Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson took an unexpected detour this offseason, stepping off the gridiron and onto a television set. Known for his electrifying plays and dual MVP accolades, Jackson added a bold new entry to his résumé—acting.On May 9, Jackson made his on-screen debut in Power Book III: Raising Kanan, a gritty crime drama that’s earned acclaim on Starz. But this wasn’t just a casual cameo. Jackson fully embraced a chilling role as E-Tone, a no-nonsense hitman and associate of Unique, portrayed by rapper-turned-actor Joey Bada$$. In one gripping scene, E-Tone ruthlessly guns down a man in a bathroom stall with chilling calm. In another, he casually shrugs off the murder, exchanging lines with Unique like a hardened professional. It was a bold first step for someone who’s never set foot on a television set before.
Lamar Jackson takes on Hollywood: His acting debut left him with unexpected takeaways and respect
What’s even more intriguing is how this opportunity came to life. As Jackson shared during the Ravens’ mandatory minicamp, it all began with a playful social media interaction. “Shout-out to Sascha—that’s the producer,” Jackson said, crediting Sascha Penn, the show’s executive producer and creator. “I tweeted about it. I was like, ‘Man, Raising Kanan lit’ or whatever. He posted about it and I commented on his Instagram post—I’m like, ‘Don’t kill me off. I actually want to be in the show.’”That lighthearted comment quickly evolved into a full-blown role. The filming took place in New York last summer, shortly after Jackson wrapped up his football season. And while he looked natural on screen, the Ravens star admitted he was surprised by the grueling process of shooting a single scene.“I had a lot of fun with it,” Jackson said. “And a lot goes into that. Shout out to all the actors and actresses because man. All day. For one scene.”He even clarified his excitement about the “shooting”—laughing as he meant filming, not the criminal acts his character committed.Despite the solid debut and positive reception, Jackson made it clear he’s not planning to trade touchdowns for takes anytime soon. His focus remains firmly on football. Still, at just 28, he’s clearly planting the seeds for what could be a promising second act in Hollywood down the road.For now, fans can relish the surprise twist in Jackson’s career, and maybe even look forward to more of E-Tone in the coming seasons—assuming he doesn’t get “killed off” too soon. One thing’s certain: Lamar Jackson is not afraid to try something new, and when he does, he goes all in.Also Read: “I still didn’t win”: Josh Allen calls MVP award worthless—says it means nothing without a ring
