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As fans around the world look forward to Beyoncé’s performance during the halftime of the Christmas Day game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Houston Texans, Lamar Jackson, the Ravens' quarterback, is also eager to catch the show. Despite being in the middle of a competitive game, Jackson has made it clear that he plans to watch Beyoncé during halftime, and he’s not shy about sharing his intentions.
When asked on Monday whether it was disappointing that he wouldn’t be able to watch the halftime performance, Jackson responded with enthusiasm. “Nah, cause I’m gonna go out there and watch,” he said. “First time seeing Beyoncé perform, and it’s at our game. That’s dope.” Jackson added, “I’m gonna go out there and watch. Sorry, Harbaugh. Sorry. Sorry, fellas.”
While Jackson’s enthusiasm is evident, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh has yet to comment on the quarterback’s halftime plans.
Sneaking Out for the Halftime Show: A Tradition?
If Jackson does indeed sneak out of the locker room to watch Beyoncé, he won’t be the first NFL player to do so. In fact, it’s become a bit of a tradition for some players to catch the halftime show when the performance is something truly special.
Bengals kicker Evan McPherson made headlines during Super Bowl LVI for watching the halftime show featuring Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, and others. McPherson wasn’t trying to hide it, either—he was seen dancing and singing along in front of NBC’s cameras while Cincinnati played the Los Angeles Rams.
Meanwhile, Bengals long snapper Clark Harris also took in the show but stayed out of view from the cameras. Harris’ decision to miss halftime adjustments did not sit well with special teams coordinator Darrin Simmons, who later expressed frustration with Harris for being absent during the critical period.
“I just couldn’t find him,” Simmons recalled in 2022. “I had to go on and make adjustments with everybody else. I had to move two players and make adjustments with the punt team. I don’t have the key cog in that. That’s what frustrated me the most.”
Harris defended his actions, saying, “The fact I wasn’t in there for that didn’t screw anything up, but could potentially have been a thing.”
Historical Halftime Escapades
The tradition of players sneaking out for halftime shows goes back further than McPherson and Harris. Hall of Fame receiver Michael Irvin revealed in 2017 that he, along with several teammates, snuck away from the locker room during Super Bowl XXVII to watch Michael Jackson’s iconic halftime performance. Irvin admitted that even head coach Jimmy Johnson couldn’t stop them from leaving the meeting to catch the performance.
"Man, listen. Jimmy Johnson was trying to talk about the game plan and everything," Irvin said on The Rich Eisen Show. "And we're sitting right here, 'Come on, coach.' And then half of us sneaking out the back going to watch Michael Jackson... Because I wanted to go see Michael Jackson, man. That was the moment right there."
The Cowboys went on to win Super Bowl XXVII in a dominating 52-17 performance, but Irvin fondly remembers that halftime show as one of the most memorable moments of his career.
Will Jackson Follow Through?
With the Ravens facing the Texans in a crucial late-season matchup, the stakes for Jackson and his team are high. Baltimore is fighting for the NFC North title, but the Ravens are in for a tough battle against the Steelers. While Jackson’s commitment to catching the Beyoncé show is clear, it remains to be seen whether he will follow through on his plans or if Coach Harbaugh will intervene.
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