
via Getty
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – OCTOBER 02: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates after J.K. Dobbins #27 scored a touchdown in the first quarter against the Buffalo Bills at M&T Bank Stadium on October 02, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

via Getty
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – OCTOBER 02: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates after J.K. Dobbins #27 scored a touchdown in the first quarter against the Buffalo Bills at M&T Bank Stadium on October 02, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Lamar Jackson fans would say he is numero uno! But his mom would tell you that he is number 8. No need to get worked up, though. She was speaking about the Ravens QB’s jersey number. And Felicia Jones has a pretty solid reason for thinking that way. And as the 27-year-old prepares for the AFC Championship game, he needs all the good omens on his side.
Jackson happens to be the frontrunner in the NFL MVP race. That, combined with the upcoming Chiefs game, is causing No. 8 jerseys to just fly off the shell. So, what’s the mystery behind this peculiar number?
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‘8’ is special for Lamar Jackson
He actually didn’t choose the number for himself. When he joined the team while in Louisville, the number chose him. And while people find special meaning in numbers like 7 and 10, 8 meant nothing to him. It wasn’t the number of any great NFL quarterback. Neither did other sports legends like Messi and Ronaldo have that number. But then his mother told him something that made him smile. The number stands for new beginnings in the Bible.
.@Lj_era8 to No. 1 ⁉️
"If we win the Super Bowl, I'm going to No. 1… I want to retire No. 8 and No. 1. I want to do that here at the Ravens."
🗣: https://t.co/rcJ9lJzMVt pic.twitter.com/f1z4lQurx4
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) July 27, 2021
And being the religious man that he is, it was enough for him. And guess what? He hoisted the Heisman Trophy as #8. But that could change soon, actually. “If we win a Super Bowl, I’m going No. 1,” Jackson said. He has the NFL MVP checked off his list. The Vince Lombardi Trophy, however, still eludes him. Although, should he win the Super Bowl, he’ll be bidding adieu to 8.
Can Jackson win the Super Bowl?
This season has been truly exceptional for him. Even by Lamar’s high standards. What was the Ravens’ record with the QB? 13-4. Not only that, they can also boast of the No. 1 AFC seed. They’re coming off a recent victory over the Texans, whom they humbled in the Divisional Round. But now, they’ll face their hardest battle yet.
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USA Today via Reuters
Jan 20, 2024; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) rolls out to throw against the Houston Texans during the second quarter of a 2024 AFC divisional round game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
Enter the Chiefs. Although they will have a home advantage, would that be enough to stop the squad? After all, he did finish the year with career records! And in not just one metric, but three. Passing yards, pass completions, and completion percentage.
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Baltimore has dominated both sides of the ball. Will they be able to take advantage of a weakened KC offense? The Ravens will face off against the Chiefs at 3:00 p.m. ET on January 28 at M&T Bank Stadium, Maryland.
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