Jackson: ‘It Was A Humbling Experience’

DeSean Jackson was made available through teleconference Wednesday afternoon after inking a three-year deal with the Redskins. He touched on the way things ended in Philadelphia, and gave his thoughts on the idea of playing his former team twice a year.

Jackson, who was released Friday shortly after a story came out about his alleged gang ties, downplayed the idea that he comes with character concerns.

“I feel like the people who really know me know what type of player I am, they respect me and they know I’m a team guy and I just go out there and put it on the line for what I do and who I’m around. I think that’s never really been a problem,” he said.

“It was a humbling experience for myself, me being at the peak of my career and doing some great things in this league…I’m very humble for me to be where I’m at and being able to be released like that. But at the same time, I feel moving forward is the best thing for me…Eventually, I think people will really understand and see the real DeSean Jackson, and not the painted picture that was put out on me.”

Jackson said RGIII had a “big part of getting me to sign here” and reached out to him as soon as he became a free agent. He also credits DeAngelo Hall for making him feel wanted.

As for playing in the same division as the Eagles?

“Obviously me coming from the Eagles, that will definitely be emotional and a big game. But I would like to say that every game we play this year will be the same way,” he said. “I’ve never been to the visiting locker room in the Linc before, so someone will probably have to show me the way to get there.”

Jackson joked that he may be able to convince RGIII — who currently wears No. 10 — to switch his jersey to No. 3. He spoke highly of new head coach Jay Gruden, and said much of the terminology in this offense is similar to Andy Reid‘s, which he believes will help with the transition.

He avoided criticizing the Eagles or boasting about the prospects of the Washington offense with him now in the fold.

“For myself, I was at a point in my career where that made me very humble, for  everything to go down and happen the way it happened, but coming here [general manager] Bruce Allen, Mr. Snyder, Jay Gruden, I think it was an open arms situation. I was just looking for an opportunity to come in and be productive and help out any way possible. I think this place here is a great place and has some great things going on, and I’m just happy to be an addition to help this team win. ”