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In a press conference with reporters on Monday, Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Matthew Judon was asked what it’s like being the franchise guy. He quickly corrected everyone on the call, making sure it was well known quarterback Lamar Jackson is the guy in Baltimore.
“First, let’s not get this wrong – we all know who’s the guy here. That’s No. 8,” Judon said. “I got franchise tagged, I’m not the franchise guy. We all know who that is, and that’s the MVP.”
A day later and Jackson took the compliment from Judon. But with his usual humble tone and demeanor, Jackson immediately praised those around him and brought the discussion back to their quest for a championship instead of basking in the approval.
“I appreciate that coming from my peers, especially because we grind so hard together and our goal is to win championships,” Jackson said. “For guys to look at me, and me being so young, to be the franchise guy, I appreciate that. I just know I got to keep doing what I’m doing and keep trying to build up and bring a championship home.”
In his first full season as the starter, Jackson lit the football world on fire last year. He broke several franchise and league records, including toppling what was thought to be unbreakable in Michael Vick’s single-season rushing record for quarterbacks. Jackson led the Ravens to a 14-2 record, the No. 1 seed in the AFC, and only the second unanimous MVP award ever handed out.
Now back for his third season, Jackson has taken on more of a leadership tone this year. Instead of referring to himself, he instead refers to the entire team or the entire offense. “I” has frequently become “we,” and he’s frequently talked about his offensive teammates as “my guys” this offseason. That might sound like an insignificant difference but it shows Jackson has taken full control, which is something coach John Harbaugh has noted.
“He loves that because he’s in the middle of it. He wants to be in the middle of things. He loves the guys, he loves practice, he loves meetings. I mean, he likes to be in the middle of stuff,” Harbaugh said. “If there’s something going on, Lamar’s [Jackson] probably in the middle of it. That’s just his personality and the way he lives.”
As if the MVP award didn’t already indicate Jackson is the true franchise player in Baltimore, his work on and off the field has confirmed it. While maybe not as brash or outspoken as other leaders in the NFL, Jackson has quietly earned the respect of his peers and now has the reins firmly in his hand as he looks to march the Ravens to their third Super Bowl victory.
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