Lamar Jackson’s first career reception wins ESPY for Best Play of the Year

The first two targets of Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson’s career came in his rookie year back in 2018 before he became a full-time starter midway through it. They both came on throws from former franchise signal caller Joe Flacco and neither were completed.

Six years later, his third career target and first reception came from and was wound up going to himself and resulted in one of his best from the 2023 season.

It occurred in the AFC Championship when Kansas City Chiefs’ safety Justin Reid tipped one of Jackson’s pass attempts into the air like a volleyball. Before another defender could haul it in for an interception, he hauled it himself then proceeded to run after the clutch catch for a 13-yard gain and a first down.

On Thursday night at the 2024 ESPY Awards, the incredible play that personified just how capable Jackson is of being able to do it all won the honor of “Best Play” not just from last year’s NFL season but across all sports seasons from this past year.

The other plays up for the award included Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards’ vicious posterizing dunk, University of Alabama football’s Hail Mary on fourth-and-goal from the 31-yard line in last year’s Iron Bowl, and University of Oklahoma softball standout Jayda Coleman’s walk-off home run that sent the Sooners to the finals of the Women’s College World Series.

Had Jackson not been shoe-string tackled from behind by Chiefs linebacker Dru Tranquil, he very well would’ve been off to the races and the award-winning play might’ve resulted in a game-tying and potentially an outcome-changing scoring play for an 82-yard touchdown.

As impressive of a heads-up play as his completion to himself was, Jackson had far more awe-inspiring plays when he escaped seemingly dead-to-right sacks to extend his time to throw and complete passes to his teammates down the field. Two of the top examples that come to mind are his 30-yard touchdown to wide receiver Zay Flowers earlier in the AFC title game for their first points of the day and his 26-yard completion to tight end Isaiah Likely in a Week 15 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.

While his acceptance speech was brief and to the point, Jackson expressed his gratitude and shouted out the most important people and biggest influences in his life.

“First and foremost, I want to thank God,” Jackson said. “I wasn’t expecting this man but I appreciate you guys, appreciate my teammates, my coaching staff [and] my beautiful mother right here in the front.”

Jackson was dressed to impress and fit right in alongside his fellow superstars and sports legends as he was sporting a slick all-black suit as well as very expensive jewelry around his neck, wrist and hand.

Jackson met up and took pictures with several star athletes including tennis legend Serena Williams and another former league MVP in free agent quarterback Cam Newton who recently conceded to Jackson being the best dual-threat player at their position ever to play the game.