ProFootballTalk’s Mike Florio didn’t hold back with his bold prediction for the coveted Christmas Day matchup between the San Francisco 49ers and the Baltimore Ravens, declaring last week that the Niners would “kick the sh– out of the Ravens” in Santa Clara.
After Lamar Jackson and Baltimore came away with a 33–19 win, the star quarterback made clear that he heard the comments from the sports media personality.
While walking toward the Ravens’ locker room after the game alongside left tackle Ronnie Stanley, Jackson could be overheard calling out Florio for his incorrect prediction, though he struggled to recall the pundit’s name.
“Damn, Mike Flores! What was his name? Mike Flores?” said Jackson, seemingly referring to Florio’s comments.
Sounds like Lamar Jackson took that prediction from Mike “Flores” Florio personally. pic.twitter.com/lAMgE0T2FI
— Ryan Mink (@ryanmink) December 26, 2023
Speaking to reporters after the game, Jackson further addressed Florio’s remarks.
“You can’t just discredit us. We’re grown men, we’ve got to feed our families. He can have his opinion, but don’t be just talking like that. That’s disrespectful. That’s very disrespectful,” said Jackson.
Lamar Jackson BURIES Mike Florio with this answer pic.twitter.com/LVjFW6xTqm
— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) December 26, 2023
“He needs to just keep doing his job, but don’t come off like that towards us. Because that’s disrespectful, like I said. Because he ain’t putting them pads on. If he were putting them pads on I feel like it’d be different for him. ... We’re respectful to our opponents. Our opponents are respectful to us. But a guy who is not even playing against us gonna come out being disrespectful. I guess he wanted a little more views on his little channel. We’re gonna leave it at that.”
Not only did Baltimore take hold of the NFL’s best record during the victory on Christmas, Jackson also vaulted himself ahead of Brock Purdy, who threw four interceptions before leaving with an injury, in the league’s MVP race.
“The 49ers kick the sh– out of the Ravens on Monday night. I’m sorry. I know that’s disrespectful to the Ravens, but let’s be realistic. They’ve got to fly across the country on Christmas night, and the 49ers are waiting. And the 49ers are going to dismantle the Ravens,” Florio said in his initial comments on Thursday.
Jackson kept receipts from one of his biggest naysayers, and was more than happy to prove Florio wrong.
