WR DeSean Jackson: 'Just a quote'

ByJohn Keim ESPN logo

Thursday, November 20, 2014

ASHBURN, Va. -- Washington Redskins receiver DeSean Jackson's Instagram post Monday was among the reasons coach Jay Gruden addressed social media issues with his players. But Jackson said his post wasn't directed at anyone in particular.

Jackson posted on his account, "You can't do epic s--- with basic people." It came a day after quarterback Robert Griffin III was accused by some of calling out his teammates following a 27-7 loss to Tampa Bay.

"Whoever felt it was directed at them, that's who it was directed at," Jackson said. "I'm not going to talk about last week. It's a new week, got a new team to play, and that's what the focus is on. Whoever felt I was talking to them, they can take it how it was taken."

A day earlier, speaking via conference call with San Francisco reporters, Jackson said, "If you follow me on Instagram, you see I post a lot of things like that. ... If you look into too much of what it is, you get lost. ... I was just posting a quote, man."

Jackson also said he wasn't worried about any controversies that arose during the week. Most of the controversy surrounded Griffin, but Jackson's Instagram post also prompted questions of Gruden. A week earlier, Jackson stood up in a meeting and voiced support of Griffin.

"I don't get into any of that, bro," Jackson said. "I don't entertain it. If it doesn't have anything to do with myself, I'm not worried about it."

Griffin came under harsh criticism this week for his performance against the Buccaneers, with Gruden focusing on his fundamentals. Jackson said he understands dealing with criticism.

"We're all professionals, man," Jackson said. "That's what comes with being a professional athlete. You have to know how to take it and how to give it. Criticism is a big factor in this game. Depending how you play and how your game is on Sundays or Mondays or Thursdays is what they critique you on. The best thing to do is play at a high level and put everything else to the side and erase what happened. Just play good on Sunday."