Baltimore Ravens star QB fires back after ESPN reporter accuses him of using 'anti-gay' slur: 'This is defamation'

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson rebuked an ESPN reporter on Monday who accused him of using an "anti-gay" slur.

What is the background?

After the Ravens lost to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday by a score of 28-27, Jackson responded to a Baltimore fan who criticized him.

The fan, referring to Jackson seeking a fully guaranteed contract as one of the league's top quarterbacks, said that Jackson's performance on Sunday did not warrant such a deal. Jackson, however, vehemently disagreed.

"Boy STFU y’all be cappin too much on this app mf never smelt a football field never did shit but eat dick," Jackson responded.

What was the accusation?

Jackson deleted the tweet, but that did not stop ESPN writer Jamison Hensley from charging Jackson with using an "anti-gay phrase," an accusation that in today's political environment often results in being canceled.

Hensley wrote:

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson responded to a social media post Sunday that criticized his performance with a profanity-laced tweet that included an anti-gay phrase.

Jackson responded to the accusation on Monday by accusing Hensley of defamation.

"This is Defamation of my character, Because not once have I ever mentioned or disrespect anyone’s Sexuality, sexual orientation, gender, Religion or Race. Your (sic) reaching…" Jackson said.

Anything else?

Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh told media on Monday that he had met with Jackson to discuss the "out of character" remark. Still, he defended his quarterback.

Harbaugh explained that he tells his players "not to get into the Twitter world right after the game, especially after a loss. It's never going to be positive, it's not going to be a nice place."

"I think that's kind of reflected in Lamar's response because what he said was just so out of character for him. That's not the way he speaks. That's not the way he talks. That's not the words he ever uses. I've never heard him say things like that before," the coach added. "I'm sure he's frustrated, just like we all are. That's just a place you don't want to live right after a game. I know he understands that."