Oh, Karen.
On Tuesday, the Ravens’ offensive linemen arrived at the team facility only to be greeted by brand-new Rolexes at their lockers. They were gifts from quarterback Lamar Jackson, the MVP favorite who’s taken the third-fewest sacks in the NFL this season among signal callers who’ve appeared in all 15 games.
You know @Lj_era8 had to hook the O-line up 🥶
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) December 24, 2019
Via @megatronnie pic.twitter.com/D0NUzAYrVS
It was a gesture of appreciation for a group that’s graded out as one of the best offensive lines in the league this year, but not everyone was pleased with the gifts. Karen Price, an apparent reader of the Baltimore Sun, penned a letter to the editor of the publication criticizing Jackson.
“So disappointing that in an age where professional athletes are making an insane amount of money he couldn’t have donated to charities — and done it in the name of his offensive line — then treated his teammates to dinner,” Price wrote.
“Those players can all afford their own Rolexes, so it is very discouraging that someone didn’t give him a little guidance. It just flaunts the amount of money they make and don’t know what to do with. Sorry, Lamar, I am not such a big fan now.”
That didn’t go over well with the masses, who quickly defended the Ravens quarterback for his gesture.
WE GOT A HOT ONE HERE!!! Karen is Furiousssss that Lamar Jackson gave his wealthy coworkers a Rolex watch instead of donating to charity. That is something. Karen is probably tons of fun at parties. pic.twitter.com/6MT7U6WmHn
— Barstool Are Dee Tee (@editti22) December 27, 2019
.@baltimoresun... this “article” by Karen Price about Lamar Jackson ain’t it. Can’t believe y’all even published this trash.
— 🦹🏻♂️ (@outstndnbrandon) December 27, 2019
To judge him for taking care of the guys that take care of him?
“Sorry, Lamar, I’m not such a big fan now.”
Well then you never were. ✌️#RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/MPkeY2dk58
I hate people who try to tell celebrities/athletes how to spend their money. Lamar Jackson shows his appreciation by gifting his O-Line luxury watches and now he’s “misguided.” GTFOH! Lamar HAS donated to charities, he’s as humble as they come, and it’s HIS money, Karen! 😒 pic.twitter.com/4vdIRdHbuB
— Da Kid Gowie (@DaKidGowie) December 27, 2019
Another reader, this one by the name of Frank Sayegh, submitted a letter in response to Price.
“Where was your outrage when former Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco bought virtual reality systems for his whole offensive line for Christmas? Get out of here with the racist fake outrage just to have something to be mad about,” Sayegh wrote.
This wasn't the first time a questionable letter to the editor about an NFL quarterback was universally slammed. In 2016, multiple readers wrote to the Charlotte Observer to complain about Cam Newton being lauded for celebrating the birth of his child despite being unmarried. Those came one week after a disgruntled Titans fan submitted a letter criticizing his touchdown celebration for, "The chest puffs. The pelvic thrusts. The arrogant struts."
Jackson has contributed to several charitable causes since joining the NFL ranks, including attending a benefit Halloween party for the Bradley & Nikki Bozeman Foundation—a group founded by one of Jackson’s Ravens teammates that works to combat childhood bullying—and donating $25,000 to Blessings in a Backpack, a nonprofit that helps feed at-risk kids.
It might be a good idea to reconsider your stance before writing another letter, Karen.
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