Lamar Jackson, the controversial quarterback: “I set everything on fire”

It is not entirely clear why he has become the person to vent his frustration on. But it is consistent with the racist view of the quarterback position. Jackson’s speed, his skin color and the joy of life he exudes on the field are in stark contrast to the ponderous, sober style of a Tom Brady or Peyton Manning. It is particularly confusing to people close to Jackson that he is accused of being light-footed and charismatic instead of stoic and boring and of not having the all-important killer instinct. “So many things are said about Lamar Jackson that are simply unfair,” says Mark Andrews, who plays with him on the Baltimore Ravens. “It has always been like that. He has had to struggle with it his whole life. But there is no substance behind it.” Petrino has never been able to understand this dynamic either. “What always impressed me about Lamar was that even when he could hardly walk, he still played,” he says.

This negativity can be a burden. “I don’t think most people would be able to handle that,” Jackson says. There is only one way to silence the constant critical voices: “I have to prove them wrong.”

But Jackson doesn’t really have anything to prove to anyone. It’s very likely that he will go down in history as the most dynamic quarterback ever, while he can expect to earn almost half a billion dollars over the course of his career. On the other hand, Jackson has to prove to everyone. “He hasn’t won a Super Bowl yet,” said teammate Zay Flowers. “But we’re going to get one.” Another season in the spotlight will mean that Jackson will continue to be criticized. But that doesn’t bother him. “I always say that people hated Jesus,” he jokes. “I don’t want to compare myself to Jesus, but if he was hated and was still a good person and pursued his goals, why shouldn’t I be able to do the same?”

Lamar Jackson had one goal: to get into the NFL and become financially independent

Jackson grew up in Pompano Beach, a mid-sized city on Florida’s Atlantic coast, not far from Miami. After just a few words, it’s clear that Jackson is a Floridian through and through. He attended high school 30 minutes away in Boynton Beach. When we meet on a muggy day in Fort Lauderdale, he’s in a great mood. His younger brother Jamar and longtime friend Spece are nearby. As soon as we’re done, they climb into a black SUV to drive around town together. The whole time, Jackson laughs at everything and everyone. Florida is his home. It’s here that he, who seems driven on the field, finds peace.