Lamar Jackson has done more this season than simply prove he is capable of being a starting quarterback in the NFL — he has turned himself into a full-blown superstar. In a candid moment during Sunday’s game, Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh tried to put that in perspective for the former Louisville star.
The Ravens shared a video on Monday that featured Harbaugh having a conversation with Jackson on the sideline during Baltimore’s blowout win over the Cincinnati Bengals. Harbaugh told Jackson how much he loves his game, and Jackson said he only cares about winning and the team. Harbaugh then talked about how many kids are going to be wearing Jackson’s No. 8 jersey over the next 20 years, and Jackson said he “can’t wait to see it when I get older, but right now I gotta get to the Super Bowl.”
"You changed the game, man."
Coach Harbaugh's sideline convo with @Lj_era8 at Cincinnati: pic.twitter.com/RR5buBCK3X
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) November 11, 2019
“I love the way you play,” Harbaugh told Jackson. “You just don’t flinch. You just attack. All you do is attack. … You changed the game, man.”
The biggest knock on Jackson coming out of college was that he ran too much and would not be able to pass at the NFL level. While his legs are certainly a dangerous weapon (695 rushing yards and five scores on the ground this season), he has completed nearly 66 percent of his passes for over 2,000 yards, 15 touchdowns and just five interceptions. Even one opponent said after Sunday’s game that Jackson deserves to be NFL MVP.
Harbaugh and the Ravens saw something in Jackson that most other teams didn’t, and Harbaugh’s chat with Jackson on Sunday shows how much the coach is enjoying watching his quarterback play. Jackson demonstrated on one incredible play during Baltimore’s latest win why he has become arguably the most exciting player in football, but his attitude and leadership qualities are looking even more impressive than his game.
