Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson played Tom Brady just once in his career, but he apparently made a strong impression on the now-retired GOAT.
Brady thanked the Tampa Bay franchise, his family, and many others in his retirement announcement on social media, and he saved one very unexpected message for the Ravens star quarterback.
On Tuesday, Brady posted a picture of himself and Jackson on his Instagram story and told Jackson he was “next,” presumably in the line of legendary quarterbacks.
On the day he officially retired, Tom Brady had a message for Lamar Jackson on IG pic.twitter.com/OaA6Qj3Ky3
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) February 2, 2022
Typo aside, what a powerful statement.
The photo was taken in Brady’s and Jackson’s sole meeting in 2019, when the Ravens beat the Patriots in a 37-20 victory.
In the game, Brady threw for 285 yards and recorded one touchdown against one interception, but Jackson outplayed the former Patriots QB, throwing for 163 yards and one touchdown and adding 61 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.
Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson receives flaming torch from Tom Brady
If one were to zoom out and look at Brady’s career as a whole, that Ravens/Patriots game doesn’t exactly stand out. Nor does Jackson as the apparent heir to Brady’s throne.
Brady could have passed the torch to any young, promising quarterback (Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Justin Herbert, and Joe Burrow all come to mind), but he chose Jackson.
It’s an incredible gesture of respect and admiration that further cements Jackson’s place in the AFC.
Since Jackson was drafted in 2018, he’s won league MVP, but he’s also been criticized for flailing in the postseason. Jackson’s overall playoff record is 1-3, with his most recent loss coming in 2020 against Allen’s Bills in the Divisional Round.
A run-heavy offensive approach limited Baltimore back then when the team failed to find the end zone and scored just one field goal.
After missing the playoffs in 2021, the Ravens could only watch as their AFC North rivals, the Cincinnati Bengals, clawed their way into the Super Bowl.
Next year, Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow will serve as a worthy opponent to Jackson in the division, but Jackson and the Ravens will be more prepared this time around.
After all, Lamar Jackson has something neither Burrow nor any other quarterback has: Brady’s blessing.