Malcolm Jenkins Calls DeSean Jackson Controversy a 'Distraction'
The controversy surrounding Eagles receiver DeSean Jackson's anti-Semitic Instagram posts shows no signs of slowing down as various pundits continue to weigh in.
The latest is former Eagles safety and current CNN analyst Malcolm Jenkins, who posted an Instagram video Friday calling Jackson’s postings “wrong” while also encouraging others who believe in social justice reform to “stay focused.”
“We gotta stay focused,” Jenkins, the leader of the NFL Players Coalition and a member of the New Orleans Saints, said in the video. “All of this back and forth that's going on right now is a distraction. Comments were made, and they were wrong. Allow those who were impacted by it to voice their grievances.”
The caption of Jenkins' post further addressed the concerns from the Jewish community.
“We can honor the Jewish heritage and trauma while staying focused on what matters,” Jenkins wrote. “Jewish people aren’t our problem, and we aren’t their problem. Let’s not lose focus on what the problem truly is, and that’s that Black lives still don’t matter in this country.”
In the video, Jenkins finished by encouraging the like-minded to stay on point.
“But we've got to stay focused. Because Breonna Taylor's killers are still not arrested,” Jenkins said. “We're still fighting for justice. We've got a lot of work to do. And this ain't it. Stay focused.”
The caption offered a similar sentiment.
“Push this energy toward arresting and convicting the killers of Breonna Taylor and burning systemic racism to the ground,” the Pro Bowl safety wrote.
Jackson found himself in hot water after posting disturbing quotes incorrectly attributed to Adolf Hitler, along with anti-Semitic comments from Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan.
The Eagles called Jackson's behavior "appalling" in a statement earlier this week and reportedly fined the 33-year-old on Friday. Jackson has apologized in both video and written form.
Since then, reaction has trickled with some supporting Jackson and others condemning his actions.
The Eagles seem to be moving forward with the intent of keeping Jackson, who's the only proven receiver on the team with Alshon Jeffery still rehabbing after foot surgery.
John McMullen contributes Eagles coverage for SI.com's EagleMaven and is the NFL Insider for JAKIB Media. You can listen to John every Monday and Friday on SIRIUSXM’s Tony Bruno Show with Harry Mayes, and every Tuesday and Thursday with Eytan Shander on SBNation Radio. You can reach him at jmcmullen44@gmail.com or on Twitter @JFMcMullen
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