SI

Lamar Jackson Bestows Perfect Nickname on Ravens Defender in Postgame Interview

The Baltimore quarterback offered up a clever moniker for defensive tackle Justin Madubuike.

Tim Capurso

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Ravens defensive tackle Justin Madubuike continued his attack on opposing offensive lines and quarterbacks during Sunday night’s 23—7 win over the Jaguars, as he registered a sack and a forced fumble while tying an NFL record in the process. 

Madubuike was so dominant in the nationally televised game that he rightfully was chosen by NBC to do a postgame interview alongside Ravens star quarterback Lamar Jackson. Jackson came up with the perfect nickname for Madubuike during the interview.

NBC’s Melissa Stark was in the process of formulating another question for Madubuike when Jackson interjected, laughing about the fact that his teammate apparently owed him money. But Jackson clearly isn’t surprised by Madubuike’s huge season, given that he referred to his Ravens teammate as “Baby Aaron Donald.”

It’s a pretty fitting nickname for Madubuike, who has recorded at least a half-sack in 11 consecutive games, a streak which is tied for the longest in NFL history. 

The Texas A&M product now has a career-high 12 sacks on the season in what’s amounting to a breakout campaign as a key cog in the Ravens defense, which ranks second in total defense and first in fewest points allowed. 

Madubuike has a ways to go to get to the level of Donald, who has won three Defensive Player of the Year awards and earned nine Pro Bowl selections.  

But the budding Ravens star certainly seems to be on the right track. 

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Tim Capurso
TIM CAPURSO

Tim Capurso is a staff writer on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. Prior to joining SI in November 2023, he wrote for RotoBaller and ClutchPoints, where he was the lead editor for MLB, college football and NFL coverage. A lifelong Yankees and Giants fan, Capurso grew up just outside New York City and now lives near Philadelphia. When he's not writing, he enjoys reading, exercising and spending time with his family, including his three-legged cat Willow, who, unfortunately, is an Eagles fan.

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