DeSean Jackson retiring with Eagles after 15 seasons

DeSean Jackson, one of the biggest vertical threats of this era, is retiring as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles after 15 NFL seasons, the team announced Wednesday.

Jackson will officially retire Friday and will be made an honorary captain by the Eagles for their home game Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers.

"DeSean Jackson was a dynamic playmaker who captivated Eagles fans with his game-breaking speed, unique skill set, and explosive play," team chairman Jeffrey Lurie said in a statement. "What made DeSean truly stand out during his accomplished 15-year career was his ability to make miraculous plays look routine."

Selected in the second round of the 2008 draft, Jackson spent the first six seasons of his career and eight years total in Philadelphia. He instantly built a reputation as one of the fastest wide receivers in the game.

The biggest play of Jackson's career was undoubtedly the "Miracle at the New Meadowlands," when he returned a punt for a game-winning touchdown with no time remaining. Jackson's walk-off score capped off an unanswered 28-point fourth-quarter run by the Eagles to beat the New York Giants 38-31.

A three-time Pro Bowler, Jackson accumulated 379 catches for 6,512 yards and 35 receiving touchdowns with the Eagles. He also added four punt return scores for the franchise. Over the course of his entire career, he led the NFL in yards per reception on four occasions.