But that’s not enough for Gad, apparently, who tweeted on Tuesday that Jackson’s apologies don’t measure up. “My family were gassed, ripped from their homes, forced to work in camps and made to watch most of their families slaughtered,” the comedian, actor and singer tweeted. “I find an ‘oops, you misunderstood me quoting ADOLF HITLER’ as not quite good enough. Sorry.”
While Gad surely can’t be the only person who finds Jackson’s apologies to be lacking, he still felt the need to clarify his initial tweet with more context. Hours after sending out that first statement, Gad followed it up. “I want to be clear. I’m not calling for severe punishment. That’s not my call to make,” he wrote in the early hours of Wednesday morning. “I’m looking to help educate. I’m also more than happy if @DeSeanJackson10 to come on my platform and have a discussion so that he understands why this rhetoric is harmful and wrong.”
Jackson shared a quote on Instagram on July 6 that he attributed to Adolf Hitler, as per ESPN. Part of the quote said that white Jews “will blackmail America. [They] will extort America, their plan for world domination won’t work if the Negroes know who they were.”
The football player then backpedaled from his previous post. He shared the highlighted comments again on his Instagram Story with additional context. “Anyone who feels I have hate towards the Jewish community took my post the wrong way,” Jackson wrote. “I have no hatred in my heart towards no one!! Equality equality.”
The following day, the Philadelphia Eagles released a statement, noting that the organization was committed to having “meaningful conversations” with Jackson.
“We have spoken with DeSean Jackson about his social media posts,” the Eagles organization said in the memo. “Regardless of his intentions, the messages he shared were offensive, harmful, and absolutely appalling. They have no place in our society, and are not condoned or supported in any way by the organization.”
The team went on to say, “We are disappointed and we reiterated to DeSean the importance of not only apologizing, but also using his platform to take action to promote unity, equality, and respect. We are continuing to evaluate the circumstances and will take appropriate action. We take these matters very seriously and are committed to continuing to have productive and meaningful conversations with DeSean, as well as all of our players and staff, in order to educate, learn, and grow.”
Jackson also shared a longer apology on social media on Tuesday. In a statement written in the Notes app, he said that his intention “was to uplift, unite and encourage our culture with positivity and light.”
He continued: “I unintentionally hurt the Jewish community in the process and for that I am sorry! Now more than ever we must work together to end discrimination of all types and against all people and communities.”
The wide receiver added that he promises to do better in the future. “I will consider my words and actions going forward,” he wrote. “I will seek out voices from other communities and listen to their words, thoughts and beliefs. In a time of division, I am committed to doing my part in making this world a better place for our children.”
Whether or not Jackson will face any consequences for his social media posts in the upcoming season of football remains to be seen.
Newsweek did not receive further comment from Gad or Jackson in time for publication.