Sometimes, it was 7-on-7. Sometimes, it was 11-on-11.
No matter how many teens showed up at Sabal Pines Park in Coconut Creek, Florida, on a given day, you could bet on Lamar Jackson and Calvin Ridley being on the same football team. The result typically involved Jackson completing passes to Ridley all over the field.
"We was cheating," Jackson, the Baltimore Ravens' quarterback, said with a laugh because the duo dominated. "Calvin was the fastest thing we had out there. I was like, 'I'm going to Calvin every time.'"
Little did they know those pickup football games would lead to each playing on a much bigger stage one day.
Jackson and fellow rookie Ridley, a receiver with the Atlanta Falcons, reunite Sunday when the Ravens visit Mercedes-Benz Stadium (1 p.m. ET, CBS). Whether Jackson starts for the third consecutive game remains unknown, with Ravens coach John Harbaugh staying coy about Joe Flacco's game status because of a hip injury.
Even if Jackson (2-0) returns to a reserve role, he'll appreciate sharing the field with his buddy Ridley.
"That will be cool, man," Jackson said. "Just some young kids. We were just playing in the park, and now we're in the league playing against each other. At the same time, I wish Calvin was on my team."
Ridley and Jackson met in 10th grade, when Jackson used to stay the weekends at his cousin Cavarri Morss' house. Ridley and Jackson discussed possibly teaming up at Northeast High School, but it never materialized. Ridley ended up at Monarch High School in Coconut Creek and Jackson went to Boynton Beach Community High School 25 miles north of Monarch.
"We were trying to get him to come to Monarch and be our quarterback," said Ridley, who was high school football teammates with Morss.
Said Jackson: "There was no real reason, but I ended up staying at my school. If I went to Monarch, we would have had a squad. I feel like we would have won state titles back to back."
Ridley and Jackson never faced each other in high school. While Ridley was a five-star recruit wooed by many top programs before choosing Alabama, Jackson was a three-star, dual-threat quarterback who chose Louisville over Florida, Florida State and Nebraska, among others. Jackson won the Heisman Trophy in 2016 as the nation's top college player.
Ridley, the 26th overall pick in the 2018 draft, and Jackson, the 32nd overall pick, both entered the NFL with something to prove. Ridley thought he should have been drafted higher and even figured he might go 19th to the Dallas Cowboys. He answered any doubters with six touchdown receptions through the first four games and leads the Falcons with eight touchdown receptions.
Ridley's immediate success didn't surprise Jackson, who tweeted one day, "Bra this just the beginning," about his good friend's hot start this season.
Bra this just the beginning https://t.co/LniHc7IuUr
— Lamar Jackson (@Lj_era8) November 5, 2018
"Just seeing him when we were younger, it was always hard to guard him because he's got moves, he's got speed," Jackson said. "His acceleration, you can't catch him. I haven't seen anyone catch him from behind, like running him down. His explosiveness that he brings to the game is ridiculous. One man can't lock him down. I've never heard of it; not with Calvin."
Jackson constantly heard doubts about his ability to pass the ball and the suggestions he would be best suited as a receiver. He even revealed how a scout from the Los Angeles Chargers talked to him about playing receiver.
Jackson refused to succumb to such speculation, going about his quarterback duties while learning behind Flacco. Although the Ravens still take advantage of Jackson's ability with option plays, a few pinpoint throws in Sunday's 34-17 win against Oakland showed he's more than just a runner.
"That's my boy, man," Ridley said of Jackson. "I definitely want to see him play. I know what he's capable of doing. I know he's a great, great player. All the love for my guy."