9781422272091

train Lamar and his brother Jamar. It was during these formative years that Jackson learned his mother’s core values and built the character along with the skills he needed to be successful. After transferring to the Boynton Beach Community High School for his junior year, Jackson turned in a pair of high school seasons that caught the attention of several Division I National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) programs. However, scouts questioned Jackson’s ability to play QB at the next level. He no doubt had elite speed and agility skills, and programs like those at the Universities of Florida and Nebraska could envision Jackson as a top-tier running back (RB) or wide receiver (WR). Jackson had his convictions though—he was a quarterback. One program was willing to guarantee that Jackson would be a quarterback only. Jackson rewarded head coach Bobby Petrino and the University of Louisville with the greatest seasons in the program’s history. In his sophomore season, Jackson was honored with numerous awards, including the Heisman Trophy as the nation’s best collegiate player. After an equally impressive junior year at Louisville, Jackson declared for the draft. The critics were loud and plentiful. Again, people questioned if the athletic QB would be better suited at a skill position. Enter John Harbaugh and the Baltimore Ravens, who traded up to select Jackson with the final pick of the first round. Since that moment, all Jackson has done is prove his doubters wrong by putting up historic numbers while leading Baltimore to the postseason in his first three NFL seasons. Lamar Jackson is the first QB to both throw for 3,000 yards and rush for 1,000 yards in a single season. The 2019 MVP is doing things on the gridiron that nobody has ever before. There are no comparisons … Lamar Jackson is unique.

8

Lamar Jackson