History of DeSean Jackson in Timeline

DeSean Jackson is an American college football coach and former NFL player, currently the head football coach at Delaware State University. He was a wide receiver known for his exceptional speed and deep-threat ability. He played college football at California, earning All-American honors twice. Drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2008, he played for multiple teams including the Washington Redskins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Los Angeles Rams, and Baltimore Ravens. Jackson was a three-time Pro Bowl selection and the first player named to the Pro Bowl at two different positions in the same year (wide receiver and return specialist in 2010). After retiring from the NFL, he transitioned to coaching.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

December 1, 1986: Birth of DeSean Jackson

On December 1, 1986, DeSean William Jackson was born. He is known for his speed and as one of the best deep threats in NFL history.

Others born on this day/year

1988: Keith Jackson's Rookie Season

In 1988, Keith Jackson had 81 receptions, the most by an Eagles rookie.

1999: Redskins Tandem

In 1999, a Redskins tandem reached 1,000 yards receiving in a season-finale loss to the Giants, marking the first time since then that a Redskins tandem achieved this feat.

2004: Glenn Davis Award

In 2004, DeSean Jackson was named the Glenn Davis Award winner by the Los Angeles Times as Southern California's player of the year.

2004: U.S. Army All-American Bowl MVP

In 2004, DeSean Jackson was voted the Most Valuable Player at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio after catching seven passes for 141 yards and passing for a 45-yard touchdown.

2005: Collegiate Debut

In 2005, DeSean Jackson made his collegiate debut against Sacramento State, scoring both an offensive and special teams touchdown. During the 2005 Las Vegas Bowl game against BYU, Jackson tallied 130 yards and two scores.

2006: First-Team All-American Selection

In 2006, DeSean Jackson was recognized as a first-team All-American for his performance as a wide receiver for the California Golden Bears.

2007: Departure from Cal

Following the 2007 season, DeSean Jackson left Cal.

2007: All-American as Return Specialist

In 2007, DeSean Jackson finished the season with 65 catches for 762 yards and scored six touchdowns as a receiver. Jackson was named an All-American as a return specialist.

2007: Second First-Team All-American Selection

In 2007, DeSean Jackson was again recognized as a first-team All-American for his performance as a wide receiver for the California Golden Bears.

2007: Focus on Football

In 2007, due to the success of his freshman football season in 2005, DeSean Jackson chose to focus exclusively on football instead of also playing baseball.

April 26, 2008: Drafted by Philadelphia Eagles

On April 26, 2008, DeSean Jackson was selected in the second round (49th overall) of the 2008 NFL draft by the Philadelphia Eagles.

2008: NFL Combine Performance

During the 2008 NFL Combine, DeSean Jackson had an impressive showing, running an official 4.35 40-yard dash and displaying agility and quickness. Jerry Rice said Jackson "has all the talent in the world. There's no reason he can't be everything he wants to be at the next level."

2008: Declared for NFL Draft

In 2008, DeSean Jackson declared for the NFL draft after leaving Cal following the 2007 season.

2008: Drafted by Philadelphia Eagles

In 2008, DeSean Jackson was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round of the NFL draft.

May 14, 2009: Death of Father

On May 14, 2009, DeSean Jackson's father, Bill Jackson, passed away after being hospitalized with pancreatic cancer during the Eagles' playoff run earlier in the year.

2009: Sporting News All-Pro Team Selection

In 2009, DeSean Jackson was selected to the Sporting News' All-Pro team as a punt returner, averaging 15.2 yards per punt return as the league leader.

January 3, 2010: NFC Wild Card Game vs. Cowboys

On January 3, 2010, in the NFC Wild Card Game against the Dallas Cowboys, DeSean Jackson had three catches for 14 yards, including a six-yard touchdown pass, in the 34–14 loss.

December 19, 2010: Game-Winning Punt Return vs. Giants

On December 19, 2010, DeSean Jackson returned a punt 65 yards for a touchdown in the final 14 seconds of the game to lead the Eagles to a win against the New York Giants. It is the first and only game-winning punt return on the final play from scrimmage in NFL history.

2010: Pro Bowl Selection

DeSean Jackson was selected to the 2010 Pro Bowl as a starting wide receiver and a kick returner. At the Pro Bowl, Jackson caught six passes for a team-high 101 yards and two touchdowns.

2010: Pro Bowl Selection at Two Positions

In 2010, DeSean Jackson was selected to the Pro Bowl as a wide receiver and return specialist, making him the first player selected to the Pro Bowl at two different positions in the same year.

April 2011: Won a Competition of Hole in the Wall

In April 2011, DeSean Jackson won a competition of Hole in the Wall.

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July 28, 2011: Failed to Report to Training Camp

On July 28, 2011, DeSean Jackson failed to report to Eagles' training camp at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, as required in his contract. Jackson faced fines of $30,000-a-day until he reported to camp.

March 1, 2012: Eagles' Franchise Tag

On March 1, 2012, DeSean Jackson received the Eagles' franchise tag.

2012: Ranked 71st in NFL Top 100

In 2012, DeSean Jackson was ranked 71st by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players.

2013: Best Season with the Eagles

In 2013, DeSean Jackson had statistically the best season of his career with the Eagles. He led the team with 82 receptions for 1,332 yards and earned his third Pro Bowl selection.

March 28, 2014: Release from the Eagles

On March 28, 2014, DeSean Jackson was released by the Eagles, despite having statistically his best season of his career in 2013.

April 2, 2014: Signs with the Washington Redskins

On April 2, 2014, DeSean Jackson signed a three-year, $24 million contract with the Washington Redskins.

September 14, 2014: Bruised Shoulder Injury

On September 14, 2014, DeSean Jackson suffered a bruised left shoulder against the Jacksonville Jaguars and was forced to leave the game in the first half.

October 17, 2014: Fined for Horse-Collar Tackle

On October 17, 2014, DeSean Jackson was fined $16,537 for a horse-collar tackle on Arizona Cardinals safety Rashad Johnson in Week 6.

2015: Ranked on NFL Top 100 Players of 2015

In 2015, DeSean Jackson was ranked 50th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players list.

March 9, 2017: Signs with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

On March 9, 2017, DeSean Jackson signed a three-year, $33.5 million contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

2017: Small Role in "All Eyez on Me"

In 2017, DeSean Jackson had a small role in the film "All Eyez on Me".

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September 9, 2018: Two Touchdowns Against New Orleans Saints

On September 9, 2018, DeSean Jackson caught five passes for 146 yards and two touchdowns in the season-opening win against the New Orleans Saints. He also tied for third most in NFL history with his 27th-career touchdown over 50 yards.

2018: League Leader in Yards-Per-Reception

In 2018, DeSean Jackson ended the season with enough receptions (41 for 774 yards) to qualify as the league-leader in yards-per-reception (18.9) for the fourth time in his career.

March 13, 2019: Traded back to the Eagles

On March 13, 2019, DeSean Jackson was traded back to the Eagles.

July 2020: Controversial Instagram Post

In July 2020, DeSean Jackson posted an Instagram story featuring a quote falsely attributed to Adolf Hitler, espousing Black Hebrew Israelite ideology.

October 26, 2020: Placed on Injured Reserve

On October 26, 2020, DeSean Jackson was placed on injured reserve due to a lower body injury.

December 26, 2020: Activated from Injured Reserve

On December 26, 2020, DeSean Jackson was activated from injured reserve.

2020: Draft Selection

In 2020, Jackson and a seventh-round selection were traded to the Eagles.

February 19, 2021: Released by the Eagles

On February 19, 2021, DeSean Jackson was released by the Eagles.

March 21, 2021: Signed with the Los Angeles Rams

On March 21, 2021, DeSean Jackson signed with the Los Angeles Rams.

November 8, 2021: Signs with the Las Vegas Raiders

On November 8, 2021, DeSean Jackson signed with the Las Vegas Raiders.

October 18, 2022: Signed to Baltimore Ravens' Practice Squad

On October 18, 2022, DeSean Jackson was signed to the Baltimore Ravens' practice squad, becoming the oldest active receiver in the NFL.

December 5, 2022: Signed to Ravens' Active Roster

On December 5, 2022, DeSean Jackson was signed to the Baltimore Ravens' active roster.

January 7, 2023: Released by the Ravens

On January 7, 2023, DeSean Jackson was released by the Baltimore Ravens.

November 29, 2023: Retires as an Eagle

On November 29, 2023, DeSean Jackson signed a one-day contract with the Philadelphia Eagles to officially retire as a member of the Eagles.

December 27, 2024: Named Head Football Coach at Delaware State University

On December 27, 2024, DeSean Jackson was named the head football coach at Delaware State University.

2024: Hired as Offensive Coordinator

In 2024, DeSean Jackson was hired as the offensive coordinator for Woodrow Wilson Classical High School.

2024: Named Head Football Coach at Delaware State

Near the end of the 2024 season, DeSean Jackson was named the head football coach at Delaware State.

June 2025: Nomination for College Football Hall of Fame

In June 2025, DeSean Jackson was named one of the 79 nominees for the 2026 class of the College Football Hall of Fame.

2026: College Football Hall of Fame Nomination Year