Ravens WR Zay Flowers Welcomes New Nickname From QB Lamar Jackson

Capable of posting stats and moves that wouldn't be out of place on a PlayStation or Xbox, Baltimore Ravens rookie playmaker has an appropriate nickname courtesy of his new quarterback.

With a surname like Flowers, half the work is already done if you're coming up with a nickname for one of the Baltimore Ravens' newest, potential-packed playmaker. 

But Lamar Jackson made sure that Zay Flowers' new moniker was well-earned rather than phonetically bestowed.

With the Ravens officially gathered for training camp in Owings Mills, the Charm City quarterback showcased his creative chops, revealing that no one in the Baltimore facility should be referring to the first-round arrival from Boston College by his legal name. 

“His new name is Joystick because how (he'll) be moving out there so swift and making stuff happen,” Jackson said. “We’re going to call him Joystick, not Zay.”

Flowers has certainly showcased talents and skills worthy of the Next Gen consoles. He became BC's most prolific receiver with final tallies of 3,056 yards on 200 receptions, 29 of which went for touchdowns. All that and more made it a no-brainer for the Ravens to take Flowers with the 22nd overall pick of April's draft. The team believes his athleticism will match well in a receivers room that also brings in veteran Odell Beckham Jr. and welcomes back Rashod Bateman from injury.

In a move that would've made the rebranded Twitter proud, Flowers was reportedly seeking a name along the lines of "Professor X," but he's more than happy to label the digital distinction as his first reception from his new bird-branded quarterback, citing a familial history with it.

"It's a nickname that has run in my family," the former Boston College Eagle said. "My brother had the nickname 'Joystick.' So I guess I get to take it over now." Flowers' first opportunity to live up to his nickname comes on Aug. 12 when the Ravens open the preseason at home against the defending NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles. 

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Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags

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