Home/NFL
feature-image

via Imago

feature-image

via Imago

Prayer before games, prayer after games. You see, there was always going to be a conflict between faith and business, conviction and commerce. Win, lose, or draw, doesn’t matter, as long as “We gotta give God the glory no matter what,” Ravens’ quarterback Lamar Jackson is anchored to his faith to this day. So, when a fellow young man watched his biggest career moment entailing a popular athletic-wear brand, Puma, terminate prematurely for religious reasons that were deemed ‘brand-unfriendly,’ Jackson wasn’t going to stay silent.  

Roberto Gonzalez, an internet celebrity popularly known as Fanum, recently disclosed that Puma terminated its contract with the streamer just a week after signing him because he continued to discuss his faith. In a passionate clip shared on X, Fanum explained why he couldn’t give in to the corporate whims.

“When people ask me, how’d you do it?”

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

“I say, ‘Yeah, I worked hard, but God had a lot to do with it…Without Him, I don’t know if I would have continued.” An X account wrote, “lost his Puma shoes sponsor after they told him to not mention religion because it’s not ‘brand friendly’😬” After watching the clip, Jackson, who is also a big believer in God, could not help but re-share the post, with his own caption.

“Nothing wrong with that bra #Respect one day they’ll wish they Gave God the Glory we suppose to give💯💯🙏🏾” This, coming from one of the most scrutinized QBs in the league, and someone who’s no stranger to standing alone in the pocket, it felt personal. Faith has been number one for Jackson, and his words proved that.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

AD

Remember the Broncos game from last season when Jackson played a perfect game? The Ravens QB had completed 16 of 19 passes for 280 yards, three TDs, and helped his team dominate 41-10 against Denver and its 4th-ranked scoring defense. The 28-year-old thanked god for his perfect game. “My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, that’s why we’re having so much success… week in and week out,” Jackson said at the time.

And when it comes to fighting for respect, just look at the paycheck gap. Despite winning an MVP award, leading the Ravens through roster turmoil, and staying up with the league’s top players, Lamar has earned $30 million less than Josh Allen since joining the league in 2018. Allen got his long-term deal early and decided against pushing the market. Jackson, on the other hand, had to claw his way to a deal while being his own agent, losing bonuses, and getting lowballed on guarantees. And just when you think it couldn’t get any messier, it did.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

According to a 61-page explosive NFL collusion ruling, negotiations with Baltimore stalled in part. Jackson wasn’t just haggling over numbers. He wanted the whole contract guaranteed. Now, this was 2022. After the season, when the Ravens offered two short-term, fully guaranteed proposals, he rejected them and asked for a trade instead. When DeCosta asked for a list of teams, Jackson gave him radio silence.

What’s your perspective on:

Does Lamar Jackson deserve a bigger paycheck than Josh Allen given his MVP credentials?

Have an interesting take?

Eventually, just before the 2023 NFL Draft, DeCosta sent over a new offer, which Jackson finally accepted. Here we are: 2025, it’s the offseason, and Jackson is already back in extension talks with the Ravens. The current deal runs through 2027, but Baltimore wants to secure a head start in the rising quarterback market. He currently sits 10th on the annual QB pay chart. And while Patrick Mahomes and Allen took team-friendly extensions, they already cashed in early. Jackson didn’t. If there’s ever a time for him to go full throttle and ask for $60M+ a year, this is it.

ADVERTISEMENT

Does Lamar Jackson deserve a bigger paycheck than Josh Allen given his MVP credentials?

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT