Once again, Lamar Jackson has the chance to prove doubters wrong
Lamar Jackson has the ability to break yet another record as he enters the 2019 NFL playoffs.
Lamar Jackson didn’t have a starting quarterback spot when he transferred to Boynton Beach High School at the start of his junior year. Coaches were skeptical when his new teammates proclaimed him as the new quarterback, but by the time the season rolled around, Jackson was running and throwing all over some of South Florida’s finest.
Later that year, he became one of the most-viewed Vines (RIP) of all-time:
Still, Jackson didn’t get much love from colleges and recruiting sites. He was rated as a 3-star in the 247 Sports composite rankings, and was considered the 12th best dual-threat QB and 409th best player in the country. Hell, 247 only pegged Jackson as the 5th-best player in the 2015 Louisville recruiting class.
Jackson started the first play of his college career. After an up-and-down freshman season, Jackson capped off 2016 with 200 yards passing and 200 yards rushing against Kentucky and Texas A&M. His historic 2016 season lead to a runaway Heisman Trophy victory, and a victory lap season on a underachieving 2017 Cardinals team.
However, questions still remained about Jackson’s game. Critics said that his run-heavy wouldn’t work in the NFL, that he should work on becoming a wide receiver or plan on being utilized in some other capacity at the next level. He received wide-spread criticism for not hiring an agent, and instead consulting with his mother on important financial decisions. But Jackson was drafted in the first round by the Baltimore Ravens, who made plans immediately to get him involved at quarterback. It was apparent that the Ravens saw him as their quarterback of the future, regardless of the opinions of talking heads.
Jackson was the back-up for former Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco to begin the season, playing an increasing amount of downs each week. Then, after an injury sidelined Flacco in week 10, Jackson took over the reigns of a 4-5 team, on track to miss the playoffs for the fourth straight year. With two eventual playoff teams and a couple more in the hunt on the schedule, most thought Baltimore’s season was over. Jackson had other plans.
The Ravens went 6-1 over their last 7 games, and Jackson holds the best record ever for a rookie in his first 5, 6, and 7 starts, en route to the playoffs.
Now, Jackson- the same player who wasn’t even considered a top 4 player in his college’s recruiting class, nor a top 4 quarterback in his own draft class-will become the youngest quarterback to ever start an NFL playoff game. By default, he would become the youngest quarterback to ever win an NFL playoff game as well.
“(Breaking the record) doesn’t really matter to me,” he said Friday. “I’m just here to play football. I was 21 all year, so it’s just another game to me.”
Jackson would be the first 21-year-old QB to win a playoff game, but only by a day. He turns 22 just a few hours after the game is slated to end. And all he really wants for his birthday is a win. Throw records- and cake- out the window.
“I’m just trying to taste victory for my birthday. I can taste it!”
By now, it’s inevitable that people will doubt Jackson. But, if history is any indicator, he is going to continue to prove the doubters wrong.