History of Lamar Jackson in Timeline

Lamar Jackson is a highly accomplished American football quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens. He won the Heisman Trophy in 2016 while playing for Louisville and was drafted by the Ravens in 2018. Jackson is a two-time NFL MVP and holds the record for all-time quarterback rushing yards. He is widely considered one of the best quarterbacks of his era and often regarded as the greatest dual-threat quarterback in NFL history.

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Full Timeline

1989: Joe Montana's Accomplishment

In 2019, Lamar Jackson joined Joe Montana (1989) as one of the players in the Super Bowl era with 15-plus completions, 3-plus passing touchdowns, 1-plus rushing touchdowns, and a perfect passer rating in a single game.

January 7, 1997: Lamar Jackson Jr. Born

On January 7, 1997, Lamar Demeatrice Jackson Jr. was born. He is now a professional football quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens of the NFL.

2005: Death of Father and Grandmother

In 2005, when Lamar Jackson was eight years old, his father died from a heart attack on the same day his grandmother died.

2006: Cardinals Ranking

Against Florida State, Lamar made the Cardinals a #3 ranking, their highest since 2006.

2010: Tom Brady MVP season

Lamar Jackson was voted the MVP of the 2019 season. He became the second player after Tom Brady in 2010 to be voted unanimously and the second-youngest player to win, behind only Jim Brown.

2012: First AFC Championship Game appearance since 2012

In 2012, Jackson's Divisional Round performance against the Houston Texans, led Baltimore to a 34–10 victory, clinching their first AFC Championship Game appearance since 2012.

2012: AFC Championship Game Appearance

In 2023, Lamar Jackson took the Ravens to their first AFC Championship Game since 2012.

2014: High School Player of the Year

In 2014, Lamar Jackson was named the Lou Groza Palm Beach County High School Player of the Year.

2015: Freshman Season at Louisville

In 2015, Lamar Jackson played in 12 games as a freshman at Louisville, making eight starts. He was named the MVP of the 2015 Music City Bowl.

December 10, 2016: Heisman Trophy Winner

On December 10, 2016, Lamar Jackson was selected as the 2016 Heisman Trophy winner, becoming Louisville's first Heisman Trophy winner and the youngest-ever recipient of the award at 19 years old.

2016: Louie for Play of the Year

In 2016, Lamar Jackson won a Louie for Play of the Year after a notable leap in the Syracuse game.

2016: Heisman Trophy Winner

In 2016, Lamar Jackson won the Heisman Trophy while playing college football for the Louisville Cardinals.

2017: ACC Athlete of the Year

Following the 2017-18 school year, Lamar Jackson was named the men's ACC Athlete of the Year.

2017: Reported 40-Yard Dash Time

In 2017 at Louisville, Lamar Jackson reportedly clocked in a 4.34 40 yard dash time.

2017: Heisman Finalist

In 2017, Lamar Jackson was a Heisman finalist, ultimately finishing in third place in the voting.

2017: Adidas High Performance Male Athlete of the Year

In 2017, Lamar Jackson won a Louie for being named the Adidas High Performance Male Athlete of the Year.

January 5, 2018: Declares for NFL Draft

On January 5, 2018, Lamar Jackson announced that he would enter the 2018 NFL draft.

June 5, 2018: Signs Rookie Contract

On June 5, 2018, Lamar Jackson signed his rookie contract with the Baltimore Ravens, reportedly worth $9.47 million with a $4.97 million signing bonus.

2018: Launch of Era 8 Apparel

In 2018, Lamar Jackson announced the launch of his sportswear line, Era 8 Apparel.

2018: Foundation of The Forever Dreamers Foundation

In 2018, Lamar Jackson founded The Forever Dreamers Foundation which supports children's welfare and mental health awareness.

2018: Drafted by Baltimore Ravens

In 2018, Lamar Jackson was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens with the final pick in the first round of the NFL draft.

2018: Ravens close out the 2018 season

In 2018, the Ravens went 6-1 in the seven regular season games in which Jackson had started, the Ravens went 6–1 to close out the 2018 season.

2018: Offensive Strategy Change

Once the 2018 season ended, the Ravens' coaching staff decided to abandon the offensive strategy that had been designed for Joe Flacco and create a new offensive philosophy centered around the specific skills of Jackson.

2019: Jackson's Life in Owings Mills, Maryland

As of 2019, Lamar Jackson lives in Owings Mills, Maryland, with his mother and siblings.

2019: AFC North championship victory

In 2019, Jackson and the Miami Dolphins victory clinched the top-seed in the AFC and the AFC North championship for the first time.

2019: Jackson Appears on Celebrity Family Feud and Madden NFL Upgrade

In 2019, Lamar Jackson appeared on ABC's Celebrity Family Feud. During the 2019 NFL season, Jackson's Madden NFL character speed was upgraded to 96, making Jackson the fastest quarterback in that game's history.

2019: Breaks Rushing Record

In 2019, Lamar Jackson broke Michael Vick's single-season rushing record for a quarterback.

2019: Second Perfect Passer Rating

In 2019, Lamar Jackson threw for 223 yards and three touchdowns and rushing for 65 yards and a touchdown, finishing with a perfect passer rating, becoming only the second player in NFL history to produce two perfect passer ratings in the same season.

2019: Pope Francis Gifted a Signed Jackson Jersey

In 2019, Pope Francis was gifted a signed Lamar Jackson Ravens jersey.

2019: Ravens break rushing record in 2019

In 2019, the Ravens broke the single-season rushing record, with Lamar Jackson breaking Michael Vick's record for most rushing yards by a quarterback in a single season.

2019: MVP of the 2019 season

Lamar Jackson was voted the MVP of the 2019 season. He became the second player after Tom Brady in 2010 to be voted unanimously and the second-youngest player to win, behind only Jim Brown.

February 2020: BET Digital Highlights Jackson as an Inspiring Vanguard

In February 2020, BET Digital highlighted Lamar Jackson as one of 40 of the most inspiring and innovative vanguards in African American culture.

March 2020: Lawsuit Against Amazon

In March 2020, Lamar Jackson filed a federal lawsuit against Amazon, charging the corporate giant with unauthorized use of Jackson's name, image, and persona in connection with clothing.

August 2020: Endorsement Deal with Oakley, Inc.

In August 2020, Lamar Jackson signed an endorsement deal with Oakley, Inc., a company that produces sunglasses, sports goggles, and football helmet visors.

November 26, 2020: Tests Positive for COVID-19

On November 26, 2020, Lamar Jackson tested positive for COVID-19 and was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list.

December 2020: Dreamers Foundation Distributes Gifts to Families

In December 2020, Lamar Jackson and his Dreamers Foundation distributed gifts and toys to more than 150 families in the Baltimore area.

2020: Multiple 1,000-Yard Rushing Seasons

In 2020, Lamar Jackson became the first quarterback with multiple 1,000-yard rushing seasons and led the Ravens to a third straight playoff appearance.

2020: Pro Bowl Offensive MVP

In 2020, Lamar Jackson was the starting quarterback at the Pro Bowl in Orlando, Florida, where he was named the offensive Most Valuable Player.

April 30, 2021: Ravens Exercise Fifth-Year Option on Jackson's Contract

On April 30, 2021, the Ravens exercised the fifth-year option on Lamar Jackson's contract, guaranteeing him $23 million for the 2022 season.

2021: Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott's Deal

In 2021, Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott's deal, was the biggest signing bonus in NFL history.

May 2022: Entering the Restaurant Business

In May 2022, Lamar Jackson entered the restaurant business with the purchase of a soul food restaurant in Florida.

September 2022: Cover Star of NFL's First VR Game

In September 2022, Lamar Jackson announced he would be the cover star of NFL's first virtual reality (VR) game.

December 23, 2022: Release of NFL Pro Era VR Game

On December 23, 2022, "NFL Pro Era", the first VR NFL game, was released on PlayStation VR and Meta Quest. The game is said to let users 'experience what it's like to compete as the QB of their favorite NFL team.'

2022: Jackson Turns Down Contract Extension and Achieves Milestones

In 2022, Lamar Jackson declined a contract extension believing he could earn more. He surpassed Michael Vick for the most 100-yard rushing games by a quarterback. For the first month of the 2022 NFL season, Jackson led the league in quarterback rating (119.0) and passing touchdowns (10), earning him the AFC Offensive Player of the Month. Jackson also suffered his first loss to an NFC opponent, having been 12–0 previously.

March 7, 2023: Ravens Place Non-Exclusive Franchise Tag on Jackson

On March 7, 2023, the Ravens placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on Lamar Jackson, signaling a continued period of negotiation regarding his contract.

September 17, 2023: Jackson Leads Ravens to Victory Over Bengals

On September 17, 2023, Lamar Jackson led the Ravens to a 27–24 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, completing 24-of-33 passes for 237 yards and two touchdowns, while also rushing for 54 yards.

October 16, 2023: Jackson on the Cover of NFL Pro Era II

On October 16, 2023, Lamar Jackson was featured on the cover of the sequel game, NFL Pro Era II.

2023: Second MVP Award

In 2023, Lamar Jackson secured a second NFL MVP award while taking the Ravens to their first AFC Championship Game since 2012.

January 3, 2024: Jackson to be inactive for final game and wins MVP award

On January 3, 2024, the Ravens announced that Lamar Jackson would be inactive for the final game of the regular season. Jackson finished the regular season with career highs in pass completions, completion percentage, and passing yards. Jackson also won his second NFL MVP in a near-unanimous decision.

2024: Jackson breaks Vick's rushing record in 2024

In 2024, Jackson broke Vick's record for most rushing yards by a quarterback in a career.

2024: Career Highs and All-Time Leader

In 2024, Lamar Jackson set career highs in passing, became the all-time leader in quarterback rushing yards, and tied the record for most perfect passer rating games with four.

2024: Jackson's Performance in the AFC Championship Game and ESPY Award

In 2024, during the AFC Championship Game, one of Lamar Jackson's completed passes was batted into the air and caught by Jackson himself who went for 14 yards. The play was named best play at the 2024 ESPY Awards.

March 2025: Jackson's Cameo in Power Book III: Raising Kanan

In March 2025, Lamar Jackson made a cameo appearance as E-Tone in the Starz crime drama series, Power Book III: Raising Kanan.

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April 2025: Launch of Forever Dreamers 8 Scholars Program

In April 2025, Lamar Jackson's Dreamers Foundation launched the Forever Dreamers 8 Scholars program, providing high school seniors in the Park Heights community with opportunities in Maryland's thoroughbred racing industry.