DeSean Jackson lays blame for 2011 holdout from Eagles on ex-agent Drew Rosenhaus
DeSean Jackson made headlines this offseason when he was released by the Philadelphia Eagles before ultimately signing with the Washington Redskins. It wasn't the first time Jackson dominated the news in the offseason, having held out from the Eagles in 2011 in search of a better contract.
As it turns out, that holdout was motivated by Jackson's agent at the time, Drew Rosenhaus. According to court documents acquired by Yahoo Sports, Jackson blames Rosenhaus for that holdout and the negative perception it placed on him throughout the league.
"In the end, the holdout served only to embarrass Jackson, undermine his credibility and diminish his negotiating leverage with Eagles' management," Jackson's attorney, William Quinn, wrote in the filing.
The filing stems from an ongoing legal battle between Jackson and Rosenhaus over $516,000 paid by Rosenhaus for Jackson to remain his client. Jackson has been ordered to pay that money back (he fired Rosenhaus in June of last year) but he is currently fighting the ruling.
Jackson originally hired Rosenhaus because he was told the agent could get him a new deal with the Eagles in 2010. When that didn't happen, Jackson says he was urged by Rosenhaus to hold out in the summer of 2011, but that did not result in a new contract either.
Jackson threatened to fire Rosenhaus, but was persuaded to stay after he was given nearly $150,000 to remain a client. According to the filing Rosenhaus gave Jackson $50,000 cash in a Lois Vuitton bag, a $90,000 check and a $200,000 interest free loan.
Paying a client to stay with you is against NFLPA rules and if proven true, would mean Jackson would not have to pay the money back. It also could land Rosenhaus in a lot of trouble with the NFLPA if he did indeed pay Jackson and violate the regulations.