Instant stardom is a dangerous thing when it comes to amateur athletes. In recent years we’ve seen handfuls of teenage/20 something superstars struggle with their newfound fame, especially during the offseason of their respective sport.
The summer after Johnny Manziel became “Johnny Football,” he was making headlines throughout the spring and the summer that would ultimately serve as the start of his downward spiral.
Lamar Jackson, conversely, has spent the first part of his Heisman offseason playing laser tag with family members and, most recently, being awarded to key to his hometown of Pompano Beach.
A four year starter at Boynton Beach High School, Jackson capped his high school career in 2014 by becoming the first player in school history to earn Palm Beach’s top honor — the Lou Groza Awards High School Player of the Year.