Mothers keep the world going 'round. They are there for the best and worst moments, showing compassion and support throughout the emotional rollercoaster that is life.
Simply put, moms are the best — just ask Lamar Jackson.
You remember back at the 2018 NFL Draft when a dejected Jackson sat at his draft table, watching and listening as every name but his was called in the first 31 picks of the first round of the draft? Who was there to comfort him in his time of need?
His mother.
The relationship between Raven quarterback and his mom has been well documented. The two have been inseparable dating back to his college days at Louisville, and it has continued well into his NFL career.
The bond between the two is unique. It's not just because Jackson's mother raised him and his three siblings as a single mom for the majority of his childhood, but also because of the rare relationship the two have when it comes to Jackson's NFL career.
MORE: Who has the edge in AFC championship — Lamar Jackson or Patrick Mahomes?
The Sporting News has more details on Jackson's mother and her relationship with him.
Who is Lamar Jackson's mom?
Jackson's mom is Felicia Jones.
His mother has been by Jackson's side his entire NFL career. While a majority of NFL players hire agents and managers to help run their side hustle and businesses, Jackson has kept his affairs quite literally in the family, with his mom working with him as his manager.
@whistle Lamar’s mom is the real MVP 💜 @Donald Coletta #NFL #NFLPlayoffs #Lamarjackson #baltimoreravens #ravens #NFLFootball ♬ original sound - Whistle
"She’s a huge influence on my life, just by raising four of us, my younger brother, my two sisters," Jackson said of his mother. "Just [seeing] how she [would] grind and work without complaining ... not wanting me to get a job, telling me to focus on football and she’s going to take care of everything else.
"Seeing that, I was like, 'If she can do that, I can do anything.'"
Jones' work ethic left a lasting impression on Jackson when he was a younger kid. After his father died during Lamar's childhood, his mom stepped up and raised her four kids as a single mother.
MORE: How reshaped Ravens offense gives Lamar Jackson best chance at Super Bowl
"If she could do that, I could do anything," Jackson said. "She raised four kids on her own, not asking for a handout, not reaching out to people.
"Almost (like) a superhero."
Who is Lamar Jackson's agent?
Jackson's agent situation is vastly different from the rest of the league. Unlike the majority of NFL players, Jackson has never had an agent represent him in contract discussions.
Before the 2018 NFL Draft, there was speculation that his mother was working as his agent, but Jackson cleared the air, stating that she is strictly his manager and that he has represented and negotiated himself.
"I know coming in as a rookie, an agent doesn't really negotiate anything," Jackson said to USA Today at the time. "You're going to get the salary you're going to get. I decided I don't need him. He's going to be taking a big cut out of my paycheck ... and I feel I deserve it right now."
As his manager, Jones helped him land his monster five-year contract with the Ravens last offseason. After Jackson inked his deal, he praised his mother for her support throughout the process, detailing how they "piggy-backed" off each other during the process.
"She’s my manager," Jackson said of his mom. "I feel like she was managing me really well."
Lamar Jackson parents
Jackson is the son of Lamar Jackson Sr. and Felicia Jones.
Jackson's father was instrumental in getting him into football. He was a high school coach after playing college football.
However, the elder Jackson died in 2005 from a heart attack. Lamar was 8 when his father passed away.
