By Matthew Paras - The Washington Times - Tuesday, December 15, 2020

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson pooh-poohed the idea that he left the fourth quarter of Monday’s win over the Cleveland Browns to use the bathroom.

Jackson was seen rushing back to the locker room, where he waved off the staffer in his way to rush into the room. Though ESPN announced that the former MVP was dealing with cramps, fans watching at home assumed that “cramps” was cover for … well, you know.

But that’s not the case, Jackson said.

“I didn’t pull a Paul Pierce,” Jackson said. “I didn’t pull a Paul Pierce. I was cramping.”

What an amazing reference. For those unfamiliar, the former Boston Celtics star was carried off in a wheelchair in Game 1 of the 2008 NBA Finals with an apparent knee injury — though Pierce admitted years later that he really just had to use the bathroom, confirming years of Internet conspiracies. 

Like Pierce, however, Jackson made a dramatic return to the game. On Monday, Jackson rushed out of the locker room when backup Trace McSorley went down with a knee injury on third down. The following play, Jackson hit receiver Marquise Brown for a go-ahead touchdown with 1:51 left.

Jackson missed only one series because of his break. Despite his explanation, plenty of jokes were still made, including by teammate Robert Griffin: 

 The Ravens won 47-42. 

• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.

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