Ronnie Stanley praises Lamar Jackson for being his authentic self in message to Ravens QB
Ronnie Stanley praises Lamar Jackson for being his authentic self in message to Ravens QB Baltimore offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley praised Lamar Jackson for his leadership and called the Ravens QB the most authentic person he's ever met
Ronnie Stanley turned down more money to return to Baltimore on a two-year deal, and quarterback Lamar Jackson was a major reason why. The talented offensive tackle has been linked with Jackson since 2018, and their bond covers more than just football.
Stanley wrote a heartfelt piece on "perseverance" and "powering through" for The Players Tribune, and delivered a heartfelt message on his MVP quarterback, calling Jackson the "most authentic person" he's ever met.
There were other guys who had my back, too. But 8 always had my back. I've never met a more authentic person in the NFL. He's the face of the franchise and has all the pressure in the world on his shoulders. He's got every incentive to just be a Company Man, and instead he comes in every day like his genuine self. Not trying to fit any mold, an elite competitor with that childlike joy for the game. I love it.
Stanley played the entire 2024 regular season, answering some questions about his durability. He also has the high-end tape to get paid. In 2024, Stanley tied for 11th among offensive tackles with a 92.5% pass-block win rate.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
42 minutes ago
- Yahoo
"I've never seen a man take something so personal" - Magic Johnson on what pushed Michael Jordan's buttons during famous Dream Team practice
"I've never seen a man take something so personal" - Magic Johnson on what pushed Michael Jordan's buttons during famous Dream Team practice originally appeared on Basketball Network. Before the gold medals, before Barcelona, before they stepped onto the Olympic floor as giants among men, the real drama happened in a closed gym. Advertisement The greatest collection of basketball talent the world had ever seen — the 1992 Dream Team — was about global dominance. It was about hierarchy. Pride. Power. And, on one unforgettable day, the winds shifted. Inside that high-stakes practice, East versus West, legends squared off. Magic Johnson, still the voice of the league, led one side. On the other stood Michael Jordan. Younger, hungrier, already crowned but still chasing the mountaintop. The air crackled with tension. And then it snapped. The day Jordan took it personal Magic's team came out gunning. Fast breaks. Ball movement. Confidence. They ran the floor with the kind of joy that comes before the storm. As their lead swelled, he turned to the one man he knew wouldn't let it slide. Advertisement He poked the bear. "I've never seen a man take something so personal and then go out there and take that scrimmage over," Johnson said, on what prompted Jordan's competitiveness to stir. "It was amazing to see him come out and just dominate. And I'm just talking about dominate the best in the game." That was the moment. Not a game-winner. Not a Finals performance. A scrimmage, closed off from the world, with no cameras and no crowds. But that was where the line was drawn. Jordan flipped a switch, he detonated. Possession after possession, he took over. Jumper, layup, steal, dunk. Yes, it wasn't the points that stunned the gym, but the silence afterward felt louder. Even the trash talkers fell quiet. The mood shifted. Advertisement Everyone in that gym could feel it. The old kings had just been dethroned. Jordan wasn't chasing Magic or Bird anymore. He wasn't trying to prove he belonged in their orbit. At the time, he was already a two-time NBA champion with six straight scoring titles and three MVP awards. But that moment in Monte Carlo was about a message. He didn't ask for the throne. He walked in and took it. The mood back at the hotel was lighter, but the message still hung heavy. Jordan didn't let it fade. He walked up to Bird and Magic with that familiar smirk — half-serious, half-serrated — and dropped the line that would echo through basketball history. Advertisement Related: "Dad, you at 17, me at 17, who was better? I said, 'Listen, son...'" - Dominique Wilkins on the moment he realized his son didn't know how great of a player he was There's a new sheriff in town That wasn't bravado. That was the final seal. A verbal stamp on a symbolic passing of power. Magic felt it immediately. "When we knew that the torch was been passed from myself and Larry unto Michael," Johnson said. For Bird, who had led the Celtics to three titles and won three MVP awards while redefining what forward play looked like, the transition was clear. He ruled the '80s alongside Johnson, their rivalry the lifeblood of the NBA's rebirth. But Jordan wasn't cut from their cloth. He was something else entirely. He was cut sharper. Advertisement Magic had owned the Showtime Los Angeles Lakers. Five titles, three MVP awards and a smile that could melt a defense. But even he could admit: Jordan was inevitable. That Dream Team would steamroll through the Olympics with an 8-0 record and a gold medal that never felt in doubt. But the real legacy wasn't what they did to Croatia. It was what happened behind the curtain. That Monte Carlo scrimmage was the changing of the guard when basketball's past handed the keys to its future. Jordan didn't ask for permission. He made his case on the court, in a room full of legends. Then he looked the legends in the eye and told them what time it was. Advertisement And they believed him. Related: "It was easy, beautiful basketball" - The moment Spencer Haywood realized what a genius Magic Johnson was This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jun 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
One Pittsburgh Steelers Opponent 'Can't Wait' to Face Aaron Rodgers Next Season
One Pittsburgh Steelers Opponent 'Can't Wait' to Face Aaron Rodgers Next Season originally appeared on Athlon Sports. A former pupil of new Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is especially excited about their matchup next season. Advertisement The Week 8 matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Green Bay Packers is already on the mind of Jordan Love. Love sat behind Rodgers on the Packers' bench for three seasons before taking over as the starter when Rodgers departed Green Bay for New York ahead of the 2023 campaign. 'It's going to be fun. It's going to be awesome. I'm excited for it,' Love told Jason Wilde of 'I can't wait to be on different sides, meeting up, and I know we'll talk pre-game, things like that. And hopefully we can exchange jerseys after.' Love sat on the bench watching, *ahem* learning, from Rodgers after being selected in the first round in 2020 by the Packers. He had a front-row seat for two of Rodgers' MVP seasons in 2020 and 2021. Advertisement 'I appreciate definitely the way A-Rod handled being in that situation, and I think a big part of it — which he told me — was he knew how it was for him being in that same position, and the things that he went through and the way the situation might've been handled [differently],' Love said. 'I think his perspective was, 'I'm trying to go about this a little bit differently,' which I think was awesome. In my time with A-Rod, we had a great relationship. It was awesome being in the same room with him, being able to learn. "He was amazing with everything. And I definitely appreciate the way he handled everything on the outside with obviously him leaving and me taking over, and he's been very supportive of me [since]. It definitely helped with some of the negativity that might've come with that. But A-Rod handled it like a pro and did very right by me.' Related: Aaron Rodgers Contract Dubbed 'Major Bargain' for Steelers Related: Three Wideout Possibilities for Steelers' New QB Aaron Rodgers This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 10, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
A trade proposal that brings tight end Mark Andrews to the D.C. would continue the Washington Commanders' "all-in" approach to this offseason.
A trade proposal that brings tight end Mark Andrews to the D.C. would continue the Washington Commanders' "all-in" approach to this offseason. originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Washington Commanders have already made a point that they are targeting proven offensive talent to build around breakout star Jayden Daniels to get as close as possible to a "win-now" window. Advertisement Acquiring All-Pros in left tackle Laremy Tunsil and receiver Deebo Samuel sures up gaps in crucial positions, but there remains one question mark that could make Washington's offense one of the best in the league: a tight end. Zach Ertz is a solid contributor, but he is going to turn 35 this season and may not be looked at as a long-term answer within the offense. Writer James Dudko of believes the Commanders should pursue a trade with the Baltimore Ravens to land a star tight end in Mark Andrews. Andrews, a former 1st Team All-Pro selection, could pair with Samuel and Terry McLaurin to create a lethal pass game that Daniels could easily thrive in. Advertisement "[Andrews would] join a depth chart already brimming with numbers, but there's still room for a clutch chain-mover and prolific playmaker in the red zone," Dudko said. The Ravens may already have a replacement waiting in the wings in young tight end Isaiah Likely, so with Andrews on an expiring contract, Baltimore could move on from their seven-year vet at the right price. In this deal, a third-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft could be a worthy offer. Andrews ranks as a top-5 tight end in the NFL when healthy and has proven that he is capable of being a security blanket within a group loaded with talent. Advertisement Upon signing a contract extension, McLaurin will complement Samuel by being an all-around receiving target. Samuel's dual-threat capabilities are as versatile as they come and Daniels' extraordinary rushing ability can get him out of trouble with ease. This all could allow Andrews to find space in intermediate routes through the middle of the field and fortify a diverse offense for coordinator Kliff Kingsbury. Andrews may just now be hitting the peak of his career at 29 years old, so with Baltimore's decision looming between choosing him or Likely this offseason, they could decide to get ahead of things and deal the veteran to Washington for draft compensation. Last year, Andrews caught a career-best 11 touchdowns, while also converting 39 of his 55 grabs into first downs, according to Pro Football Reference. Those numbers are a young quarterbacks best friend and allow for a fit in any offense, let alone one as dynamic as the Commanders' already is. Advertisement More star power, like Andrews, on offense opens Washington's Super Bowl window wide open for the next few years. Related: Commanders' Zach Ertz Shockingly Disrespected In Tight End Rankings Related: Terry McLaurin Named in 6 'Can't Refuse' Trade Proposals This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 10, 2025, where it first appeared.
