Opinions on the Philadelphia Eagles’ decision to release DeSean Jackson continue to roll in, and former NFL running back Derrick Ward shared one of the most controversial. Ward defended Jackson on Twitter shortly after the news came out. One of his main arguments is that what a player does in his personal time has nothing to do with production on the field.
Simply put, Ward believes the possibility of Jackson being affiliated with a gang is no reason to release him. Not only are the Eagles unsure if the information is true, but Ward feels that “ballin out for your team” is all that matters.
The @Eagles gonna cut @DeseanJackson10 because they "Think" he might know gang members but they'll keep and resign a well known Racist?
— Derrick Ward (@DerrickWard32) March 28, 2014
I'm born and raised in South Central LA. I have uncles who are still gang bangin cousins who still gang bang. But what does that have to do
— Derrick Ward (@DerrickWard32) March 28, 2014
with someone playing football and ballin out for your team? I'm sorry but Every NFL team knows what there players are doing who there hangin
— Derrick Ward (@DerrickWard32) March 28, 2014
out with. In 6 years has he had 1 single incident? 1 single crime? The NFL is a bunch of BS Im so glad I'm done with that joke of a league
— Derrick Ward (@DerrickWard32) March 28, 2014
Ward also took aim at Tedy Bruschi and Ron Jaworski for their coverage on the topic. He claimed almost all of Bruschi’s former New England Patriots teammates can’t stand him.
Im sorry but has @DeseanJackson10 ever been arrested? Suspended? DUI? Drugs? No so why are these dumb asses on @espn trying to make him seem
— Derrick Ward (@DerrickWard32) March 28, 2014
and @RonJaworski_BFL shut the F**k up. You sound so dumb right now. and fake ass Teddy Bruschi for someone who use to play in the league
— Derrick Ward (@DerrickWard32) March 28, 2014
recently you sure are trying your hardest to act like you where Gods gift to football. I know almost everyone of your old teammates hated u
— Derrick Ward (@DerrickWard32) March 28, 2014
because you where that one guy that everyone had on there team that goes and snitches to the head coach about other players. Bottom line
— Derrick Ward (@DerrickWard32) March 28, 2014
We get why Ward is upset with people for jumping to conclusions — if you even want to call it that. We’re not saying Jackson goes around “gang banging” in his free time, but it was his decision to flash the Crips sign on more than one occasion.
Ward’s assertion that a team shouldn’t care what type of people Jackson is hanging out with as long as he is putting up numbers is absurd. Football is a business, and teams invest millions of dollars in top talent. Players who associate with criminals represent a greater financial risk. See: Hernandez, Aaron.
