The powerful life lesson this Eagles cornerback shared during his emotional return to L.A.

The best story inside the Eagles locker room Monday night didn’t get told.

Nobody wants to hear the feel-good stuff when just about everybody in the locker room feels awful following a terrible loss, and the Eagles’ turnover-filled 22-19 overtime setback to the Los Angeles Chargers definitely qualified as that.

Four days later, however, it’s safe to share the details of veteran cornerback Adoree’ Jackson’s happy homecoming to the city where he played both his high school and college football.

Jackson, once among the best cornerbacks in the NFL, has started seven of the Eagles’ 13 games this season and played the majority of snaps as the outside corner opposite Quinyon Mitchell in nine games. Since the start of training camp, however, it seemed as though the Eagles and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio were determined to replace him.

Kelee Ringo tried and couldn’t do it. Jakorian Bennett tried and couldn’t do it. Jaire Alexander was brought in after being released by the Baltimore Ravens and retired. Just last week the Eagles tried to claim Darius Slay off waivers, but he ended up being claimed by Buffalo.

The Eagles, it seems, are stuck with Jackson at least for the rest of the 2025 season and the way he stuck to Chargers’ receivers Monday night that didn’t seem like such a bad thing.

He finished with five tackles, two passes defended and his first interception as an Eagle, which came after edge rusher Jaelan Phillips tipped a Justin Herbert throw at the line of scrimmage.

“Crazy that a UCLA man (Phillips) helped out a USC Trojan,” Jackson said.

The play should have helped out the Eagles, too, but Jake Elliott wasn’t able to convert on a 48-yard field goal attempt after the Jackson pick.

Jackson said he wasn’t bothered by the news that the Eagles had interest in bringing back Slay.

“Honestly I didn’t even know about it until somebody brought it to my attention,” he said. “If they were trying to claim him I understand. He was here before and that’s one of their guys. I don’t never get emotion mixed with business. I can only control what I can control and that’s going out there and trying to execute and compete and keep stacking my days.”

Jackson, 30, did feel good about the way he played Monday for a couple of other reasons. After spending the first 15 years of his life in Southern Illinois, he played his last three seasons of high school football at Junipero Serra, a Southern California school that has a long history of producing NFL players.

He went on to become an All-American football player and long jumper at USC, playing his final football game in the Rose Bowl against Saquon Barkley and Penn State. The Trojans won that wild game 52-49 and Jackson contributed an interception on defense and 26 scrimmage yards on three touches on defense. He also returned four kicks and a punt for 109 yards.

Jackson fell in love with L.A. during his high school and college careers and Monday marked the first time he got a chance to play there as a professional.

“It was great just being out there and being able to be home, in a sense, and to be around people who have watched me since I was 15,” said Jackson, who said he got about 28 tickets for family, friends, former high school coaches and a group of kids from his high school.

“I got to show the younger high school players coming up that once you blink you just might be here,” he said. “Time flies so fast. I remember my last game of high school and I wanted to show them that this stuff is within arm’s reach. As far away as it might look, it really is obtainable.”

Jackson also appreciated having his best game in front of some of his closest friends.

“The last time they probably saw me play was at the Coliseum (the home stadium for USC),” Jackson said. “That’s just a special moment how it happened. It was nice to have that atmosphere and to play a good game, but I wish we had won. That would have been a lot better.”

Jackson said he has no sense of self satisfaction about what he has done this season after being doubted throughout the season.

“I’m more happy with just keeping my head down and coming into work and being persistent and consistent while taking the coaching and critiquing from everyone here,” he said. " I didn’t tuck my tail and go into a small circle and complain about what I’m hearing. I just went out and worked."

Asked if he has received any compliments from Fangio, Jackson said he wasn’t ever looking for one.

“I don’t need to search for compliments,” he said. “I’d rather have you tell me what I can get better at. My dad never complimented me. He used to say why do you need a compliment when you’re doing what you’re supposed to do.”

Fangio did throw some praise Jackson’s way Thursday.

“I thought overall he played well, and he’s been doing that lately,” Fangio said.