Jadeveon Clowney has enjoyed a sumptuous campaign in his first season as a Raven, piling up sacks while serving as a vital cog to Baltimore's swarming back line.
On Saturday, he added another highlight to his wondrous collection, marauding beyond the Steelers' front to increase his sack total.
He's never had a more valuable sack than the one he recorded amid the rain. Clowney raced into the backfield before getting his mitts on Mason Rudolph on a play that was initially ruled an incomplete pass, but was eventually called a hit behind the line of scrimmage after review.
Clowney was awarded a sack for his efforts. The distinction was an important one for Clowney; it meant Clowney hit nine sacks on the season, just what he needed to earn a $750,000 incentive included on his contract.
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Clowney swirled in delight once he realized his accomplishment, dancing in the rain like a young Gene Kelly. M&T Bank Stadium reacted similarly; as fans realized just what Clowney had made as a result of his pilgrimage into Pittsburgh's pocket, they enveloped him in a warm applause.
Jadeveon Clowney celebrates after he hit his $750,000 sack bonus 💰
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) January 6, 2024
🎥: @NFL pic.twitter.com/rlvmstyWmQ
Social media was in a frenzy reacting to Clowney's artistic celebration. The moral of the story? Everyone can use a little more money. Even world-class athletes.
Clowney in the Ravens locker room after getting his bonus pic.twitter.com/Cxs7CXf7h2
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) January 6, 2024
Jadeveon Clowney celebrating his 750,000 bonus incentive with that sack pic.twitter.com/RaMuRz9KAC
— RavensFlock20 (@Bateman_Szn7) January 6, 2024
“Great sack to end the half- what motivated you to make a play like that in the clutch”
— Mac🦬 (@tha_buffalo) January 6, 2024
Jadeveon Clowney: pic.twitter.com/h9zasrJalp
Jadeveon Clowney to John Harbaugh after hitting $750K Ravens Sack Bonus: pic.twitter.com/gVF6UfMVXd
— Danny Armstrong (@DArmstrong44) January 6, 2024
Jadeveon Clowney right now
— betr (@betr) January 6, 2024
pic.twitter.com/ShLIKy3XzG
Jadeveon Clowney contract details
Clowney inked a one-year, $2.5 million contract with the Ravens ahead of the 2023 season, per Spotrac. Clowney's contract came chocked full of incentives based on the amount of time he saw the field as well as the amount of success he had on it.
He received the following bonuses if he were to hit each of these sack totals:
- Five sacks: $500,000
- Seven sacks: $1 million
- Nine sacks: $1.75 million
He also would secure additional green if he were to take part in the majority of Baltimore's defensive snaps on the year:
- 50 percent of defensive snaps: $500,000
- 60 percent of defensive snaps: $1 million
- 65 percent of defensive snaps: $1.75 million
Clowney racked up 15 starts over the course of the year, so he was already well on pace to add to his money supply. His impressive sack totals are simply the cherry on top; in total, Clowney earned upwards of $2 million in contract incentives, a hearty sum for a player only slated to receive $2.5 million guaranteed during the year.
Clowney is a business man, not a businessman. He sure showcased why on Saturday.
Jadeveon Clowney career earnings
Per Spotrac, Clowney has netted $83,057,740 over the course of his 10-year career.