Players in the NFL show their physicality on the field during every game. Big hits are a part of football that fans love to watch. However, it’s when hits are late and illegal that causes the most concern for players on the receiving end of them.
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is no stranger to late hits. Last Sunday in a Week 4 matchup against the Denver Broncos, Jackson took a hit to the backside from Denver defensive lineman Mike Purcell after a touchdown throw to Marquise “Hollywood” Brown in the second quarter.
The late hit for which Lamar Jackson wanted a flag. pic.twitter.com/jzgXeK6RQj
— Sarah Ellison (@sgellison) October 4, 2021
It’s apparent from the video that a penalty for roughing the passer should have been called on Purcell.
On Thursday, Jackson spoke to the media about his perspective on league officials protecting not just himself, but all quarterbacks in the NFL.
“... I just feel like we should be protected – all quarterbacks in the league, not just myself. Everyone should be included in that. Especially while we’re in the pocket, our leg area and stuff like that. That’s it, man. But football is football. Guys get aggressive sometimes and stuff happens. They probably don’t mean it, but I would like the ref to throw the flag, though, if they catch it.”
This is not the first time that a no-call has taken place on Jackson. In Baltimore’s AFC Divisional Round matchup against the Tennessee Titans during the 2019-2020 postseason, Jackson took an elbow to the head from Tennessee defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons after the quarterback was already on the ground.
Taking late hits and not having them called is something that Lamar Jackson is unfortunately used to
This no-call is another perfect example of what Jackson has had to put up with pic.twitter.com/7aoFEM9Ohq
— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) October 4, 2021
The last time a roughing the passer penalty was called in favor of Jackson was in December of 2019, some 600 drop backs ago. It seems very unlikely that there have been no penalties of that nature on the former league-MVP.
Jackson’s quote showed that this is not just about him, but that he wants all quarterbacks around the league to be protected from such malicious hits. The fourth-year man has seen his fair share of no calls and appears to be tired of them.