5 things you didn’t know about Lamar Jackson

Much to my disbelief, the MVP of the 2019 NFL season is going to be Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. The second year pro has been tremendous this season, leading the Ravens to the best overall record in the NFL. For anybody that has witnessed Jackson play and/or reviewed his box scores, it is obvious that the dual-threat nature of his game gives him a decisive advantage against opposing defenses.

I will be the first to admit I did not see this coming. Having followed Jackson’s high school recruiting path and his stint at the University of Louisville, I never expected him to be accurate enough as a passer to be a successful NFL quarterback. He has proven me and many others wrong, and may break several records before the season is done. Kudos to him on what has been a successful 2019 campaign. Beyond the playing field though, let’s look at some interesting tidbits about this year’s most valuable and dynamic player.

5. Jackson played Pop Warner football against other future NFL stars

Jackson grew up in Boynton Beach, Florida, playing Pop Warner football against some other notable NFL athletes. Falcons WR Calvin Ridley played in his league, as well as Ravens WR Marquise Brown. Oakland Raiders CB Trayvon Mullen also grew up playing in Pompano Beach as a child. There is a reason that college recruiters head to south Florida to snag athletic playmakers.

4. Jackson is remarkably close to his mother

Sadly, Jackson’s father and grandmother died on the same day in 2005 when he was eight years old. Jackson was raised by his mother, and while he doesn’t talk much about this life-changing day and turn of events, it almost certainly has served as a driving factor in the success he’s experienced. Jackson's close bond with his mother has made for a fascinating personal interest story during his rise to fame.

3. Jackson is the fastest quarterback in Madden history

EA Sports' Madden NFL video game is well-known among gamers and players. When the latest version is released each year, great scrutiny goes into the rankings of players and how they compare to other players, both within their time and outside of it. After his incredible start to 2019 and some jaw-dropping runs, Madden made in-season adjustments to rankings and upgraded his ‘speed’ rating from 94 to 96. This made Jackson the fastest quarterback in the game’s history, supplanting his childhood idol, Michael Vick.

2. Jackson celebrated his Heisman victory with wings

After winning the Heisman trophy in 2016, Jackson allegedly had chicken wings and mozzarella sticks to celebrate. He was too young to throw in a case of Bud Light as well, but at least he got the first half right for many football fans’ favorite meal.

1. Jackson was just as good the year after he won the Heisman

It isn’t really a personal fact about Jackson, but he had just as good of a season in 2017 as 2016 (the year he won the Heisman). In 2016, Jackson had a 56.2% completion percentage, threw for 3,545 yards, and had 30 touchdowns. He had 1,571 yards and 21 touchdowns on the ground. In 2017, he had a 59.1% completion percentage, threw for 3,660 yards, and had 27 passing touchdowns, while adding 1,601 yards and 18 touchdowns on the ground. And yet after winning in 2016, he only got third in 2017.

In much the same way Jackson wasn’t appreciated as a quarterback out of high school, he seems to have not been appreciated following his dynamic 2016 campaign while still putting up huge numbers. He has been doubted and slighted his entire career (by myself included), but all of it likely motivates Jackson to keep working harder to become the player we’re seeing today.

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