Press Release
DeSean Jackson Delivers Anti-Bullying Message at Dogwood Elementary, Reston, VA
By The DeSean Jackson Foundation, October 28, 2014.
Washington Redskins’, All Pro, Wide Receiver, DeSean Jackson delivered an Anti-Bullying message today to students at Dogwood Elementary School, Reston, Virginia, a few hours after traveling to Dallas, TX for Monday Night Football with the Dallas Cowboys.
Jackson stated that he was privileged to receive the invitation to participate in the school’s National Bullying Awareness Campaign; and, seized the opportunity to commend school administration and students for their pledge to stand up against bullying.
Jackson has been an advocate against Bullying for several years and has represented the NFL, the NFL Players’ Association, the Philadelphia Eagles and now, the Washington Redskins as an ambassador for the annual campaigns. DeSean and his mother, Gayle Jackson have also developed an anti-bullying program through the DeSean Jackson Foundation. Jackson also co-authored a book that advocates against bullying, “No Bullies In the Huddle” and has appeared on several national media outlets promoting his message.
DeSean Jackson, Washington Redskin, delivers Anti-Bullying Message
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (DHHS) anti-bullying website, Stopbullying.gov, bullying is defined as “intentionally aggressive, usually repeated” verbal, social, or physical behavior aimed at a specific person or group of people. Some bullying actions are considered criminal, such as harassment or hazing; but “bullying” alone is not illegal. And recent news stories abound with tales of cyberbullying – where the target is harassed through social media or other technology – that have unfortunately resulted in victims’ suicides. The majority of bullying still takes place at school; 1 in 3 U.S. students say they have been bullied at school, according to the DHHS.
Most experts agree that bullying peaks in middle school, while children are making the transition from children to young adults. Although bullying certainly continues into high school – and even into adulthood, unfortunately – it does seem to subside with maturity. Even so, approximately 160,000 teens reportedly skip school every day because they are bullied, and 1 in 10 teens drops out of school due to repeated bullying.
- 83 percent of girls, and 79 percent of boys report being bullied either in school or online.
- 75 percent of school shootings have been linked to harassment and bullying against the shooter.
- Not shockingly, students who are bullies as young adults continue the trend of abuse and violence into adulthood. By the age of 30, approximately 40 percent of boys who were identified as bullies in middle- and high school had been arrested three or more times.
DeSean Jackson Foundation 