The blue tick symbol used to identify the official accounts of celebrities and public figures has been a mainstay on the social media platform of Twitter and Baltimore Ravens quarterback is among the names to have spoken out.
However this week any 'legacy verified' accounts have had their check mark removed after Twitter new CEO Elon Musk move to inject some life into the platform's revenue by promoting Twitter Blue - a subscription fee which would allow those who lost the verified icon to regain it by paying between $8 and $11 per month.
It's prompted plenty of names to have their say, with those who have used the app for some time scoffing at the notion of purchasing the premium service, including Jackson.
Realising the icon was no longer visible on his account, Jackson tweeted: “Wait we don’t have a blue check anymore? Since when?”, alongside some laughing emojis. When a Twitter user responded: “Gotta pay for it bro,” Jackson laughed: “I had it for years for free. Keep it.”
Jackson also has a few more important things to be concerned with as his contract standoff with the Baltimore Ravens rumbles on. The 2019 MVP joined the franchise in 2018 after they selected him in the first round of that year's NFL Draft.
In April 2021, the Ravens opted to trigger the fifth-year option in Jackson’s contract and secure his services for last season for just over $23 million.
Just last year Jackson is reported to have rejected a new five-year deal worth a total $250m. With the two parties still having failed to reach an agreement on prolonging his stay with the franchise, the situation intensified when Jackson requested a trade from the Ravens, claiming they are 'not interested in meeting his value.'
Several days later the Ravens placed a non-exclusive franchise tag on the player, meaning he is free to sign an offer sheet with another team. Baltimore will then have the opportunity to equal that offer and decide to either keep Jackson or receive a couple first round Draft picks in return.
Commenting on the situation, NBA great Charles Barkley appeared on ESPN Cleveland 850 AM and believes Jackson is playing a dangerous game. “Lamar, you’re playing with fire brother. You’re going to get burnt. These dudes, they’re all billionaires.
“They’re not going to let you screw up their business model. You’ve got to take the best deal. It’s not even about Lamar. I know what they’re saying behind the scenes. They’re like ‘Yo man, if you give this guy guaranteed money I’m going to have to give Herbert guaranteed money, I’m going to have to give Burrow guaranteed money … we can’t give all these guys guaranteed money.”
With Jackson's future in Baltimore still up in the air, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports that the franchise have opted to bring back quarterback Tyler Huntley, who is set to sign a one-year deal next week worth $2.6 million.
