Lamar Jackson lost his father when he was eight. Since then, it has all been on his mother, Felicia Jones. And it is that gritty woman who shaped the phenom that Jackson is today, from the very beginning, literally. In fact, it was Jones who was behind Jackson even taking up football. The Ravens’ QB was reportedly not a fan of football while he was young. Despite that, Jones introduced Jackson to football- she sent him to a local trainer, and the flashes of brilliance were immediately evident. That eventually led Jackson to lean on to football.

Jackson continued to train with the local trainer. But if anyone had a bigger role to play, it was none other than Jones. While Jackson practiced, she used to observe for hours and absorb as much as she could. The other half of the practice used to take place in their backyard when Jones would put his observations to use. Not only that, she would also add her own improvisations to that. It was Jones who trained Jackson in tackling even before he reached double-figure age. What more?

There was no place for excuses. “I used to complain a lot,” Jackson had said. “There were days I was like, ‘Mom, I don’t want to go today.'” But who was listening? Even at that age, Jones made Jackson practice six days a week. But behind all this was locked up a sad reality. She was a single mother with four little children looking up to her, and she was fighting to make ends meet. But the fact is, Jones is not the only mother who had to live through this. It is a reality that is troubling the entire nation.

Lamar Jackson isn’t just acknowledging it – he’s calling it out. The QB, known for his jaw-dropping plays on the football field, has now decided to bring everyone’s attention to a serious issue in America. Raised by a single mother who did it all, Jackson knows firsthand the struggles many families face, and he’s making sure the world pays attention.

Jackson reshared a post on his IG story. The post shows a staggering statistic: the share of single mothers in the U.S. by race and ethnicity. The data, sourced from the Center for American Progress, paints a stark picture. In 2023, 21% of all mothers in the U.S. were single, with Black mothers making up the highest percentage at 47%, followed by Hispanic mothers at 25%, white mothers at 14%, and Asian mothers at 8%. He captioned it with emojis – “😔😔💔” – making it clear that this issue is personal to him.

Growing up in a single-parent household himself, Lamar Jackson’s reaction isn’t surprising. He was single-handedly raised by her mom, alongside his younger brother and two sisters. His father passed away when he was young. But his mother, Felicia Jones, played a crucial role in his journey to the NFL. From being his mother, his football coach, to his manager – she is a superwoman. Jackson himself often refers to her as the “superhero,” because of her support and impact on his journey.

She made sure that Jackson could chase his dreams, and she did everything on her own, without asking for a handout. “Just [seeing] how she [would] grind and work without complaining… not wanting me to get a job, telling me to focus on football and she’s going to take care of everything else.”

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And Jackson has always discussed how she is the reason behind all this success. He shared, “Seeing that, I was like, ‘If she can do that, I can do anything.'” So, that makes it clear why the post shared by him isn’t just another statistic; it hits home for Jackson. Hence, Jackson has always tried to make a difference through his actions.

More than just football: Lamar’s commitment to giving back

Lamar Jackson isn’t just about touchdowns and MVP titles – he’s also about making an impact in other people’s lives. He has handed out cash to complete strangers at departmental stores and fed families in the Dominican Republic – he’s constantly looking for ways to give back.

One of his standout initiatives was partnering with Lowe’s and the Southwest Partnership to support the United Way Family Center in Baltimore’s Poppleton neighborhood. This center provides early childhood education, daycare, and parenting resources – something Jackson is passionate about.

“It’s just a dream of mine, ever since I was a little kid, to be able to give back to the communities,” Jackson told Yahoo Sports. “Any opportunity that I have to give back to Baltimore, I’m proud of that.”

Despite all his generosity and hard work, Jackson still faces criticism. But his actions speak louder than his words. Fans have flooded social media with praise, calling him a “Man of the People” and an inspiration for the younger generation.

Whether he’s throwing touchdowns or making a difference off the field, one thing is clear – Lamar Jackson isn’t just here to play football. He’s here to leave a lasting impact, just like the woman who raised him.