When Lamar Jackson entered the league in 2018, the immediate comparison everyone made was Michael Vick. While not a lefty like the former Falcons star, the Ravens quarterback could do damage with both his arm and his legs, just like Vick.
However, that comp has faded away as Jackson has entered into seemingly a different category of his own. The Baltimore star is likely going to be taking home his second MVP at the end of the season, and he could very well also have a Super Bowl to his name in due time.
With that said, there have been more comparisons made between Jackson and other popular figures, but it’s not because of his playing style.
Instead, fans have begun to draw parallels to a famous actor — the one, the only, Samuel L. Jackson. Thanks to a viral internet meme, the speculation of a relationship between the Pro Bowl QB and the “Pulp Fiction” and Marvel star is running rampant.
MORE: How reshaped Ravens offense gives Lamar Jackson best chance at Super Bowl
Is there a connection between the Ravens quarterback and the esteemed actor? Hold onto your butts and find out.
Is Lamar Jackson related to Samuel L. Jackson?
Despite having similar features and the same last name, Lamar and Samuel L. are not related.
The Ravens quarterback grew up in Florida in Broward County, attending high school in Boynton Beach. Meanwhile, the actor was born in Washington, D.C. and grew up in Chattanooga, Tenn.
Lamar Jackson-Samuel L. Jackson meme
While the last name is a driving factor behind the speculation of a connection between the two, the confusion can also be chalked up to a popular meme circulating on social media.
Ahead of the two conference championships, there was a post gaining tons of traction comparing the four remaining quarterbacks to celebrity lookalikes. It has Lamar Jackson compared to Samuel L. Jackson, Patrick Mahomes to actress Sara Gilbert, Brock Purdy to social media personality Anna Frey, and Jared Goff to actor Ryan Gosling.
MORE: Who has the edge in AFC championship — Lamar Jackson or Patrick Mahomes?
In Lamar’s case, it’s a young photo of Samuel L. Jackson that he is being compared to.
AFC + NFC Championship QB matchups pic.twitter.com/5HgfbBlG2r
— GhettoGronk (@TheGhettoGronk) January 22, 2024
Similarities between the two? Sure.
But is there any sort of blood relationship? Nope. The two are very prominent members in their respective fields, but that’s the only connection.
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, he died in 2005 from a heart attack.
His mother has been by Jackson’s side his entire NFL career, working with him as his manager. As his agent, she helped him land his monster five-year contract with the Ravens last offseason.
@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,” 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.'”
