DeSean Jackson, one of the most shocking wide receivers in NFL history, will officially retire as an Eagle on Friday.
One of only three players in NFL history with 11,000 receiving yards and 17 yards per catch, Jackson has 15 seasons, three Pro Bowls, and 60 yards per catch, more than anyone who has ever played. He announced his retirement on Wednesday after scoring a touchdown.
The Eagles plan to honor Jackson during Sunday’s game against the 49ers at the rink. Jackson will serve as honorary captain.
During his eight-year stint with the Eagles, Jackson caught 641 passes for 11,263 yards and 58 receiving touchdowns, adding four punt return TDs and four rushing touchdowns.
“DeSean Jackson was a dynamic playmaker who captivated Eagles fans with his game-breaking speed, unique skillset and explosive play,” Jeffrey Lurie said in a statement. “What made Deshaun truly outstanding during his 15-year career was his ability to make miraculous plays seem routine.
“We all remember that fateful night in December 2010 when he scooped up a football in New York and veered into the end zone for what is now famous as the ‘Miracle of the New Meadowlands.’ We are excited to welcome Deshaun back and look forward to celebrating his official retirement as an Eagle on Sunday, where he will serve as honorary captain for the game.”
The Eagles selected Jackson in the second round of the 2008 draft and he immediately made an impact, gaining 106 yards in his first game and 110 yards in his second. His 106 yards in the 2008 season opener against the Rams at the rink are the most by a starter in franchise history, and his 110 yards a week later against Dallas made him the first player in NFL history to reach 100 yards in each game. He became the player who achieved this. He did it in his first two games (the Texans’ Will Fuller did it in 2016).
Jackson increased his total receiving yards in the postseason to 364, including 92 yards in the 2008 NFC Championship Game in Glendale, Arizona, including a 62-yard TD catch from Donovan McNabb. , giving the Eagles a 25-24 lead over the Cards with 10:45 remaining. In the end, the Cards won 32-25.
Jackson spent his first six years with the Eagles, making all three Pro Bowls and averaging 59 catches, 1,020 yards, and 10 touchdowns per season.
He is the only wide receiver in Eagles history to have six consecutive 700-yard seasons. Tight end Zach Ertz also had success.
Chip Kelly released Jackson after the 2013 Pro Bowl season, but his 1,332 yards remain at 3.rd– the most in Eagles history – and he spent two more 1,000-yard seasons in Washington, then two years in Tampa. He returned to the Eagles in 2019 and 2020, but was limited to eight games due to injury. He finished his career with the Raiders and Rams in 2021 and the Ravens last year. He played his final NFL game in the Ravens’ loss to the Steelers on New Year’s Day at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.
Jackson’s career average of 17.6 is 6.th-Highest player in NFL history with at least 500 receptions and highest in the last 30 years.
Jackson’s 26 career touchdowns of 60 yards or more are the most in NFL history, three more than Jerry Rice’s 23, including three for 210 yards with Dallas in 2010.rd-Most in Eagles history (and most in road games). His eight games with 150 yards are three more than any other Eagle. He had 10 in total.
Jackson led the NFL in yards per catch four times with four different teams. His four punt return TDs are tied with Darren Sproles for a franchise record and are in the top 20 in NFL history.
Jackson’s 6,512 yards trail only Hall of Famers Harold Carmichael (8,878 yards) and Pete Retzlaff (7,412 yards) in Eagles history. His 379 catches are 6th-Most (behind only Carmichael, Ertz, Rezlaff, Brian Westbrook, and Brent Celek) with 35 touchdown catches – 9th-largely. His 17.2 points average is behind Tommy McDonald (19.2 points), Ben Hawkins (18.3 points) and Mike Quick (17.8 points).
Jackson’s three 1,000-yard seasons are tied with Quick and Carmichael for the most in Eagles history. McDonald (five), Quick (five) and Carmichael (four) are the only Eagles wideouts to appear in the Pro Bowl three times.
Jackson and Tyreek Hill are the only players in history to have 50 receiving TDs, 4 punt return TDs, and 4 rushing TDs.
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