagles part ways with him during the season?
Let's further examine.
Last off season another Eagles wide receiver made headlines for uttering a racial slur. Riley Cooper, while attending a Kenny Chesney concert, was caught on camera angrily saying the N-Word.
Does anyone remember?
I only ask because there's a large segment of the sports media contingent that has chosen to bury the Cooper story. For the sake of bringing clarity to Jackson's situation I will use how the Eagles organization treated Cooper in comparison to Jackson.
Cooper was initially hammered by the media -- so much so he was sent home and fined and undisclosed amount of cash. Surprisingly several days later Cooper was back on the field resuming his duties after supposedly attending counseling sessions.
With an injury to wideout Jeremy Maclin, Cooper received a lot more playing time this past season. Cooper remained silent about the slur and the media did not press the issue.
Cooper's despicable utterance has been forgiven by the Eagles. He was graciously welcomed back into the fold and ultimately rewarded while simultaneously rumors began surfacing about Jackson's imminent release.
For hurling the N-word, catching 47 balls for 865 yards and 8 touchdowns Cooper received a raise in the form of a 5-year $25 million dollar contract.
Meanwhile Jackson -- who was coming off his best season as a pro -- was released based on biased evaluations and allegations yet the same Eagles organization kept Cooper for uttering the ugliest term a white person can hurl at an African-American.
Based on how the Eagles organization handled Jackson versus Cooper one can logically infer it's acceptable for white players to utter racial slurs on video but African-Americans like Jackson are held to higher standards based on subjectivity and allegations.
This particular angle has not garnered a lot of press because few are afraid to address the situation from this vantage point, but not Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman. Sherman recently expressed the following: "This off-season they re-signed a player who was caught on video screaming, 'I will fight every n--- here.' He was representing the Philadelphia Eagles when he said it, because, of course, everything we do is reflective of the organization. But what did they do to Riley Cooper, who, if he's not a racist, at least has 'ties' to racist activity?"
Sherman continued, "They fined him and sent him to counseling. No suspension necessary for Cooper and no punishment from the NFL, despite its new interest in policing our use of the N-word on the field. Riley instead got a few days off from training camp and a nice contract in the off-season, too."
I guess if you are of a certain complexion you get special treatment. If you own a team like Indianapolis Colts' Jim Irsay, who faces four felony counts for driving while under the influence of drugs, you go to counseling and the media stays away.
If you are of a certain complexion it's acceptable to get caught on camera hurling the N-Word around on camera. In the Eagles eyes such behavior commands a 5-year $25 million dollar contract.
If you are African-American the deck is stacked and you are subjected to different treatment. The largely white sports media lurks ready to embellish and pounce at a moment's notice when negativity abounds yet whites like Cooper are seemingly exempt.
This is the same NFL headed by Sheriff -- I'm sorry -- Commissioner Roger Goodell that is strongly considering banning the N-Word. Without question such legislation will affect African-American players who use the term largely in an endearing fashion yet white likes Cooper get contract extensions for using the word in haste.
Only in America.
Without question there are racial undertones to this situation based on how Jackson was treated when compared to Cooper. I find it arrogant and highly insensitive for the Eagles organization to embrace a white player uttering the N-word while unfairly labeling an African-American player for what equates to heresay.
In closing, if Cooper was embraced for his despicable behavior then Jackson should have been embraced as well. What's good for the goose is good for the gander.
I believe Jackson received a raw deal from the Eagles and was victimized by a racial double-standard. It seems the Philadelphia the Eagles organization reserves their brotherly love for their own kind-both literally and figuratively.
Email Dexter directly: drttcd@gmail.com