Lamar Jackson's response to viral post reignites heated debate about his value
Selected by the Baltimore Ravens with the last pick of Round 1 in the 2018 NFL Draft, he was the final selection made by Ozzie Newsome during his tenure as general manager. Since then, he has accomplished significant milestones, earning two Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards, three First-Team All-Pro honors, and four Pro Bowl selections in his first seven seasons. He led all professional passers in touchdown passes during the 2019 season and topped the league in passer rating during the 2024 season.
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Jackson's selection has proven to be incredibly beneficial for Baltimore. During the Fourth of July holiday, he used social media to advise anyone interested in handling fireworks to do so carefully. As anticipated, the post gained significant traction. However, one overly enthusiastic fan responded with a comment that was unnecessary.
Lamar Jackson answers the backhanded compliment of a fan.
"Don't play with fireworks, Lamar! You're the best RB we have.'
It's always hard to tell the intent of one's message when we only read the words. It's impossible sometimes to gauge one's intent or tone. If we were to use past data as a measuring stick, however, one might be tempted to believe that the words of this response slight Jackson.
This reads like it's less about tipping the cap to Jackson for his dual-threat ability and more of an attempt to ride the coattails of a seemingly derogatory take. Baltimore's gunslinger has proven time and time again that he can sling it with the best of them. See his aforementioned league-leading passer rating last season, but so many still offer the opposite opinion that he's more valuable as a rusher than a passer.
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Regardless of where you stand on any of that, Lamar went the route of taking the high road:
Classy and the typical Lamar Jackson panache there. Pat him on the back. Please keep your fingers crossed for the rest of us.
We mentioned we're annoyed with the disrespect, right? We mentioned we're confused about how Jackson keeps taking the high road, correct? How does he stay so calm when the rest of us get so bothered by this?
Maybe it's the professionalism. Perhaps it is his knowledge that, when you're a starting quarterback for an NFL team, this is just part of the arrangement.
Most of us probably would have answered a 'clap' by 'clapping back'—credit Jackson for avoiding turning some holiday 'cheer' into a media circus.
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We all understand where the jabs come from. Jackson knows that to continue validating himself, he must win playoff games and eventually a Super Bowl, but as strange as it sounds, it seems that probably wouldn't be enough to change some people's minds.
No one wants to win more than Jackson. "They're going to get a Super Bowl out of me." That was the promise he made to everyone when drafted. Whether fair or unfair, postseason success and title count are the most commonly used factors in grading how well NFL quarterbacks are performing.
Jackson needs to deliver on his promise. To distance himself from his peers, he needs that ring, that Vince Lombardi Trophy. Then again, the same thing can be said about Joe Burrow, Josh Allen, and Justin Herbert. How come no one disrespects them as often as the guy in Baltimore?
Jackson is on the track, and attempts to discredit him as a passer are foolish. He tossed 41 touchdowns last season vs. just four interceptions. Only five quarterbacks eclipsed his 4,172 yards passing, and he lit it up through the air despite being part of the game's top rushing attack.
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Lamar ranks among the elite. He destroys defenses with his legs AND his arm. Now, all that's needed is that elusive Super Bowl win.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Lamar Jackson's viral reaction fuels fresh talk about his value
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