Lamar Jackson has apologized in advance to Ravens coach John Harbaugh – as he’ll be skipping the team’s halftime talk on Wednesday to watch Beyonce.
The pop star is performing after the second quarter during Baltimore’s Christmas Day clash against the Texans.
And after a reporter asked the quarterback on Monday whether he was disappointed to be missing her perform, he clarified that he would be remaining on the field during the break.
‘My first time seeing Beyonce perform and it’s at our game? That’s dope,’ he said. ‘Imma go out and watch. Sorry Harbaugh. Sorry fellas.’
That would represent a rare decision by a player in the age of A-list halftime shows.
As TMZ pointed out, Bengals kicker Evan McPherson remained on the field to listen to Eminem, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg and Mary J. Blige during the Super Bowl LVI halftime show (long snapper Clark Harris also remained on the field, but avoided cameras).
Lamar Jackson told reporters on Monday that he planned to watch Beyonce’s halftime show
The pop star is performing during the break of the Ravens’ clash with the Bengals on Christmas
Jackson made sure to apologize to head coach John Harbaugh in advance for the move
That decision by McPherson was a ‘sore subject,’ Bengals special teams coordinator Darrin Simmons later told The Athletic.
Of course, Jackson has earned some cachet with the Ravens as a two-time MVP winner.
The quarterback, who led his team to a playoff-clinching win over the Steelers last week, could claim the award for the third time this season, with Bills star Josh Allen viewed as his main competition.
Jackson has a whopping 37 touchdowns to just four interceptions, and he’s added 765 rushing yards as well.
Nonetheless, while Jackson said it would be ‘dope’ to win the accolade for a third time, it’s clear his focus lies elsewhere at the moment.
‘That’s never been my goal… I’m tryna win the championship man,’ he told reporters. ‘That’s my biggest goal, that’s been my goal ever since [I was] a little kid.’
Jackson made his deepest run with the Ravens last postseason, when they fell to the Chiefs in the AFC Conference Championship.
He has a 2-4 postseason record.
