Lamar Jackson defends his commitment to the Ravens
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is no stranger to criticism regarding his skills on the field. Despite consistently demonstrating his elite ability when healthy, he finds himself under scrutiny from both local and national commentators. Recently, Jackson took a stand against what he perceives as character attacks, particularly in response to a scathing column from Baltimore Sun writer Mike Preston, who has long been a vocal critic of the quarterback.
The backdrop of adversity
The controversy erupted during a challenging season for Jackson, who has faced a barrage of questions about his toughness and loyalty to the team. As he contended with a severe back contusion that sidelined him for crucial moments, he was unable to address the criticisms directly until recently. After participating fully in practice for the second time in two weeks, Jackson addressed the media ahead of a pivotal Week 18 showdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Reflecting on his injury, Jackson expressed frustration over the doubts cast on his character. “I felt like [backup quarterback Tyler Huntley] could pull the win out for us because I wouldn’t be able to do anything,” he stated. “I was really hurt. I don’t know why I got to get questioned about it… I’ve never quit on my team before. I never quit anything, to be honest with y’all, so I don’t know where that noise came from.”
A human response to injury
Jackson’s lighthearted acknowledgment of his human limitations offered a stark contrast to the expectations placed upon him. “Some people might think I’m a robot that can just keep on ticking,” he quipped. “But unfortunately, I couldn’t avoid that injury. It happened, we got the win in Green Bay, and I’m looking forward to playing Sunday.”
The Ravens quarterback emphasized his focus on winning rather than engaging with the relentless critiques. “I just want to win. I don’t really care about the criticism,” he remarked. “It’s going to be that way, especially with how the season was going. When you’re winning, there’s no noise, but as soon as you lose or things don’t look right, all type of noise come out of nowhere.”
Dismissal of unfounded rumors
Amidst the scrutiny, Jackson found humor in some of the more absurd allegations directed at him, such as claims that he stays up late playing video games or dozes off during team meetings. “I don’t even do that in the summer,” he laughed, refuting the notion of late-night gaming sessions. “Do you think [head coach John] Harbaugh would let me fall asleep in his meeting? That’s crazy. I’m right in the front. I don’t know where that came from, but it is what it is, just noise.”
A commitment to the Ravens amidst speculation
As Jackson navigates the tumultuous landscape of criticism, he remains steadfastly focused on the task at hand: winning. He is resolute about his commitment to the Ravens, despite speculation surrounding his future. Preston’s recent column suggested potential trade scenarios, even hinting that Jackson might welcome a change of scenery.
However, Jackson clarified his position regarding his contract situation, which runs through 2027. The looming cap hits of $74.5 million over the next two years may necessitate negotiations for a long-term extension, but Jackson is not preoccupied with that during the season. “Absolutely, I want to remain in Baltimore for the long haul,” he asserted. “We got to focus on winning right now, so contract talk can be after the season or whatever. During the season, I’m locked in.”
Navigating external noise
Even with a potential victory against the Steelers that could secure a third consecutive AFC North title for the Ravens, Jackson knows that the noise surrounding his performance will persist. He pointed out the relentless scrutiny faced by quarterbacks across the league, regardless of their achievements. “It’s always noise,” he acknowledged. “It’s the National Football League. Just got to focus on winning.”
As Jackson prepares for the culmination of the season, he remains committed to silencing the critics with his play on the field, determined to lead the Ravens to success.
