Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has had his fair share of doubters and critics since entering the NFL. In fact, it’s hard to think of another star quarterback who has been put under more scrutiny in recent memory.
But perhaps no individual has criticized Jackson more than former Ravens safety Bernard Pollard. Pollard has been one of Jackson’s staunchest critics over the years, and his recent sparring with the former MVP on Twitter garnered plenty of attention.
Pollard has gone on record saying that Jackson isn’t a top-10 quarterback but it was his recent comment about “no wide receiver” wanting to play with the Ravens’ franchise QB that drew Jackson’s ire.
Jackson wasn’t the only one to dunk on Pollard, however. It’s safe to say the retired NFL safety has made his fair share of enemies for his consistent criticism of both Jackson and Ravens head coach John Harbaugh.
But one unexpected source of humor came from Ravens’ beat reporter Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic. When jokingly asked on Twitter if Pollard had a shot at making the Ravens’ Ring of Honor, Zrebiec replied that Earl Thomas “had a better chance.”
Earl Thomas has a better chance of that honor.
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) July 14, 2022
Zrebiec later clarified that his goal was not to dunk on Pollard and that he was just having a little fun. In fact, he was even complimentary of Pollard who he insisted he “enjoyed covering.”
Just to be clear, I was more having fun with the reality of the situation, not dunking on Pollard, who I really enjoyed covering. But between his criticism of Harbaugh and Lamar, I think we know where things stand.
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) July 14, 2022
Everyone is coming to Lamar Jackson’s defense after Bernard Pollard’s comments
Pollard has quickly become more known for his controversial commentary than anything he did on the field in his nine-year NFL career. As Zrebiec implied, it’s evident that he hasn’t made any friends in the Ravens organization since his departure.
A second-round pick of the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2006 NFL Draft, Pollard spent time with the Chiefs, Houston Texans, Ravens, and Tennessee Titans over the course of nearly a decade in the NFL.
The former Purdue standout started 26 games over two years with the Ravens from 2011-2012 and was part of the team’s Super Bowl XLVII winning roster.
Unfortunately, it’s safe to say that Ravens fans won’t remember him for his on-field efforts anymore. Instead, he’s become somewhat of a laughing stock — a perpetual hater who even the Ravens beat will ridicule.
That, ultimately, will be his legacy.