William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Delaware State head coach DeSean Jackson reacts to a call in the first quarter against Norfolk State at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Oct. 30, 2025.
Do the ends always justify the means when it comes to using extreme measures to develop young athletes? In the case of former NFL star and current Delaware State head coach DeSean Jackson, that’s for him to decide.
Jackson was a five-star recruit out of Long Beach Poly in California and ultimately chose the Cal Golden Bears over then-powerhouse USC in his recruitment.
He went on to play 15 seasons in the NFL, making three Pro Bowl appearances along the way. But the path to college, and then the NFL, wasn’t always easy for Jackson.
5:05 timestamp. https://t.co/Z83IIIcGCS
— Eagles Nation (@PHLEaglesNation) September 25, 2026
DeSean Jackson’s Parents Used Unique Methods To Train Him
Jackson recently appeared on the “Wake Up Barstool” podcast to promote “Go Deep: The DeSean Jackson Story,” a documentary that was released Thursday on Prime Video.
During the interview, he detailed one method that his parents would use to help him improve his speed, agility, and endurance.
“My family used to torture me,” he said. “We had a dog. My family used to tie a string around my waist and tie a tennis ball behind me. I used to have to run away from the dog, and if the dog caught me, they wouldn’t give me no food.”
While Jackson is seemingly able to joke about the matter now, it didn’t sound as if he was kidding about the events of the past. All’s well that ends well, I guess?
“So he was abused as a child? That’s what this is,” one person wrote on X.
“This isn’t a training hack-it’s abuse that happened to produce a great athlete. How many kids endure similar and never make it?” asked another.
We’re certainly not in the business of telling people how to raise their children. But that definitely does not sound normal or healthy.