#DeSean Jackson in Eagles limbo after ‘appalling’ Adolf Hitler post

The Philadelphia Eagles responded to DeSean Jackson posting anti-Semitic quotes attributed to Adolf Hitler on Instagram, but the team isn’t yet taking action.

The Eagles have been in contact with the 33-year-old wide receiver, who posted an apology, and condemned his posts.

“We have spoken with DeSean Jackson about his social media posts. Regardless of his intentions, the messages he shared were offensive, harmful, and absolutely appalling,” the Eagles said in a statement Tuesday. “They have no place in our society, and are not condoned or supported in any way by the organization. We are disappointed and we reiterated to DeSean the importance of not only apologizing, but also using his platform to take action to promote unity, equality, and respect. We are continuing to evaluate the circumstances and will take appropriate action. We take these matters very seriously and are committed to continuing to have productive and meaningful conversations with DeSean, as well as all of our players and staff, in order to educate, learn, and grow.”

Jackson shared a highlighted quote attributed to Hitler that included, “… the Jews will blackmail America. [They] will extort America, their plan for world domination won’t work if the Negroes know who they were.” He posted the quotes while sharing thoughts on a speech by Louis Farrakhan, the leader of the Nation of Islam who “routinely accuses Jews of manipulating the U.S. government and controlling the levers of world power,” according to the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Jackson acknowledged the controversy stirred by his post.

“I never want to put any race down or any people down. My post was definitely not intended for anybody of any race to feel any type of way, especially the Jewish community,” Jackson said in a video posted to his Instagram Tuesday. “When I posted what I posted, I definitely didn’t mean it to the extent that you guys took it. I just wanted to let you guys know that I’m very apologetic, and I just want you guys to understand it was never intended to put any race down or any religion down. I post things on my story all the time, and I just probably should’ve never posted anything that Hitler did because Hitler was a bad person, and I know that. I was just trying to uplift African-Americans and slavery and just enlighten my people. So on behalf of myself, I just want to let you guys know I apologize. I didn’t intend any harm or any hatred towards any people. I’m for one, I’m for love, and I extend it every day. People that know me know I have no hatred in my heart. I never try to put another religion down to uplift my religion or my race. From the bottom of my heart, I just want you guys to understand that.”

Jackson’s post also got the attention of the NFL.

“DeSean’s comments were highly inappropriate, offensive and divisive and stand in stark contrast to the NFL’s values of respect, equality and inclusion,” the league wrote in a statement. “We have been in contact with the team which is addressing the matter with DeSean.”

Jackson spent his first six NFL seasons with the Eagles, who drafted him in the second round in 2008, and he returned to the team last season in a trade with the Buccaneers. He has two years left on a three-year contract worth up to $27 million.