As reported on Thursday, the Atlanta Falcons released veteran running back Steven Jackson after two seasons with the team.
Quick to put up a statement regarding his release on his own website, Jackson had this to say about a whole host of topics.
Now that the Atlanta Falcons and I have parted ways, I want to say thank you to the organization, and the entire city of Atlanta.
In terms of what we hoped to accomplish as a team on the field, my time as a Falcon was a disappointment, but I will always be grateful for how the city and franchise treated me while I was there. Mr. Blank is one of the classiest owners I’ve been lucky enough to meet, and I feel fortunate to have played for him. I was also fortunate enough to make some tremendous new friends while I was there, and I’ll continue to be a big brother to everyone I shared the backfield with. I wish the Falcons nothing but the best moving ahead.
A lot has been written lately about my future. There are questions about my age, and what I have left in the tank. Of that, I will simply say this. For the first nine years of my career, I was used like a battering ram, punishing opposing defense over four quarters of a game. Maybe you stopped me the first five times I got the ball, but by the 15th or 20th time I got it, late in a game — let’s just say you were really feeling me at that point.
Make no mistake: I can still punish a defense. I still have a warrior’s heart. There are 1,000-yard seasons left in these legs. I know what I am still capable of, and I have every intention of proving it.
We can gather from Jackson’s last statement, he would love the opportunity to play with another NFL team should the opportunity be presented to him.
Since leaving St. Louis as the franchise’s all-time leading rusher, Jackson’s production has slipped over the past two seasons in Atlanta. He combined for just 1,250 rushing yards and averaged 3.6 yards per attempt during that span.
If there are takers who still believe the 31-year-old Jackson can “punish a defense,” we shall find out soon enough.
Photo: USA Today Sports