John Harbaugh Cautions Lamar Jackson to Focus on Being Ravens Quarterback as QB Debuts in Power Book III: Raising Kanan

John Harbaugh welcomed Lamar Jackson’s acting debut but reminded him to stay focused on being the Ravens’ quarterback before chasing Hollywood full-time.

John Harbaugh Cautions Lamar Jackson to Focus on Being Ravens Quarterback as QB Debuts in Power Book III: Raising Kanan

Lamar Jackson and John Harbaugh (Image via IMAGO)

Lamar Jackson tried the Travis Kelce route during the ongoing offseason. The Baltimore Ravens quarterback tingled his acting genes by appearing on a popular crime thriller, Power Book III: Rising Kanan.

John Harbaugh, the Ravens’ head coach, watched a clip of Jackson delivering his dialogue. Harbaugh found his performance intriguing. However, he wants the 28-year-old to focus on sharpening his quarterback skills. His acting career can wait.

We don’t want him to love the acting too early… lets finish the football first.

John Harbaugh said via Ravens reporter Carita Parks

Harbaugh joked that Jackson occasionally channels his E-Tone aura in the real world as well.

You know, that facial expression in the clip… I’ve seen it before. He’s looked at me that way a few times.

John Harbaugh said

Jackson took the footsteps of a Hollywood actor through Raising Kanan. He appeared as E-Tone on episode nine of season four of the series. When asked to describe his character, Jackson revealed that E-Tone isn’t someone to be trifled with—an “intimidating figure not to be messed with.”

Harbaugh wasn’t the only one excited by Lamar’s acting debut. Famous rapper and the executive producer of the show, 50 Cent, hyped up the All-Pro under center.

Yes, I’m turning it up a notch! Lamar Jackson tonight in Raising Kanan, we sucker free!

50 Cent tweeted

Episode 9 of Power Book III: Raising Kanan was released on May 9, 2025, on Starz.

Jackson took a page out of Travis Kelce’s book. The three-time Super Bowl-winning tight end dabbled in the world of the silver screen through Grotesquerie, a horror series on Hulu. Kelce also hosted a new game show, ‘Are You Smarter than a Celebrity?’

The role in Raising Kanan came as a surprise to Lamar Jackson

Several current and former NFL players have tried their luck in Hollywood before Jackson. When asked about how he landed the job as a ‘drug dealer’ on such a popular show, the Louisville graduate revealed it definitely came as a shock because it was foreign territory.

John Harbaugh Cautions Lamar Jackson to Focus on Being Ravens Quarterback As He Debuts in Power Book III Raising Kanan
Lamar Jackson (Image via IMAGO)

Jackson may be extremely competitive on the field, but off it, he’s more of a homeboy and likes to be clean and prim. So, to debut as a ‘drug dealer’ who murders someone in the show was a challenge for him. More importantly, he didn’t want to disappoint his colleagues on the set with bad takes.

I was really shocked with that part. When I got to the dressing room, they were like, ‘You know what you’re going to be doing?’ I’m like, ‘Nah, no one told me anything.’ They were like, ‘Yeah, you’re going to be killing a guy at the club.’ I’m like, ‘What?’.

Lamar Jackson told People Magazine

Jackson doesn’t want his fans to see him differently after the episode.

I hope the world don’t think anything different of me, but it is what it is, we’re just acting, it’s fun. I’m ready to see what people think of my acting skills.

Lamar Jackson added

As Harbaugh mentioned, Jackson should focus on leading the Ravens back to the promised land before thinking about a career in acting. They came close last year but fell short in the divisional round to the Buffalo Bills.

Jackson was in phenomenal form throughout the year. For the first time in his NFL career, Lamar played all 17 games. He threw 316 completions for 4172 yards (8.8 yards per throw), 41 touchdowns, and four interceptions, along with 139 rushes for 915 yards (6.6 yards per carry) and four rushing touchdowns, finishing second in the NFL MVP voting behind Bills quarterback Josh Allen.

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