No. 8

The era of athletes branding themselves continues to grow, and righfully so, as they are becoming more than an athlete, but a personality. Not like that hasn’t been the case for a while, but there are plenty of ventures to be had in the modern landscape of marketing.

Lamar Jackson continues his attempt to brand the No. 8. The Baltimore Ravens quarterback is certainly a star – multiple MVPs, All-Pros and Pro Bowls – but he is far from the most famous No. 8, not just in his sport, but in the DMV area alone.

Jackson challenged Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Troy Aikman to trademark the No. 8. On Wednesday, Jackson pulled his opposition to the usage of Aikman’s trademarks, but the issue is that perhaps Jackson should be looking for another way to brand himself rather than affiliating himself with a number worn by more established career athletes. Or at least show why he belongs in this crop, which includes Kobe Bryant, by the way.

In football alone, and at the quarterback position even, Aikman is a three-time Super Bowl champion and in the Hall of Fame. Steve Young is also a Hall of Famer and Super Bowl champ among multiple league accoldates. In fact, Trent Dilfer wore No. 8 for the Ravens and won a Super Bowl. Of course, Jackson is a considered a better quarterback than Dilfer, but currently, in DMV lore, Dilfer at least has a title.

Additionally in the DMV, let’s not forget that two players who are synonmous with their sport, not just with their teams, have played their entire careers in the area donning the No. 8, and now hold two records that were once considered unbreakable in their respective sports.

Cal Ripken Jr., the Iron Man himself, is a Hall of Famer and World Series champion with the Baltimore Orioles and holds the record for the most consecutive games played in MLB history (2,632).

Alexander Ovechkin, a Stanley Cup winner and 12-time All Star with the Washington Capitals and recepient of 21 other NHL honors, surpassed Wayne Gretzky for the most regular-season goals (897) in league history this past season.

Jackson has won three playoff games, but also has lost five with arguably one of the best teams in the NFL since he entered the NFL in 2018.

Again, this is nothing on Jackson. He is an amazing athlete. Perhaps he just needs to find another way to brand himself than using the No. 8. He does kind of look the the actor who played young Randall (Lonnie Chavis) on “This Is Us.” Maybe there’s something there.

Or maybe the DMV area will be happy with a Super Bowl win or two instead, then the conversation can resurface.