The Lamar Jackson free agency saga has turned into nothing short of a highly intense thriller episode. While most details around the ongoing tussle between Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens remain a complete mystery, another interesting development has added itself to the loop. Most NFL fans were left confused at the lack of interest Lamar Jackson received from the NFL teams, while many accused the owners of collusion others felt Jackson’s lack of representation to be the issue. Amidst all the drama, a strange memo concerning Lamar Jackson’s business partner on fitness equipment has been doing the rounds.

The NFL has officially sent out a memo to each and every team reminding them of the consequences of dealing with an individual not certified by the NFLPA.

Jackson finds trouble again

After repeated failed negotiations, the Baltimore Ravens put Lamar Jackson under their non-exclusive franchise tag. The option allowed Lamar to test out his worth as a free agent, and while many speculated suitors to line up, the reality was quite shocking. Almost every team that showed prior interest in Lamar Jackson, backed out from the negotiations. Like most around him, Jackson himself could not make sense of the situation but the damage had already been done.

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Since then the NFL has rolled out a memo to all teams notifying them that a person not certified by the NFLPA might be attempting to persuade team personnel to enter into contract negotiations with Jackson.

ESPN’s Senior NFL Insider, Adam Schefter, shed some light on the matter.

The memo read as follows, “As an uncertified person, Mr. Francis is prohibited from negotiating Offer Sheets or Player Contracts, or discussing potential trades on behalf of any NFL player or prospective player, or assisting in or advising with respect to such negotiations.”

The memo further clarifies that any team found guilty of not following these rules could be potentially charged with a fine of $54,409.

Jackson denies these allegations

The man accused of attempting to persuade NFL teams of negotiating with Lamar Jackson is none other than his business partner on portable gym equipment. Both Lamar Jackson and Ken Francis have since denied these claims.

“I don’t speak for Lamar,” said Francis while stressing that Lamar Jackson handles his football matters independently, and their relationship is purely restricted to business dealings.

Lamar Jackson also took to social media to share his take on the matter, “Stop Lying that man never tried to negotiate for me”

As Jackon is not currently represented by an NFLPA-certified agent, any agreement reached other than directly through him may result in disapproval of any Offer Sheet or resulting Player Contract. In simple words, every bit of interaction has to go through Lamar Jackson directly, and no other channels are to be entertained.

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