DeSean Jackson was cut by the Eagles this past Friday following what many have called the best season in his career. His off the field associations have been in question and is a reason he was cut, I think the Aaron Hernandez case has a play in all of this because the Eagles could have been concerned that Jackson would be involved in some of the same things.
I did some research to see what the off the field issues appeared to be and this is what I gathered:
DeSean Jackson has been tied to gang members of the Crips accused of killing a 14 year old who flashed a gang sign at them, it should be noted that Jackson was not around at the time of the killing. He is also associated with men involved in another killing, all of this is found in an artice on www.nj.com, this is the link to the work:
http://www.nj.com/eagles/index.ssf/2014/03/eagles_desean_jackson_off-the-field_troubles.html
While the article says Jackson was not involved in the murders nor is there any hard evidence that he is a member of the Crips gang it should be a little scary to see these pop up. Jackson is talented but when these red flags surface it can be a little scary to the team that carries him on their roster.
If you ask me I truly believe the Aaron Hernandez incident has a role in this move by the Eagles, nobody in the Patriots organization knew what he did was coming, and the Eagles were probably worried Jackson could go down the same path. While Jackson is not connected to any murders the Eagles may have felt it was best to cut him and take the cap hit in the event he did kill someone or get involved in other gang like activities.
I do not think it is fair to judge Jackson off the actions of another player, and I think Andy Reid the coach who drafted him and coached him should speak up and give his take. Chip Kelly had Jackson for one season before having a hand in his release so it would be important to hear Reid's words on this situation and Jackson.
I will not be surprised if Jackson is not the only player affected by the Aaron Hernandez case which shook up the NFL. Hernandez fell off draft boards and fell in the draft because of his failed drug tests and shady affiliations off the field. Now players like Jackson will suffer because of this tragedy that unfolded not far from Hernandez's Massachusetts home.
Some other concerns were raised in the article cited above stating that it appears Jackson through up Crip signs at DeAngelo Hall and also in a Snopp Dogg video. I am not a gang expert but to me that warrants concern, if he is not part of the gang why is he doing that? Do I think it is fair to harshly judge Jackson? No. I think it is in the best interest of teams to look into his background in depth.
The Patriots paid Hernandez very well before he allegedly killed Odin Lloyd and possibly 2 others in a shooting in Boston in 2012.
Hernandez's ugly arrest will haunt the league for a long time in my eyes and as mentioned Jackson will be the first of many to feel the rippling affects from that case.
I would not be surprised to see players fall in the draft over character concerns as well, Johnny Manziel could fall (again I feel that is unfair) but it is a possibility. Some analysts have said they would not take him in the first three rounds, so there is some concern over his issues as well.
Players like Hernandez and even Michael Vick have proven to fool fans in the NFL time and time again when felony charges are brought against them when nobody saw any of them coming.
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