Mike Jackson, the close friend of former Carolina Panthers running back, revealed: “I knew something was wrong, I just didn’t expect it to happen so fast.”
Charlotte, just three days after being released by the Carolina Panthers, DeeJay Dallas was arrested on charges of public intoxication and disorderly conduct. His best friend and former teammate Mike Jackson has now broken his silence, sharing an emotional account of the dark days that led up to the incident in an exclusive interview with recap.azontree.com.
“He lost his confidence after being dropped from the roster”
According to Jackson, Dallas had been under tremendous mental pressure for weeks after losing his spot on the active roster.
“Football was everything to him. Every time he wasn’t listed to play, he’d sit alone in the locker room for hours, just staring at the Panthers logo on the wall,” Jackson said.
“I knew something wasn’t right, but DeeJay kept saying, ‘I’m fine, man, don’t worry.’ And I believed him.”
Jackson added that Dallas often admitted he was afraid of being forgotten, afraid of becoming “the guy no one remembers.” The release on November 1 felt like the final blow that broke his spirit.
The three nights before the arrest
Jackson said he tried calling Dallas several times during those three nights, but his calls went unanswered.
“I knew he was out somewhere, drinking alone. On the third night, I saw the news about his arrest… I couldn’t believe it. The guy who used to light up the locker room was now completely lost.”
According to the Charlotte police report, DeeJay Dallas was arrested around 10 PM on November 3 at a popular uptown bar. He was charged with public intoxication and disorderly conduct after yelling, banging on tables, and refusing to comply with officers.
Witnesses at the scene said Dallas looked exhausted, distraught, and emotionally unstable. When restrained, he reportedly repeated one phrase over and over: “I just want peace.”
Police confirmed that Dallas was released the next morning on bail, and the case remains under investigation. His lawyer has declined to comment.
An uncertain future
So far, DeeJay Dallas has made no public statement. Analysts believe this incident could effectively end his NFL career — a crushing fall for a player once seen as a promising talent trying to rebuild his reputation in Carolina.
“The distance from stadium lights to the darkness of a bar corner is shorter than we think,” a former NFL player reflected.
“Sometimes, an athlete’s greatest loss isn’t on the scoreboard, it’s within their own soul.”











