Lamar Jackson isnโt just the face of the Baltimore Ravens or a two-time NFL MVP; heโs a man of many dimensions. Sitting down with ESSENCE Sports host Sharรญ Nycole, the quarterback opened up about his life off the field, touching on everything from his laid-back fashion sense to his commitment to shaping a better future for his community. His styleโrooted in the effortless cool of the โ90s and family influencesโis all about comfort. โEven if I have to handle business, I try to be [as] comfortable as possible,โ Jackson shares. โWhen youโre comfortable, you can be yourself.โ
Jackson also spoke candidly about mental health, a topic often sidelined in professional sports. For him, staying true to his values has been essential to maintaining inner peace. โGetting closer to God,โ he said, reflecting on the challenges of balancing a high-stakes career with personal well-being. โI think about stuff in the bible, and [dang] we have to move this way.โ As a quarterback, Jackson takes his role as a leader seriously, prioritizing the physical and emotional health of everyone around him. Yet, despite his public persona, he confessed a preference for quiet nights at home over glitzy social eventsโproof that even the NFLโs brightest stars need their downtime.
Off the gridiron, Jacksonโs influence is equally impactful. Through his Forever Dreamers Foundation, heโs championing education and mentorship, helping young people see possibilities beyond sports. Heโs also a fierce advocate for women in sports, crediting his motherโs wisdom for shaping his appreciation of their contributions to society. Reflecting on his legacy, Jackson envisions a path defined by authenticity and communityโwith hopes to really uplift the next generation of kids who come from similar backgrounds as him. โIf youโre coming from a place like where I come from, donโt try to be like the guys around you. Donโt look up to the stuff that โlooksโ like itโs fun, because sometimes it gets you in trouble,โ he said. โItโs about sacrifice. Itโs about discipline.โ







Watch the full interview with Lamar Jackson on ESSENCE Youtube.