DeSean Jackson's high school athletic director and counselor came to his defense against allegations of gang affiliations.

"DeSean is a great guy -- he was a sweet kid when he was in high school, always very polite and respectful with me," said Debbie Hughes, Jackson's counselor at Long Beach Poly, according to the Press Telegram. "There was no gang activity with him. He wasn't in a gang. That's not to say other students weren't, but DeSean definitely wasn't one of them."

Rob Shock, the Poly AD added: "Every single year during his bye week he comes back and talks to the kids and goes to a game. He's always had a big heart -- it just feels like somebody out there is trying to tear him down. ... DeSean hasn't done anything, he hasn't committed any crimes."

Former Poly coach Raul Lara was quoted in the NJ.com story as saying Jackson "started to hang around some not-so-good people" after his father died, said his comments were taken out of context and had nothing to do with gang affiliations. 

"Gangbanger, what the hell is that about? He's not a gangbanger," Lara told the PressTelegram.com. "All I was saying was that it was a tragic part of his life when his father died," Lara said. "He's not a gangbanger, I don't know where they're getting that from, and I didn't say that he was. I was close with his dad and I know that when his dad passed it really hit him."

The Los Angeles Police Department has never accused DeSean Jackson of being a gang member.

Jackson denied the claim in a statement on Friday.

Detectives in Los Angeles were interested in Jackson's ties to reputed members of the Crips when they investigated separate gang-related homicides in 2011 and 2012.

"It's kind of like 'Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon,' " LAPD Homicide Det. Chris Barling said.

"When people grow up in neighborhoods where you have gang involvement, you don't have to look too far before you find a connection to a connection," he said.

"Now, how sinister that connection is, our position is that's for others to judge."

DeSean Jackson has already received interest from six teams following his release by the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Eagles were unable to trade Jackson when they shopped him for multiple weeks.

The San Francisco 49ers, New York Jets and Seattle Seahawks expressed interest in Jackson via trade.

Ron Rivera has publicly said that the Carolina Panthers are interested in Jackson.

The San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks and New York Jets expressed interest in DeSean Jackson when the Philadelphia Eagles attempted to trade him before his release. Those teams could be interested in Jackson as a free agent.

The New England Patriots and Oakland Raiders could also be interested in Jackson.

Jackson is one of the NFL's most talented playmakers at wide receiver, so it will be interesting to gauge his market in light of reports of his off-field issues.

The Philadelphia Eagles have released DeSean Jackson.

The Eagles timed their release of Jackson just a few minutes after a report by Eliot Shorr-Parks and A.J. Perez indicated that they were concerned about his reputed ties to Los Angeles gangs.

The Eagles tried to trade Jackson for several weeks.

The Eagles will carry $6 million in dead money and save $6.75 million in cap space.

Sources say that the Philadelphia Eagles have begun looking into a trade of DeSean Jackson because of his off-field behavior.

Jackson has exhibited "a bad attitude, inconsistent work ethic, missed meetings and a lack of chemistry with Chip Kelly," according to sources.

When the Eagles examined why Jackson was missing meetings, they found his friends were having a more powerful influence in his life.

Jackson has reportedly continued to associate with reputed Los Angeles street gang members who have been connected to two homicides since 2010.

As a source within the Eagles organization, who requested anonymity, put it: "They are concerned about having him around the younger players."

"DeSean Jackson is not a gang member," said EAG Management CEO and founder Denise White, Jackson's agent. "He's far, far from it."

Jackson has denied being a gang member in light of this report. 

"Known DeSean since he was born," a person connected to Jackson texted Adam Schefter. "Over 25 years DeSean is NOT affiliated w any La gangs."

The Philadelphia Eagles have made Evan Mathis available in trade talks, according to a source.

Mathis is due a $5.15 million salary in 2014.

Mathis is an All-Pro guard.

Mark Sanchez is expected to sign with the Philadelphia Eagles pending a physical.

Sanchez was released last week by the New York Jets.

The Philadelphia Eagles are trying to trade DeSean Jackson, but a source said that he will not play another snap with the team regardless.

"Philly is trading him or cutting him,” a source said. “That's a fact. They don't want him.”

Jackson isn’t interested in restructuring a contract that includes a $10.5 million base salary (and $12.75 million salary cap charge) in 2014, he may have no choice but to take a pay cut. 

The Carolina Panthers reached out to the Philadelphia Eagles about the availability of DeSean Jackson.

The Oakland Raiders, New York Jets, New England Patriots and San Francisco 49ers are the other teams that have expressed interest.

The Eagles have not responded to Jackson trade rumors, indicating Chip Kelly would like to part ways with the talented wide receiver.