Joe Flacco needs to be appreciated by the Ravens Flock

Joe Flacco may have been demoted, but Baltimore Ravens fans should appreciate everything he has done for them.

Joe Flacco has:

• Been the starting quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens since 2008.
• Joe Flacco has a 10-5 postseason record and has the most road playoff wins as a starting quarterback.
• Joe Flacco is a Super Bowl MVP. In his Super Bowl run he had 11 touchdowns and no interceptions. He got past Andrew Luck, Peyton Manning and Tom Brady to get to the Super Bowl.
• Joe Flacco is 96-67 as a starter.

Joe Flacco became the Ravens starting quarterback in week one of the 2008 season. Before Flacco came the Ravens went through quarterbacks at a similar rate as the Cleveland Browns. The Ravens went through names like Vinny Testeverde, Jim Harbaugh, Tony Banks, Trent Dilfer, Chris Redman, Kyle Boller and Anthony Wright. The Ravens became a team in 1996. They didn’t have a franchise quarterback until 2008.

Flacco locked the position down for almost 11 seasons. As a starting quarterback, he took the Ravens to the postseason five years in a row. In the postseason, Flacco played football at a different level. He earned the moniker, “January Joe” with his clutch playoff performances. Flacco was a Super Bowl MVP. While it made way for his massive contract, fans who don’t appreciate Flacco are basically spitting on that Super Bowl victory.

Without Flacco Ed Reed wouldn’t have a championship ring, Ray Lewis wouldn’t have gotten his storybook ending and the Ravens wouldn’t have had the most successful portion of their history. Flacco needs to be appreciated. He’s easily the best quarterback the Ravens ever had. He’s a guy who belongs in the ring of honor, at M&T Bank Stadium.

More from Ebony Bird

• Will Baltimore Ravens be rewarded for risky Lamar Jackson decision?
• The Baltimore Ravens Big Gamble
• Ravens Super Bowl odds present fascinating insight on Lamar Jackson’s future
• Should Baltimore Ravens be interested in this recently released WR
• Do the Baltimore Ravens have serious interest in this free agent wide out?

When John Harbaugh announced that Lamar Jackson would be the starter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a new chapter began. This doesn’t diminish the impact of Flacco on the Ravens. This doesn’t erase anything. It is entirely possible for the Ravens Flock to be happy for Lamar Jackson and still love everything about Joe Flacco.

Flacco has been one of the most criticized players on the Ravens throughout his career. There are a lot of fans who are more joyfully reacting to his demotion than celebrating the rise of Jackson. The fanbase is split, and Twitter is a good indicator of that. The quarterback debate has been the most hotly contested issue in this fandom’s existence.

It’s one hundred percent okay to be excited about the Jackson era. In fact, Baltimore should be thrilled that they have a young quarterback showing flashes of brilliance. It’s also one hundred percent wrong to disrespect Flacco.

Flacco has been a class act his entire time in Baltimore and he’s meant more to this city than most players ever will. You never hear a bad word about Flacco coming from a player or anybody in the organization, which is telling in his 11th year. Flacco hasn’t been perfect, but he’s been the face of the franchise ever since he hoisted the Lombardi Trophy. He’s been a person that we could be proud of.

No matter what side you’re on in this great quarterback debate, Flacco deserves your respect, admiration and appreciation.