Lamar Jackson of the Ravens’ 5-Word Honest Disclosure Following a Significant Refusal During the NFL Draft
Lamar Jackson’s journey to the NFL is a testament to resilience, talent, and the power of self-belief. Despite being one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in college football history, his path to professional success was riddled with skepticism, doubts, and significant obstacles.
Lamar Jackson’s NFL Draft Snub
During the 2018 NFL Draft, Lamar Jackson was overlooked by multiple teams despite his stellar college career at Louisville, where he won the Heisman Trophy in 2016. Four quarterbacks—Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold, Josh Allen, and Josh Rosen—were picked before him. The hesitation stemmed from concerns about his unconventional playing style, accuracy, and whether his rushing ability would translate effectively to the NFL.
Many analysts and scouts suggested that Jackson should switch positions, proposing a transition to wide receiver rather than quarterback. However, Jackson remained steadfast in his belief that he was a quarterback and refused to participate in wide receiver drills at the NFL Combine.
Jackson’s Five-Word Honest Confession
Following his fall in the draft, Jackson reflected on the experience, offering a blunt five-word confession: “I felt like a has-been.” This statement encapsulated his emotions after being overlooked by multiple teams and questioned about his ability to play quarterback at the professional level.
Jackson’s words highlight the frustration and doubt he felt at the time, as he was one of the most accomplished college quarterbacks in the draft but was still being doubted by experts and teams alike.
Baltimore Ravens Take a Chance
Despite the skepticism surrounding Jackson, the Baltimore Ravens selected him with the 32nd overall pick in the first round of the draft. The move was seen as a calculated risk by the Ravens, who traded up to secure Jackson as their quarterback of the future.
This decision would later prove to be one of the most significant draft steals in recent history. Jackson quickly became the face of the franchise and transformed the Ravens’ offense with his dual-threat ability.
Proving the Doubters Wrong
Since entering the league, Jackson has silenced critics with his exceptional play. Some of his key achievements include:
- Winning the NFL MVP award unanimously in 2019, making him the youngest quarterback to do so.
- Leading the league in passing touchdowns (36) while setting a single-season rushing record for a quarterback.
- Becoming the fastest quarterback to reach 5,000 passing yards and 2,000 rushing yards.
- Breaking multiple NFL records for rushing yards by a quarterback.
- Leading the Ravens to multiple playoff appearances.
Despite these accomplishments, Jackson still faces criticism, particularly about his passing ability and playoff performances. However, he continues to evolve as a quarterback, improving his passing efficiency and leadership skills each season.
A Legacy of Perseverance
Lamar Jackson’s draft night experience serves as a reminder of how doubt and adversity can fuel greatness. His story is an inspiration to young athletes who face skepticism and challenges in their own careers. Instead of succumbing to the criticism, Jackson has used it as motivation to prove his worth and redefine what it means to be a quarterback in the NFL.
His five-word confession—“I felt like a has-been”—may have reflected his emotions on draft night, but his career since then has proven that he is anything but. Instead, he has become one of the most electrifying and influential quarterbacks in NFL history.