The Lombardi’s The Thing… At Least it Should Be

It’s unavoidable. And it’s preposterous.

You cannot turn on any sports talk radio show, any national or even local NFL talking heads’ program or even click on your favorite NFL reporters on social media without hearing or seeing the press, pundits or fans handicapping the 2024 MVP “race.” It dominates the discussion at the expense of a captivating run-up to the playoffs.

There are so many great team story lines. Can the Kansas City Chiefs become the first team to win three consecutive Super Bowls? Will the lovable (and formerly punchless) Detroit Lions reach their first title game since 1957? And, for Baltimore and Buffalo fans, can either of those squads knock off K.C. and compete for the Lombardi Trophy?

But no, folks would rather debate Lamar Jackson vs. Josh Allen like it had the significance of a national political contest. And Saquon Barkley is the third-party – also known as a running back – candidate.

How did we get here? When did fans begin rooting for the individual names on the backs of uniforms as opposed to the city names on the front? 

Did it take root as free agency became prevalent in all major U.S. professional sports many decades ago?  Or was it massive gambling interests, which have turned the once-entertaining fantasy sports realm into an 18.6 billion-dollar gridiron marketplace?  

Don’t blame Lamar or the Ravens.  

• Ravens’ social media accounts have not included any campaigning for Lamar in the “MVP race”
• There do not appear to any contract incentives for Lamar if he is named Associated Press or Professional Football Writers Association Most Valuable Player. Playoff wins yes, Super Bowl MVP, yes, but not league MVP.
• Most importantly, take a look at Lamar. Any time he is asked about “MV3,” he always brushes right past the question and talks about his desire to win a championship.

There is no doubt that if Lamar hauled in a third honor, it would be a great source of pride for the organization, the fan base and No. 8’s huge worldwide following. And if he does win the vote and join the ranks of seven legends – including Johnny Unitas – as three-time winners – he is assured a spot in Canton. There is nothing wrong with any of that.

But football is a team sport. It isn’t golf or tennis or horseshoes. Lamar is the first player to credit the Ravens’ offensive linemen, skill players, the defense and special teams, coaches, trainers, nutritionists, support staff and fans for providing him all the tools he needs to reach his lofty stature. If these men and women are not also performing at a high level, Lamar would never be able to achieve these marvelous peaks.

It is interesting that this faux “race” comes down to players that wear the uniforms of blue-collar cities like Baltimore and Buffalo. True fans of the Ravens and Bills would trade 10 MVP awards bestowed upon their phenomenal quarterbacks for just one Lombardi Trophy.

Sign me up.  

And, as Columbo said, “just one more thing.” It would be wonderful, although improbable, if Lamar and Josh could spend their entire careers in purple and navy blue respectively. One of my saddest sports and perplexing memories as a 10-year old was seeing Johnny U. in a powder-blue Chargers’ uniform. Despite a heartbreaking loss to Jacksonville, Buffalo fans were fortunate that Jim Kelly played his final game at then-Rich Stadium.    

Sign me up for that, too. Happy New Year!