Go Deep: The DeSean Jackson Story released on Prime Video on Thursday, turning a long-running family project into a public look at the former Eagles wideout's career and the people around him. The film was built from 35 years of footage that Byron Jackson says he filmed, and it places a major focus on the relationship between DeSean Jackson, Byron and Bill Jackson.
A private screening of the film, followed by a Q&A with DeSean Jackson and the filmmakers, was held Tuesday at the Landmark Ritz Five theater in Old City. That early showing gave a small audience a chance to see the documentary before its wider release, and DeSean Jackson said he was glad to share it ahead of time.
A family story as much as a football story
The documentary traces more than just DeSean Jackson's football life. It also offers a nuanced perspective on Bill Jackson and the family dynamics that shaped the story. Byron Jackson said the project started from a deeply personal place, including a period when he said, “I wasn’t speaking to my dad.” He later decided to reconnect, saying, “You know what? I’m going to get back in my dad’s life and my brother’s life.”
Byron Jackson said his approach went beyond documenting football highlights. “Not only am I getting back here to kind of shield my brother from my dad’s overbearing ways, I’m going to document everything, and I’m going to be able to give my brother everything that I learned,” he said. He also described the footage as something he has held onto closely, saying, “Filming all 35 years, I’m really, really attached to the footage, almost like married to it.”
Why the release matters
DeSean Jackson said he is looking forward to how viewers respond to the film. “I’m excited for the world to see just the grand scheme of things when you talk about a father’s love and passion,” he said. He also pointed to the family side of the story, saying, “His dad didn’t allow him to play sports, and then he has kids and he pushes his kids to make it, and one of them actually makes it big time.”
That layered perspective is part of what makes the documentary stand out. Mandon Lovett said the project offered “incredible intimate access,” and DeSean Jackson noted, “It’s good to be able to show the documentary a few days before it comes out.” He also said, “I obviously feel like Philly’s my second home,” which adds another layer to the release for longtime fans in the city.
The road to release was not simple. Byron Jackson said he had tried to complete the documentary before, but “it didn’t get no distribution, and it didn’t really go nowhere.” He added that being so protective of the footage may have been part of the reason. Now, after years of work, the film is finally available, giving viewers a rare look at DeSean Jackson's story through a family archive that stretches across decades.
