Ravens' Lamar Jackson vehemently rejects suggestion he's anti-gay: 'Defamation of my character'

Baltimore Ravens star Lamar Jackson took issue with the characterization of an expletive-filled tweet he sent to applaud a critic on social media following Sunday’s loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Jackson fired back at the critic who said the Ravens should let the quarterback go to free agency instead of signing him to a lucrative long-term deal.

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Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is pictured during the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on November 27, 2022 at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Florida.
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“Boy STFU y’all are into this app way too much never smelt a football field never s—but ate dk,” he wrote before finally deleting it.

The tweet was described as including an “anti-gay phrase” in an ESPN report on the exchange. The 2018 NFL MVP had words for the reporter, Jamison Hensley, who penned the story.

“This is defamation of my character because I have never once mentioned or disrespected anyone’s sexuality, sexual orientation, gender, religion or race. You are reaching…” Jackson tweeted Monday.

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Ravens coach John Harbaugh was asked about Jackson’s tweets during his media availability Monday.

“I talked to him. I heard about it last night, I talked to him this morning,” Harbaugh said. “I talked to him on the plane too, a little bit, but that was about other things and things about the game. I talk to these guys… We talked a lot about football, but we also talked about it a little bit.” stuff, too, what happens in terms of the media and everything. Really, you just beg guys not to go into the world of Twitter right after the game, especially after a loss. It will never be positive. It’s not going to be a nice place.”

Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh watches the fourth quarter against the Buffalo Bills on October 2, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland.
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“That is reflected in Lamar’s response, because what he said was so out of character for him; that’s not the way he talks, that’s not the way he talks, that’s not the words he ever uses. Never I’ve heard him say things like that before, but like you said, he wants to win. I’m sure he’s frustrated, as we all are, and that’s a place you don’t want to live right after a game. I know he understands that. Lamar Jackson you’ve been close to him he has one of the biggest hearts I know everyone has seen him the way he treats people the way he treats kids the way he treats He’s also one of the biggest competitors I’ve ever met, so he takes those kinds of conversations very seriously. So sometimes you get caught by someone who’s annoying you a little bit, and you can’t live there. It’s not important. I see you shake your head and you’re right. That’s something I love about him, but I don’t think it’s a place where that he wants to be [and] Those certainly aren’t things I want to say.”