Amidst Financial Heartbreak With Team He Trusted, Lamar Jackson Goes Back to a Time When QB Didn’t Play for Money

Lamar Jackson and the Ravens just can’t seem to get past the impasse they have built for themselves. With the non-exclusive franchise tag on him, the star quarterback could have very well played his last season in Maryland. However, it seems that the former MVP is trying to get his mind off the whole contract saga and remember something memorable. Action Jackson took a moment away from the negotiation madness to reflect on a time of tranquillity in his life, many years ago.

Long before Lamar joined the National Football League, the quarterback became a household name because of his incredible achievements at the University of Louisville during his college football career. And without the max-contract cloud hanging over his head there, Jackson wished he could go back in time.

Lamar Jackson reminisces about his college football team

After making about $1.7 million in 2021 and around $23 million in 2022, the 2019 NFL MVP wants what is owed to him. However, the offer could come from another franchise after Baltimore Ravens made their stance clear with the non-exclusive tag. The tag came with a $32 million cap hit, saving the Ravens a sweet $13 million, which they would have incurred for an exclusive franchise tag.

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Back in 2015, after coming out of Boynton Beach High School in Florida, Lamar didn’t have these complications when he chose the Louisville Cardinals over other Power Five school offers like Florida, Clemson, and Auburn. Being a top 20 dual-threat quarterback on the recruiting list, Lamar had his options. However, when head coach Bobby Petrino promised the quarterback role, Action Jackson made up his mind.

He recently retweeted a college highlights reel with the caption, “Ville,” followed by a red heart emoji.

Jackson’s college stats were indeed otherworldly

During his freshman year, Lamar Jackson led the Cardinals to an 8-5 winning season, passing for 1840 yards and 12 touchdowns, and rushing for 960 yards and 11 scores. The 26-year-old led Louisville to the Music City Bowl in 2015. There he won himself the MVP and also set the rushing record in the Bowl’s history.

2016 was a memorable year for Action Jackson. The sophomore communications major became the youngest Heisman winner in college football history after an iconic season from the pocket. The Cardinals ended the season 9-4 with Jackson putting on 3543 passing yards, 30 passing scores, 1571 rush yards, and 21 rushing TDs. These numbers also earned him the Walter Camp award for player of the year and the Maxwell award for the most prolific dual-threat player in college football.

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In 2017, the world saw Lamar Jackson at his peak. He passed for 3660 yards and 27 touchdowns, while also running for 1601 yards with 18 rushing scores in an 8-5 season for the Cardinals. This made him the unanimous candidate for the ACC Athlete of the Year for all conference sports. No wonder Lamar can’t forget those glamorous days in the midst of the current turmoil.