Every once in a while, an NFL player does something so incredible and superhuman it feels like we’re watching a comic book character brought to life.
For fans of the Baltimore Ravens, this happens quite often. On Christmas Day, Lamar Jackson didn’t just deliver another one of those moments—he turned the Houston Texans into unwitting extras in his origin story.
Midway through the third quarter of Baltimore’s 31-2 rout of Houston, Jackson broke loose for a jaw-dropping 48-yard touchdown run, reaching a career-best top speed of 21.25 mph. To put that into perspective, most cars wouldn’t be allowed to drive that fast in a school zone. “I was jogging,” Jackson said after the game with a smile, “I didn’t have to do anything.” Right.
Lamar Jackson on the 48-yard TD run, where he reached the highest top speed of his career at 21.25 mph:
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) December 26, 2024
“I was jogging.” pic.twitter.com/L7M8kCqQCr
21.25 mph is blazing fast—like, almost unfairly fast. The fact that Lamar described it as “just jogging” and claimed he “didn’t have to do anything” makes you wonder: is there anything he couldn’t outrun? On that play, he absolutely dusted the Texans defenders.
There's a question worth asking here: What—or who—could possibly keep up with Lamar Jackson?
But the moment wasn’t just about speed or style—it was historic. That run put Jackson in a position to pass 6,109 career rushing yards, allowing him to break Michael Vick’s all-time rushing record for quarterbacks.
It was the ultimate mic drop for a player whose critics once questioned if he could even play quarterback at all.
Lamar Jackson definitely doesn’t double as The Flash in his spare time... right?
With his Christmas Day performance, Jackson officially stands alone as the most prolific rushing quarterback in NFL history. And he did it in just 101 career games. For context, Vick’s record took 143 games to set over the course of his 13-year career. Jackson’s new mark of 6,110 rushing yards is just the latest milestone in a career defined by making the impossible look routine.
“Michael Vick, one of my favorite players,” Jackson said postgame. “That’s just dope.”
The record-breaking run wasn’t a fluke, either—it was quintessential Lamar. Two plays after Baltimore’s defense forced a Houston turnover, Jackson kept the ball on a designed run and hit a speed that defenders simply couldn’t match.
By the time he reached the end zone, it felt like the entire Texans’ sideline was gasping for air.
Of course, Jackson wasn’t done. Later in the game, he added another touchdown pass to Mark Andrews—because why not—that capped off yet another drive showcasing his ability to extend plays and create magic through the air. For all the focus on his running ability, Jackson’s 2024 season as a passer is his best yet.
The NFL has never seen a player like Lamar Jackson. He’s a quarterback who can shatter records, rewrite narratives, and leave defenders in his wake—all while making it look effortless. His 21.25 mph is proof that his game exists in a league (comic book universe) of its own.
If Barry Allen really is "The Flash", then Lamar Jackson must be his real-life counterpart. At this point, it’s not even fair to compare him to other quarterbacks—he’s a one-of-one, and his legend is still being written.