Please share this link with your family, friends, community and faith-based organizations. Please also visit the Jackson family website (www.deseanjacksonsfoundation.org), to learn more about the sacrifices the Jackson family have made and the impact they continue to make as Bill Jackson’s legacy continues. DeSean Jackson and the DeSean Jackson Foundation are avid supporters of MGB Inc. (Men Giving Back) in Macon, GA and the impact that they have made in our community has truly been a blessing. – Kelvin B. Middleton, CEO, MGB Inc.
Congrats to NFL All Pro, DeSean Jackson, on his First Super Bowl Championship Honor, from MGB Inc. (Men Giving Back) – Macon, GA.
DeSean Jackson was part of the Los Angeles Rams’ Super Bowl ring bestowment ceremonies, as he showcased his Super Bowl ring on his Instagram story. The veteran receiver, who remains a free agent, earned the first championship honor of his career despite asking to be traded from the Los Angeles Rams prior to the postseason, his last game in blue and yellow coming in October.
Born in Los Angeles, Jackson later starred at Cal-Berkeley before the Philadelphia Eagles drafted him in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft.
Jackson earned 221 yards on only eight receptions in seven games with Los Angeles, most of that tally coming in the Rams’ September victory over the defending champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He and the Rams parted ways midway through the season after he struggled to gain opportunities behind Cooper Kupp, Van Jefferson, and Robert Woods.
Los Angeles attempted to find a training partner and outright released him in November when such efforts proved futile. Jackson signed with the Las Vegas Raiders shortly after and earned 249 yards on 13 receptions in nine games, including a Wild Card appearance against the Rams’ Super Bowl opponents from Cincinnati.
The sign of goodwill from the Rams is perhaps no surprise after head coach Sean McVay admitted that Jackson deserved better opportunities than what he was offered in Los Angeles.
“I think really, what it boils down to is opportunities that I think he’s deserving of and the situation and some of the circumstances that surround it,” McVay said, per the team website. “We had a good conversation … we’re working through some things with him. We are allowing him to be able to look into some options for himself.”
Jackson has never appeared in a Super Bowl, his closest attempt coming after his rookie season in 2008. Despite a strong effort in the NFC title game (92 yards and a score), Jackson and the Eagles fell to the Arizona Cardinals 32-25.
Kelvin Middleton, CEO/Founder, MGB Inc. states that DeSean Jackson, and his mother, Gayle, have always been avid supporters of his grassroots, community-based initiative that focuses on disadvantaged, marginalized children, youth and families in Macon. Recently, Jackson awarded MGB Inc. his NFL Foundation Social Justice grant and donated hundreds of brand, new multi-cultural books to develop a library for the youth at the Kings Park Community Center; and, he provided all of the items and decorations for the annual Kings Park Community Center Easter Egg Hunt.
Furthermore, Middleton also states that DeSean has given hundreds of thousands of dollars to charities and individuals throughout his career many of which were not published and never will be known. Some of the major donations that Middleton states Jackson made was about $400,000 to develop AFYL team, the Cali Bears Youth Football & Cheer, 5 tackle teams, ages 14U disadvantaged youth; and, his annual DeSean Jackson FAST Camps for 250-300 youth during the off season (free). For more information please visit http://www.deseanjacksonsfoundation.org.
MGB Inc. (Men Giving Back), a community-based, initiative founded by former USFL and NFL player, Kelvin Middleton, is the recipient of the prestigious NFL Foundation Players’ Community Service Match grant.
About the NFL Foundation Players’ Community Match Grant Program
This grant is designed to provide nonprofit organizations with funding of up to $5,000 on behalf of a current or former NFL player who has donated financially to a nonprofit organization doing work to better the community . This grant allows NFL players and Legends to help support broad community efforts through the work of nonprofit organizations. Areas of support include, but are not limited to, Disease Prevention and Awareness, Mental Health, Youth Health & Fitness, Military Appreciation, Disaster Relief, Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault, Character Education, Anti-Bullying, Animal Welfare, etc. In order to be eligible for match funding (1:1 match must be provided by the current or former NFL player applicant),
DeSean Jackson states that he chose MGB Inc. and its founder, Kelvin Middleton because of the exemplary work that they are doing in the community; and, his admiration for Middleton’s decision to return to Macon after his NFL career ended to make a difference in his community.
Furthermore, Gayle Jackson, DeSean’s mother and Co-Founder of the DeSean Jackson Foundation, states that another reason why they chose to support Kelvin’s organization is because it has always been extremely important for DeSean, throughout his 14 years in the NFL, to learn as much about the NFL’s virtually unknown Legends; and, to give them the respect that they are rightfully due. “To DeSean, Mr. Middleton is one of those Legends”, states Mrs. Jackson. In 1987, Kelvin Middleton was a Pittsburgh Steeler during the infamous NFL players’ strike that divided teams, friends, loyalties and resulted in replacements of players who refused to cross the picket lines; and, the solidarity set the precedence for free agency. Kelvin choose not to cross the picket lines which ended his NFL career; and, to my son, DeSean, Kelvin Middleton is a Legend.
We are honored to present Mr. Middleton with this grant of behalf of the NFL Foundation and the DeSean Jackson Foundation.”
