Lions defensive end Romeo Okwara has been one of the first NFL players to actively speak out and condemn the recent anti-Semitic comments from Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver, DeSean Jackson.
Jackson attributed a quote to Adolf Hitler and praised Nation of Islam founder Louis Farrakhan, who has espoused anti-Semitic viewpoints and teachings. Jackson has since deleted the offensive social media postings and issued an apology.
Not many NFL players have spoken out against Jackson’s oppressive, racially inflammatory actions. Okwara is one of the first, joining Pittsburgh’s Zach Banner and Cam Heyward and New England’s Julian Edelman, one of the league’s few Jewish players.
Okwara wrote this as the caption for the Instagram post,
Anti-Semitic comments towards the Jewish community are and will always be completely unacceptable. As a fellow member of the NFL, I am incredibly embarrassed for the huge mistake DeSean Jackson made. We must all continue to educate ourselves and fight against ignorance and hatred of all types. As we fight for equality in the black community, we can’t step on the necks of another. It is important to speak up in times like these and I want to thank @zbnfl for his leadership on this very important matter. There is no place for hate in this world!