Opponents of Lamar Jackson often find themselves chasing after the Baltimore Ravens No. 8 jersey whenever they go up against the dynamic dual-threat quarterback. However, based on recent remarks from the 24-year-old, he may not be wearing that number for much longer.
In a recent appearance on the Ravens’ team podcast “The Lounge,” Jackson shared that he hopes to swap out his No. 8 uniform for the No. 1 after he wins a Super Bowl in Baltimore. His desire to switch comes from a connection to his father, who encouraged the star quarterback to choose that as his first ever jersey for a very specific reason.
“If we win the Super Bowl, I’m going to No. 1,” Jackson said, per ESPN’s Jamison Hensley. “I want the No. 1. That’s my first number ever. My dad told me, ‘Get No. 1 because that’s the best. You’re the best.’ And it always stuck with me.”
The Ravens exercised the fifth-year option on Jackson’s rookie contract earlier this offseason and have expressed their intention to sign the breakout quarterback to a lucrative extension in the future, provided that he continues to produce at a high level. The 2019 MVP is fully on board with that plan and has high hopes for what he can accomplish in Baltimore, wearing both the No. 1 and the No. 8 jerseys.
“I want to retire No. 8 and No. 1,” Jackson said. “I want to do that here at the Ravens. So, I want to win a Super Bowl with No. 8 on, do as much as I can with No. 8 on, then come back and do the same thing with 1 on.”
.@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
Jackson wore the No. 7 jersey in high school but has donned the No. 8 since playing for Louisville in college. He kept that uniform when coming into the NFL with the Ravens, despite a few teammates expressing their interest in that particular number.
Before any jersey swap takes place, Jackson sounds determined to win a Super Bowl in Baltimore. He’s compiled an overall record of 30-7 in the regular season and led the Ravens to the playoffs in each of the last three seasons, but has gone a disappointing 1-3 once reaching the postseason.
Jackson finally won a playoff game last year, which helped dispel doubts about his ability to win when it counts. In 2021, he’ll need to take another step forward individually if he wants to lead the Ravens to the title game.
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