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A22 SPORTS
Saturday 14 december 2019
Ravens

Continued from Page 17 Cardinals. Never mind that
he won the Heisman Trophy
For the third time this sea- as a sophomore.
son, Jackson threw five Now, that’s not to imply
touchdown passes in a Polian and others were
game, giving him team-re- blinded by racism in their
cord tying 33 on the season assessment of Jackson.
with just six interceptions. Certainly, scouts and gen-
His snarky assessment after eral managers have badly
that first five-TD game still misjudged quarterbacks —
applies today: “Not bad for white and black— over the
a running back.” years.
That, of course, was a not- Joe Montana was a third-
so-subtle jab at those who round pick who went on
believed Jackson would to capture four Super Bowl
never pan out as an NFL titles. Tom Brady lasted until
quarterback, most famous- the sixth round of the draft,
ly voiced by former NFL and all he’s done is win a
executive Bill Polian, who record six rings.
said leading up to the 2018 But there is one big dif-
draft that Jackson was bet- ference between Jack- Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is introduced onto the field prior to an NFL football
ter suited to play receiver. son and those underrated game against the New York Jets, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019, in Baltimore.
Others tabbed him as a fu- quarterbacks who came Associated Press
ture running back. before him. first round, No. 32 overall. “I’m enjoying it,” Jackson ing in the playoffs. This year,
“Exceptional athlete, ex- No one was calling on While the Ravens certainly said. “I love the game. I’ve Kyler Murray was the No. 1
ceptional ability to make Montana or Brady to switch deserve credit for trad- got a great group of guys overall pick and became
you miss, exceptional ac- positions. They weren’t ing up to get him, let’s not and coaching staff with one of 10 African-Ameri-
celeration, exceptional subjected to that most re- forget they already had me. I couldn’t wish to be cans to start regularly for
instinct with the ball in his liable of racist tropes: the made another pick in the anywhere else.” their teams.
hand and that’s rare for black quarterback who is opening round, selecting Let’s be clear: Times have For sure, the racial stereo-
wide receivers,” Polian only successful because tight end Hayden Hurst at certainly changed since type is on life support.
said. “Clearly, clearly not of his superior athletic skills, No. 25. NFL teams essentially re- It’s past time to finish it off.
the thrower that the other while white quarterbacks Hurst has made just four fused to let a black man Jackson is certainly doing
(top quarterback pros- are lauded for their mental starts his first two years in hold down the most promi- his part. In addition to his
pects) are. The accuracy ability and work ethic. the league. nent spot on the field. stellar passing night against
isn’t there.” Jackson undoubtedly Jackson is already the face In all likelihood, Jackson will the Jets, he broke Michael
Never mind that Jackson faced that perception of the franchise — and, become the third African- Vick’s record for rushing
threw for more than 9,000 when he entered the draft one could argue, the en- American quarterback to yards in a season by a
yards during his three years after his junior season at tire league. After blowing win the MVP award in the quarterback with 1,103.
at Louisville, with 69 touch- Louisville. through the Jets, he hung past five years, following That led to a marvelous on-
downs and only 27 inter- Four quarterbacks — all of around afterward to sign Cam Newton and Patrick field interview with Fox af-
ceptions. Never mind that them white — went in the jerseys for three of their Mahomes. Last season, ter the game, as Jackson
he ran for more than 4,000 first 10 picks. Jackson lasted players, the ultimate sign of there were a record five stood alongside teammate
yards and 50 TDs with the until the very last pick of the respect from an opponent. black quarterbacks start- Mark Ingram.q

Cardinals release veteran linebacker Terrell Suggs

By DAVID BRANDT off contention. “There was disappoint-
AP Sports Writer ment that we didn’t win more games,”
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — The Arizona Cardinals Kingsbury said Friday.
have released veteran linebacker Terrell “As the season’s gone on, out of playoff
Suggs with three games remaining in a dis- contention, we wanted to see what we
appointing season for both the player and have with some younger players.
the team. We felt like it was the best move for both
The 37-year-old Suggs had some good parties.”
moments for the Cardinals early in the The 6-foot-3, 265-pound Suggs is a seven-
year but his production diminished in re- time Pro Bowl selection and two-time All-
cent weeks. He’s played in all 13 games Pro.
and has 35 tackles, including eight for a “We have such great respect for him,”
loss and 5 1/2 sacks. Kingsbury said.
Suggs, who played in high school in the “He was phenomenal in our building, work
Phoenix area and in college at Arizona ethic, energy, the juice he brought every
State, signed with the Cardinals during the day, the professionalism was through the
offseason after playing 16 seasons with the roof. We wanted to give him the opportu-
Baltimore Ravens. nity to find a fit if it’s out there.
The Cardinals have lost six straight games ”Kingsbury said the team wants to use
and have a 3-9-1 record. some younger linebackers in the final three
Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury said the games, including Haason Reddick, who
In this Dec. 1, 2019, file photo, Arizona Cardinals outside decision to release Suggs was mutual moved from inside to outside linebacker,
linebacker Terrell Suggs (56) lines up against the Los Angeles
Rams during the first half of an NFL football game in Glendale, between the player and organization where Suggs played.
Ariz. and the Cardinals wanted him to have a The Cardinals host the Cleveland Browns
Associated Press chance to land with a team that’s in play- on Sunday.q