Lamar Jackson announces he will be the cover star of NFL’s first VIRTUAL REALITY game

Lamar Jackson has taken time away from the business of Week 1 preparation and speculation surrounding his next contract to announce himself as the cover of the NFL’s first-ever virtual reality game.

The former MVP took to Twitter, posting a cover image of a laser-focused Lamar Jackson, revealing the NFL Pro Era game will be available on September 15 on VR platforms. 

‘A new ERA 4real!, Jackson said Thursday lunchtime. 

‘Get ready to see what it’s like to be QB1 with NFL PRO ERA, the first NFL VR game! 

‘Coming to VR platforms starting September 15. @NFL @STATUSPRO.’

The first fully-licensed VR NFL game is said to let users ‘experience what it’s like to compete as the QB of their favorite NFL team.’

It is slated to appear on PlayStation VR and Meta Quest. Crucially, it will include the name and likeness of NFL players given its licensing deal with the NFLPA. 

Jackson has a 41-17 career record, including one win and three losses during the NFL playoffs

There are said to be various modes inside the game, which naturally include taking a chosen team to Super Bowl glory, perfecting quarterback skills in drills and even teaming up with friends to play virtual catch in any of the 32 NFL stadiums. 

‘When we think about this experience, you’re finally immersing yourself as the professional athlete for the first time ever and seeing it in a way that you’ve never seen it,’ StatusPRO co-founder Troy Jones told ESPN in April. 

‘It is the future, and we look at it as the new era of gaming and the next step in the way people will consume sports.’

StatusPRO, an athlete-led has developed the game, is a sports tech startup which specializes in using athlete data and VR experiences to provide training products for NFL teams, as well as gaming experiences for fans.

‘The biggest difference is we are purely from the players’ perspective, right,’ StatusPRO executive producer Jay Juneau told ESPN. 

‘You’re not a coach. You’re not a GM. You’re not the owner. You are an NFL player, and that’s what we focused on.’

Jackson and the Ravens will likely need to get past Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs in the AFC

The company has numerous celebrity investors including the likes of LeBron James, Drake, Naomi Osaka and Maverick Carter. 

Earlier this week, a fan on Twitter mentioned Baltimore reportedly offered Jackson, which according to Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer was worth more than Kyler Murray’s $230 million deal.

Jackson surprisingly yet swiftly squashed the rumor, replying simply; ‘no they didn’t’.

Jackson shut down rumors the Baltimore Ravens offered him a new $250 million contract

Jackson’s ongoing contract negotiations have been hot topic in the NFL world this summer. 

Earlier in the preseason Jackson told reporters that the sides would have until before the season to come to a deal or negotiations would be put on hold.

If a deal cannot be reached before then, Jackson – who does not have an agent – will be playing this season on the last year of his current deal, a fifth-year option worth more than $23million.