"I thought I caught a heart attack": Lamar Jackson once revealed the shocking moment of his life on being picked as Heisman winner
Lamar Jackson's college career was as distinguished as his ongoing NFL career. After receiving multiple offers from prestigious programs, the Baltimore Ravens quarterback opted to go to Louisville in 2015.
He left an impression in his freshman season after being named the MVP of the 2015 Music City Bowl. He had 227 passing yards with two touchdowns while also rushing for a Music City Bowl-record 226 yards and two touchdowns.
The following season, Lamar would start all games and go on to win the Heisman Trophy. He threw for 3,543 yards and 30 touchdowns on 56.2 completion rate. He also rushed for 21 touchdowns.
While appearing on The Dan Patrick Show on December 12, 2016, Lamar Jackson revealed how he felt when it was his name that came out of the envelope to announce the Heisman Trophy winner just two days before the interview.
"My heart was pounding—I thought I caught a heart attack. I was so shocked when he said my name. I was like, 'Man, no way.' You’ve got to call someone else up. You’ve got to call someone else up,'" Jackson told Patrick (0:20 onwards).
The host further asked what if fellow finalist Deshaun Watson's name was announced instead of his.
"I would have been clapping for him like I wanted it, you know? It would have probably been different for me. But to actually hear my name, I was like, 'No way,' because I wasn't thinking I was going to win this award with so many great guys. Going against them as finalists, man, I don’t know—I can’t even explain it," Jackson added.
Lamar Jackson was proud that his mom was in attendance for his Heisman speech
When Lamar Jackson was just eight, he lost his grandmother and his father on a single day. Since then, Jackson and his siblings were raised by his mother, Felicia Jones.
So when Jackson took the podium after winning the 2016 Heisman Trophy, he had kind words for his mom. Talking about the same on The Dan Patrick Show, Jackson recalled:
"I owed it all to them, and having my mom out there was a dream come true. I always wanted the spotlight on her, for people to know all the hard work she put in with me, my brother, and my sisters," Jackson said (1:24 onwards).
Felicia Jones would be proud of how her son has translated his college credentials into an already Hall of Fame-worthy NFL career. In the NFL, Lamar Jackson has earned three Pro Bowl selections, two NFL MVPs and two Bert Bell awards. The only trophy missing in his cabinet is Lombardi, which he aims to win this season.