Lamar Jackson is an American football quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens. He won the Heisman Trophy in college and was drafted by the Ravens in 2018. Initially a backup, he became the starting quarterback due to an injury and led the team to a division title. Notably, he became the youngest NFL quarterback to start a playoff game at 21.
1989: Lamar Jackson Matches Joe Montana's Perfect Passer Rating Feat
In 1989, Joe Montana achieved a perfect passer rating with specific stats.
January 7, 1997: Birth of Lamar Jackson
Lamar Demeatrice Jackson Jr. was born on January 7, 1997. This event marks the beginning of his life and journey.
2005: Tragic Loss of Father and Grandmother
At the young age of eight, Lamar Jackson faced the devastating loss of both his father and grandmother on the same day in 2005. This tragedy deeply impacted his life and shaped his resilience.
2006: Cardinals' Highest Ranking Since 2006
In this particular year, Lamar Jackson's exceptional performance led the Cardinals to achieve their highest ranking since 2006, marking a significant milestone for the team.
2010: Tom Brady Wins Unanimous MVP
In 2010, Tom Brady became the first player to win the NFL MVP award unanimously.
2012: Playoff Performances and AFC Championship Appearance
In the 2012 Divisional Round against the Houston Texans, Lamar Jackson led the Baltimore Ravens to a 34-10 victory. He scored two touchdowns, rushed for 100 yards, and achieved a passer rating of 121.8, leading the Ravens to their first AFC Championship Game appearance since 2012. Despite his efforts in the AFC Championship Game, the Ravens lost 17-10 to the Kansas City Chiefs.
2014: High School Football and Track Star
In 2014, Lamar Jackson showcased his athleticism in both football and track. While leading his high school football team, he also excelled on the track, achieving an impressive personal record in the 100-meter dash.
2015: Freshman Year at Louisville
Lamar Jackson's college football career began in 2015 as a freshman at the University of Louisville. He made an immediate impact, showcasing his dual-threat abilities as a quarterback, passing for over 1,800 yards and rushing for over 900 yards.
December 10, 2016: Youngest Heisman Trophy Winner
On December 10, 2016, Lamar Jackson etched his name in history by becoming the youngest-ever Heisman Trophy winner at the age of 19. This accolade solidified his status as one of college football's most electrifying players.
2016: Play of the Year
In 2016, Lamar Jackson's remarkable athleticism was on full display with a play so extraordinary that it earned him the Play of the Year award, capturing the attention and admiration of fans.
2016: Heisman Trophy Winner
Lamar Jackson's exceptional skills on the football field earned him the prestigious Heisman Trophy in 2016 while playing for the Louisville Cardinals.
2017: Heisman Finalist
Lamar Jackson's exceptional performance as a quarterback continued in 2017, leading him to become a Heisman Trophy finalist for the second consecutive year, solidifying his place among the nation's top college football players.
2017: Adidas High Performance Male Athlete of the Year
Lamar Jackson's athletic prowess was recognized beyond the football field in 2017 when he received the Adidas High Performance Male Athlete of the Year award, highlighting his overall athletic excellence.
2017: ACC Athlete of the Year
Lamar Jackson's dominance extended beyond football, earning him the prestigious title of ACC Athlete of the Year in 2017, a testament to his exceptional athletic abilities across multiple sports.
2017: Impressive 40-Yard Dash Time
In 2017, Lamar Jackson showcased his blazing speed by reportedly clocking in an impressive 4.34-second 40-yard dash time, further demonstrating his exceptional athleticism.
January 5, 2018: Entering the NFL Draft
On January 5, 2018, Lamar Jackson made the momentous decision to declare for the NFL draft, signaling the start of his professional football journey.
June 5, 2018: Signing with the Baltimore Ravens
On June 5, 2018, Lamar Jackson officially signed his rookie contract with the Baltimore Ravens, marking the beginning of his professional career with the team.
2018: Ravens Shift Offensive Strategy to Focus on Jackson
After the 2018 season, the Baltimore Ravens decided to revamp their offensive approach to suit Lamar Jackson's unique skillset, moving away from the strategy designed for former quarterback Joe Flacco. This involved making significant changes to their playbook, terminology, and personnel to complement Jackson's dual-threat capabilities.
2018: Launch of Era 8 Apparel
Lamar Jackson launched his sportswear line, Era 8 Apparel, in 2018.
2018: Drafted to the NFL
Lamar Jackson's football career reached new heights in 2018 when he was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens with the 32nd overall pick, marking his entry into the NFL.
2018: Rookie Season Success and AFC North Title
Lamar Jackson's rookie season in 2018 was marked by impressive performances, leading the Ravens to a 6-1 record in his seven starts and ultimately securing the AFC North title, showcasing his immediate impact on the team.
2019: NFL MVP and Rushing Record
Lamar Jackson's exceptional performance in 2019, leading the NFL in touchdown passes and setting a single-season rushing record for a quarterback, earned him the prestigious title of NFL Most Valuable Player.
2019: Jackson Wins Unanimous MVP, Joins Elite Group of Black Quarterbacks
Lamar Jackson's exceptional 2019 season culminated in him being unanimously voted the NFL's Most Valuable Player, a feat previously accomplished only by Tom Brady in 2010. This achievement also placed him among a select group of African-American quarterbacks to receive this prestigious award.
2019: Breaking Rushing Records and Dual-Threat Playstyle
Lamar Jackson's dual-threat playstyle has drawn comparisons to Randall Cunningham and Michael Vick. His performance led the Baltimore Ravens to lead the league in rushing every year except his rookie season. In 2019, the Ravens broke the single-season rushing record, with Jackson breaking Vick's record for most rushing yards by a quarterback in a single season.
2019: Jackson Breaks Vick's Rushing Record, Sets Franchise Records
Lamar Jackson had a historic season in 2019, breaking multiple records and solidifying his place as a premier dual-threat quarterback. Notably, he surpassed Michael Vick's single-season rushing record for a quarterback and set the Ravens' franchise record for touchdown passes in a single season.
2019: Jackson Achieves Second Perfect Passer Rating, Dominates Bengals
Lamar Jackson delivered a stellar performance against the Cincinnati Bengals in 2019, throwing for 223 yards and three touchdowns while adding 65 rushing yards and another touchdown. This achievement marked his second perfect passer rating of the season, making him the second player in NFL history to achieve this feat in a single season. He joined the ranks of Aaron Rodgers (2019) and Joe Montana (1989) as the only players in the Super Bowl era to accomplish this with 15+ completions, 3+ passing touchdowns, 1+ rushing touchdowns.
2019: Gift to Pope Francis
In 2019, Pope Francis received a signed Lamar Jackson Ravens jersey as a gift.
2019: AFC Offensive Player of the Week and Clinching Top Seed
In 2019, Lamar Jackson led the Baltimore Ravens to a 33-19 victory over the San Francisco 49ers and followed that with a perfect passer rating game against the Miami Dolphins, earning him AFC Offensive Player of the Week. The Ravens clinched the top seed in the AFC and won the AFC North championship for the first time since 2019.
2019: Personal Life and Inspiration
As of 2019, Lamar Jackson resides in Owings Mills, Maryland, with his mother and siblings. He is a Christian and has a daughter named Milan, whom he affectionately calls "Lani." Growing up, Jackson idolized Michael Vick, drawing inspiration from his dual-threat style of play.
2019: Madden NFL Appearances and Speed Upgrade
In 2019, Lamar Jackson's Madden NFL character speed was upgraded to 96, making him the fastest quarterback in the game's history. He also appeared on ABC's Celebrity Family Feud and was featured as the cover athlete for Madden NFL 21.
February 2020: Recognition by BET Digital
In February 2020, BET Digital recognized Lamar Jackson as one of 40 inspiring and innovative figures in African American culture, highlighting his impact on and off the field.
March 2020: Lawsuit Against Amazon
In March 2020, Lamar Jackson filed a lawsuit against Amazon, alleging the unauthorized use of his name, image, and persona for profit.
August 2020: Endorsement Deal with Oakley
In August 2020, Lamar Jackson secured an endorsement deal with Oakley, Inc., a renowned manufacturer of sports equipment, including sunglasses, goggles, and helmet visors.
November 26, 2020: Jackson Tests Positive for COVID-19
On November 26, 2020, Lamar Jackson received a positive COVID-19 diagnosis and was subsequently placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list, highlighting the impact of the pandemic on the NFL season.
2020: Jackson Makes History as Pro Bowl's Youngest Starting Quarterback
In 2020, Lamar Jackson etched his name in Pro Bowl history by becoming the youngest quarterback to start the game. He put on an impressive offensive display, throwing for 185 yards and two touchdowns, earning him the well-deserved title of Offensive Most Valuable Player.
April 30, 2021: Ravens Exercise Jackson's Fifth-Year Option
On April 30, 2021, the Baltimore Ravens made a strategic move by exercising the fifth-year option on Lamar Jackson's contract, securing his services for the 2022 season with a guaranteed $23 million. This decision underscored the team's belief in Jackson's long-term potential and their commitment to building a championship-contending roster around him.
2021: Dak Prescott Sets Record for Largest Signing Bonus
In 2021, Dak Prescott inked a deal with the Dallas Cowboys that included a then-record-breaking signing bonus.
May 2022: Venture into the Restaurant Business
In May 2022, Lamar Jackson ventured into the restaurant industry by acquiring Tasty's Soul Food Sports Bar & Grill in Pompano Beach, Florida. He renamed the establishment Play Action Soulfood and More.
September 2022: Cover Star of "NFL Pro Era"
Lamar Jackson announced his role as the cover star of "NFL Pro Era," the NFL's first virtual reality game, in September 2022.
December 23, 2022: Release of "NFL Pro Era"
The VR game "NFL Pro Era" was released on December 23, 2022, with Lamar Jackson as the cover athlete, allowing fans to experience the game from a quarterback's perspective.
2022: Jackson Turns Down Extension, Aims Higher
Lamar Jackson declined a contract extension offer, demonstrating his confidence in his ability to further elevate his game and command a more lucrative deal in the future.
2022: Jackson's Dominant Start to 2022 Earns Him Player of the Month
Lamar Jackson had an explosive start to the 2022 NFL season, leading the league in quarterback rating and passing touchdowns, while also showcasing his rushing prowess. His exceptional performance throughout the month earned him the prestigious title of AFC Offensive Player of the Month.
2022: Signing a Historic Contract
In 2022, Lamar Jackson's talent and value were solidified when he signed a five-year contract extension with the Baltimore Ravens worth a record-breaking $260 million, showcasing his significance to the team.
March 7, 2023: Ravens Use Franchise Tag on Jackson Amid Contract Disputes
Contract negotiations between Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens reached a critical point on March 7, 2023, when the team decided to place the non-exclusive franchise tag on their star quarterback. This move prevented Jackson from becoming a free agent but also opened the door for other teams to potentially negotiate a contract with him.
April 27, 2023: Jackson Signs Record-Breaking Contract with Ravens
Lamar Jackson's contract saga with the Baltimore Ravens reached its resolution on April 27, 2023, when he signed a groundbreaking five-year deal worth $260 million. Notably, the contract included $185 million in guaranteed money and an average annual salary of $52 million, making him the highest-paid player in NFL history at the time.
September 17, 2023: Jackson Leads Ravens to Victory over Bengals
On September 17, 2023, Lamar Jackson showcased his dual-threat abilities, leading the Baltimore Ravens to a hard-fought 27-24 victory over their division rivals, the Cincinnati Bengals, who were the reigning AFC North champions. Jackson's impressive performance included both passing and rushing touchdowns, contributing significantly to the Ravens' triumph.
October 16, 2023: Release of "NFL Pro Era II"
Lamar Jackson was featured on the cover of the sequel, "NFL Pro Era II," which was released on October 16, 2023.
2023: Passing Ability and Perfect Passer Rating
During Week 16 of the 2023 season, Lamar Jackson achieved his third perfect passer rating in a 56-19 victory over the Miami Dolphins. This accomplishment tied him for the second-most perfect passer ratings in NFL history, showcasing his improved passing abilities.
2023: Second NFL MVP Award
Lamar Jackson's dominance continued into 2023 as he led the Baltimore Ravens to the top seed in the AFC and secured his second NFL MVP award, further cementing his status as one of the league's best.
January 3, 2024: Second NFL MVP Award and Season Conclusion
On January 3, 2024, Lamar Jackson was inactive for the final game of the regular season. He finished the season with career highs in pass completions, completion percentage, and passing yards. Jackson won his second NFL MVP award at the age of 27, making him the second-youngest player to achieve this honor.