Lamar Jackson Hated Zay Flowers' First Touchdown Celebration vs. Chargers
Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson was less than enthused about Zay Flowers' touchdown celebration in the second quarter during Sunday's 20-10 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers.
After catching a three-yard pass from his star quarterback, the rookie tried to organize a bouquet toss and found himself with very little support. A confused teammate, offensive guard John Simpson, caught the faux flowers. Clearly uncertain what to do with the ball, Simpson handed it to wide receiver Rashod Bateman, who dropped to one knee.
"I hope [my wife] ain't mad," Simpson quipped after the game. "My dad texted me and was like, 'Yeah, you didn't know what was going on, did you?' I was like, 'Nope, I had no idea.'"
Cameras caught Jackson looking at Flowers skeptically while the 23-year-old described the thought process behind the celebration on the bench (if nothing else, a bouquet of flowers from a teammate named Flowers is something of a pun).
Lamar Jackson's reaction to Zay Flowers' TD celebration pic.twitter.com/BBGdwNYOcB — Sunday Night Football on NBC November 27, 2023"The first celebration was horrible," Jackson told reporters after the game. "I told him. I didn't know what was going on, I was just standing there like, 'All right, come along with it.' I seen what happened, I was like, 'That was ass.' ... That was the worst celebration I've ever seen."
Zay Flowers of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on November 26, 2023, in Inglewood, California. Flowers had one of the more creative touchdown celebrations of the year. Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Fortunately for Flowers (and Jackson), the running back got another crack at a celebration later in the game. This time, after a 37-yard run that clinched the victory for the Ravens, Flowers delivered a perfect imitation of a penalty kick past "goalkeeper" Odell Beckham Jr., followed by Cristiano Ronaldo's famous "Siuuu" celebration. Play-by-play announcer Mike Tirico gave the moment a nice punch-up with an improvised (and perfectly timed) "Gooollll!" call.
Here's a look.
Epic penalty kick celebration from Flowers in the Ravens game and loved the improv GOLLLLLLL from Mike Tiricopic.twitter.com/msLJMUMUuN — Stu Holden November 27, 2023
According to Flowers, he and Beckham Jr. prepared the penalty kick for the Ravens' game in London, where soccer reigns supreme. Flowers kept the celebration in his back pocket for future use.
Jackson described the penalty as "nice." He was also impressed by Flowers' game overall, noting that the Ravens ran the same play three times in a row for Flowers down the stretch.
"How I would describe the impact he has had is, 'Right on time,'" Jackson told reporters. "Every time he did something, it was right on time. Perfect situations when he scored, made the touchdown catch, and that run like I said. He needs to keep doing it. Keep getting the ball in his hands[...]We've got to get everybody involved, because when [the Ravens' receivers] catch the ball, they are magic."
Flowers, who became the first rookie in Ravens history to catch and run for a touchdown in the same game, caught five passes for 25 yards, in addition to his 37-yard run. Jackson was 18-for-32 as a passer with 177 yards. He also rushed 11 times for 39 yards.
With the win, the Ravens improved to 9-3. That gives them the best record in the NFC, half a game above the Kansas City Chiefs, Miami Dolphins and Jacksonville Jaguars. The Ravens take on the Rams next week before a looming showdown against the Jaguars on December 17.
At 4-7, the Chargers are 13th in the AFC and clinging to faint hopes of a wildcard appearance.
