Criticism of Lamar Jackson Working With Kids Unfair

A video surfaced of Lamar Jackson showing kids how to play defensive back and wide receiver on an asphalt basketball court.

Nothing but GREAT VIBES with Lamar Jackson yesterday 😎 @Lj_era8 pic.twitter.com/oXVET6dhzU
— Overtime (@overtime) July 12, 2021

The criticism was almost immediate ... and unfair.

Mike Florio, of Pro Football Talk, said that Jackson put himself at unnecessary risk of tearing an ACL, rupturing an Achilles tendon, or injuring an ankle. An injury to Jackson would jeopardize the Ravens' entire season.

As he closes in on a contract worth upwards of $40M per year, Lamar Jackson probably shouldn't be doing DB/WR drills on an asphalt basketball court. https://t.co/rhnYW2nKXI
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) July 12, 2021

Skip Bayless and Shannon Sharpe also discussed the potential for injuries on "Undisputed."

Shannon and I are about to react to the video of Lamar Jackson playing cornerback and receiver to demonstrate technique to kids. How dangerous was this? Now on @undisputed
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) July 13, 2021

Jackson, however, is a world-class athlete that wasn't even close to running at full speed during the drill. He is also active in the community and routinely works with children to help them get ahead in life.

So, the recent criticism of him is unwarranted.

An NFL player taking his personal time to work with children should be celebrated. It's just another lightning rod for criticism for Jackson and it's completely unfair.

Any other player, this headline would be “QB spends day in the community giving back to youth.”

🙄 🚮 Be better. https://t.co/xOyHwsrREj
— Cassie Cherigo (@cassie_cherigo) July 12, 2021

Last year, Jackson gave the Ravens and their fans a scare when a video surfaced of him falling over a jet ski in Florida. The incident happened when Jackson appeared to scramble during a beach football game and fell over over a nearby jet ski. He did not suffer any injuries and had another solid season.

The Ravens' Super Bowl hopes hinge on Jackson and the goal is to keep him healthy. However. running a few drills with some youth football players did not put him in any peril.

He should be ready for training camp and is poised to have another solid year.

Itz better to have them kidz out there having fun then playing with gunz and 💩 so next year we running it back with even more fun💜🖤
— Lamar Jackson (@Lj_era8) July 14, 2021