Lamar Jackson says he wants to see Beyoncé perform during Ravens-Texans

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  • Jamison Hensley, ESPN staff writerDecember 23, 2024, 6:51 PM ET

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      Jamison Hensley is a reporter covering the Baltimore Ravens for ESPN. Jamison joined ESPN in 2011 and covered the AFC North before focusing exclusively on the Ravens beginning in 2013. Jamison won the National Sports Media Association Maryland Sportswriter of the Year award in 2018 and authored a book titled: Flying High: Stories of the Baltimore Ravens. He was the Ravens beat writer for the Baltimore Sun from 2000-2011.

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson doesn’t appear to be a big fan of playing for Christmas again. But let’s just say he’s “Crazy in Love” with Wednesday’s halftime show.

On Monday, Jackson said he plans to catch Beyoncé perform during halftime of the Ravens at Houston Texans game this Christmas.

“I’m going to go out there and see,” Jackson said. “(It’ll be my) first time seeing Beyoncé perform and it’s at our game — it’s crazy. I’m going to go watch. Sorry (Ravens coach John) Harbaugh, sorry. Sorry guys.”

Jackson said his favorite Beyoncé song is “To The Left,” a reference to the catchy lyric in “Irreplaceable.” The reigning NFL Most Valuable Player was asked if seeing Beyoncé would depend on Baltimore having a big lead over Houston.

“No, I’m not even thinking about starring,” Jackson said. “I was just thinking about seeing Beyoncé for the first time.”

Before Jackson spoke to reporters, Harbaugh was asked if the Ravens’ locker room was soundproofed so the players wouldn’t be distracted. Harbaugh mentioned how three years ago, Cincinnati Bengals kicker Evan McPherson was caught watching Snoop Dogg at halftime of Super Bowl LVI instead of going into the locker room.

Harbaugh then said, “There’s going to be trouble. There’s going to be big trouble.”

“I can’t say I’m a huge Beyoncé fan, but I think I like her,” Harbaugh added. “Is she doing country (music) now? Do you think some of those country songs will be in there? You’ll have to report to me on that.”

Harbaugh had forgotten how Beyoncé played at halftime of the Ravens’ last Super Bowl, and her performance was blamed by some for the power outage at Caesars Superdome.

“I remember now,” Harbaugh said with a smile.

The Ravens (10-5) clinched a playoff spot Sunday with a 34-17 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers and moved into a tie for first place with the Steelers atop the AFC North. Baltimore has a 52.9% chance to win the division, according to ESPN Analytics.

When the Ravens play the Texans on Wednesday, it will mark the second year in a row that Baltimore has played on Christmas.

“I want to celebrate at home with some time with my family. I don’t want to play Christmas all the time — not all the time,” Jackson said. “But no, it’s great. All jokes aside, it’s great. It’s a gift for everyone. They’re going to see us play and (there will be) a lot of eyes on us, and I believe a lot of people will watch us at the right time.”