It’s been about a year since DeSean Jackson played a game of football and he’s still being reminded of his glory days. Jackson exploded on the scene in his rookie year. For that, we must give the credit where it’s due. It was under Andy Reid’s regime that D Jax started shining. Just like Jackson, Andy Reid can’t help but get flashbacks of the good old days.

Jackson stopped by the Colin Cowherd’s Show and couldn’t help but recall what it was like getting trained by Andy Reid. Remember that viral video of Patrick Mahomes throwing a Hail Mary to Xavier Worthy in practice? That made Andy Reid wish his protégé was there to witness what he had done in Kansas City. But more importantly, Jackson and Reid might just have a father-son relationship.

“First off, I’ve been coached from some great guys. I think Andy Reid yet alone is the best that’s been coaching me. I mean it’s a father figure. It was almost having a dad 2.0 to be able to coach, to be able to just command. He commands respect, he gave you a hardship but at the same time he loved you,” said Jackson of Reid.

You know when you make a mistake, and your dad pulls his glasses down and stares you down? It used to be a scary thing in most people’s childhood. Andy Reid did that to a young receiver that just made it out of Berkley. So, when you’re working with Big Red, you have to make sure you leave all the distractions behind, or he’s going to get on your tail.

“When you come to work, ball got to be the focus. You can’t be worried about what’s going on back home,” added Jackson. Jackson got the gift of becoming a professional football player but in his second year in the NFL, his dad passed away from Pancreatic Cancer. Big Red was the only father figure he could look up to.

“I lost my dad early when I was 21 years old going into my second year and he knew what I endured and obviously my dad meant everything to me. So, me losing my dad and Andy Reid stepping up to the plate and almost being like a dad in my life was huge to me. I will always love him,” added Jackson.

Andy Reid steered Jackson’s career in a better direction because in his second year as an Eagle, the receiver put up 1,156 yards and scored 9 touchdowns, better than what he did in the rookie year.

As it happens, Reid still cherishes what him and Jackson had for 5 years at Philly. The Kansas City Chiefs head honcho got in touch with his protégé again recently.

Patrick Mahomes-Xavier Worthy gave flashbacks to Andy Reid

After a long time since Tyreek Hill left, the Chiefs finally straightened out their receiver core. The Chiefs’ training camp is up and running and the Mahomes-Worthy duo looks good out there. Still Coach Reid wished for DeSean Jackson to be there and witness Mahomes preparing for the coming season.

“I actually just talked to him yesterday and he sent me a text message talking about, he said, ‘I had flashbacks today.’ I said coach what do you mean? I looked at the video and he sends me the video of Mahomes turning out and throwing the ball all the way back and Xavier Worthy catching the ball. I said ‘Hey coach! There’s only one DeSean Jackson,” explained the former NFL receiver.

Things would have been different if a player of Jackson’s caliber played with Patrick Mahomes. The 3x Super Bowl winner is never devoid of throwing accurate passes over long distances. That’s where the receivers shine. But things were different back then and Donovan McNabb was Jackson’s signal caller for two years.

Things changed drastically for good in the 2010 season when DeSean Jackson’s Philadelphia Eagles enrolled the legendary QB Michael Vick in the offense, along with LeSean McCoy, who joined the league as a rookie in 2009. Under Andy Reid, DeSean Jackson made Pro Bowl twice in 2009 and 2010 seasons and ended up being fifth on the OPOY list after the 2010 season. Any player would be lucky to have Andy Reid as a coach and DeSean Jackson has a first-hand experience of that.