Patriots: Julian Edelman spoke with DeSean Jackson and gave him more time than he deserves
By Jerry Trotta
Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman reaching out to DeSean Jackson is more than the Eagles star deserves.
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson has been the talk of the sports world this week after he posted an Instagram story that contained a quote from Adolf Hitler and was unmistakably anti-semitic. Somehow, the New England Patriots are now involved.
The Eagles responded by denouncing his actions, and Jackson has come public with multiple apologies, but the conversation is still just as fiery.
A flood of professional athletes have come out to voice their frustration and confusion with Jackson, and Julian Edelman, who is Jewish, joined that growing list on Thursday. In an emotional video, the New England Patriots wideout invited Jackson to the Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, DC as a means to enlighten him on the vulgarity of his posts.
As awesome of a gesture as this is from Edelman, it’s far more than the Eagles star deserves.
*Language warning: anti-Semitic slur@Edelman11 responds to DeSean Jackson's IG posts and proposes they visit the Holocaust Museum and Museum of African American History and Culture together.
— FanSided (@FanSided) July 9, 2020
"We need to have those uncomfortable conversations if we're gonna have real change." pic.twitter.com/2LNqRCgnX0
Let’s get one thing clear: we are, in no way, criticizing Edelman for stepping up to educate his NFL colleague. He easily could have taken the route of dozens of analysts and pundits and called for Jackson to be released by Philadelphia. Choosing to extend the conversation by giving the three-time Pro Bowler a history lesson is more than anyone could have ever expected from Edelman.
However, there’s no apology possible that can undo the offense that Jackson’s 1.4 million followers on Instagram took to his insensitive post. He doesn’t deserve anybody’s sympathy, let alone a living Jew in Edelman, who truly does not have to be this kind and caring of an individual.
DeSean and I spoke for awhile last night. We're making plans to use our experiences to educate one another and grow together. Stay tuned.
— Julian Edelman (@Edelman11) July 10, 2020
✊🏻✊🏼✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿@DeSeanJackson10
We’re not saying that a visit to the Holocaust Memorial Museum or a late-night phone conversation wouldn’t help Jackson. Far from it, actually. The point here is that Edelman, as valiant as his proposal is, shouldn’t have to clean up his mess.
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Again, we’re talking about a post that tried to make sense out of a quote from a man that sparked a genocide. Edelman’s leadership qualities know no bounds, but he certainly didn’t owe Jackson such a dedicated breakdown.
It’s simply another example of Edelman going above and beyond, even when it’s not necessary.