The Art of Betting on Yourself: Starring Lamar Jackson
Former University of Duke Men’s basketball player Dick Devenzio once said “If you’re going to be your biggest critic, you also have to be your biggest fan.”. A cliche quote that is easy to murmer as you contemplate your next moves in life, but very few people put this quote into action. Often times, us as individuals equate being your own “biggest fan” with simply giving yourself positive reassurance during times of distress. Now lets not misconstrue things, that act of positive reassurance is essential in becoming the best version of yourself, but more important than that is self-actualization and legitimate actions that will put yourself in an opportunity to be successful. What prevents many of us from putting ourselves in these opportunities to be successful is the “unknown” or the variable that we have no control over and cannot see. But it isn’t until we truly throw ourselves into that void of the unknown when we become the version of ourself we were meant to be, let’s look at Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson for example.
“If you’re going to be your biggest critic, you also have to be your biggest fan”
- Dick Devenzio
An NFL MVP (2019), first team All-Pro selection (2019), 2x Pro Bowler (2019, 2021), single season rushing yard record by a quarterback (1,206yds in 2019), and most games with a perfect passer rating in the same season (2 in 2019) (we could write an entire blog JUST on his accomplishments alone but let’s stop here), Lamar Jackson has a credentialed resume and superb accolades that unquestionably make him one of the best players in the NFL. However, Jackson and Baltimore management could not come to an agreement this past offseason on a contract extension where Jackson wanted a fully guaranteed $230 million but management was not willing to commit that much financially to their quarterback. And I completely understand the concerns that Baltimore management would have in committing that much financially to a quarterback that relies heavily on their ability to scramble for success (let’s not mention though how every team now is looking for a scrambling quarterback but that’s another blog for another day) and has missed multiple games in each of the past two seasons. As fair as the hesitation might be on management’s end, Lamar is still left in a position where he can either sign the proposed extension offer ($180 million guaranteed) or decline because it does not align with what he feels his worth is.
Declining the extension offer and going into the void of the unknown of what the season may hold may have appeared daunting to Jackson. Just for a visual representation, let’s take a look at the two biggest concerns and unknown variables Jackson faced going into this season not being protected by a multi year extension.
Major injury causing him to miss an extended period of time
Poor play over the course of the season that leads to management lowering their previous offer of $180 million
Jackson, well aware of these scenarios, had more confidence in himself and the work he has put in over the course of offseason than the power of the unknown and his play speaks for itself. As of October 13th, Jackson has the third highest MVP odds, third in passing touchdowns, and is 9th in the league in rushing as a quarterback. His evolution as a thrower is evident and his impact on winning is apparent as Baltimore is poised to be a legitimate contender in the AFC if the first quarter of the season is any indication. Jackson knew what the odds were going into this season, but he prepared himself to go into void.
It is no question (in my humble opinion) that the extra pressure of diving into the void of the unknown has helped Jackson elevate his level of play, and now everyone is seeing the benefits of what can happen when you actualize self reassurance and physically put yourself in necessary opportunities to grow. For anyone reading this that may be second guessing their worth or may not know their true potential, allow this post to be your gentle reminder that the void of the unknown does not exist, the void of the unknown is not real, we are simply stepping into the success and blessings that God always had planned for us.
“For faith is confidence in the evidence of the things not seen.”
-Hebrews 11:1
