Stand Up To Cancer

DeSean Jackson is one of the most successful players in the National Football League. DeSean was the first player to be selected to the Pro-Bowl for playing two different positions. The DeSean Jackson Project includes remarkable behind the scenes footage of DeSean preparing and playing in games. But that is just part of the story.

When DeSean was four years old, he was filmed for the first time, visiting his big brother Byron at Byron's college football team's end of season banquet. Neither Byron nor DeSean then knew that Byron would keep filming for the next 18 years of DeSean's life. Every game was filmed and almost every practice, as well as life in the home and on the road, as DeSean went from Pop Warner football, to a High School All American, to a Heisman Trophy candidate at Cal Berkeley, to starting wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles. Everything was shot, including the waiting to be drafted in the first round (he wasn't), the first touches of the ball at Cal (two touchdowns), the arguments within the family (several), the visit with Jim Brown to get advice, (don't take the free car from the strange man who may be a drug dealer), the visit with Jerry Rice (here's how to make it in the NFL). It is all here. An incredible 800 hours of material. But even this, is only part of the story.

In January 2009, Byron and DeSean's father Bill Jackson was diagnosed with Pancreatic cancer. As a family, they were surprised and saddened and left with many questions. It was these questions that prompted them to search for answers. During the next four months, Bill battled this devastating disease the same way he took on many challenges in his life...head on. On May 14, 2009, Bill's fight ended.

Today Bill's family is determined to make a difference as they continue with the same drive and determination that Bill once had. They have founded The DeSean Jackson Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer, which brings awareness and understanding to a disease that not only claimed the life of a father, husband, granddad and friend, but also affects so many families.

For more on The DeSean Jackson Project, please visit www.sportsrhythms.net