LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) – I can’t open Facebook these days without seeing the same story: Lamar Jackson donates entire $20 million bonus and sponsorship deals to charity and homeless relief organizations.
It warms the heart. People are sharing it by the thousands. A few even messaged me, saying essentially, “You should write about this. It’s the kind of good news the media needs to cover.”
There’s just one problem: the story isn’t true.
The Baltimore Ravens confirmed that to me this morning. Lamar Jackson has done a great deal for charity — just not this particular thing.
Some of the photos being shared, showing him holding checks, are clearly AI-generated. The “report” comes from a group calling itself Ravens Purple Wings — which offers no links, no evidence, no affiliations with any known charities.
And that’s what makes this story so frustrating. It plays on Jackson’s real generosity — and fans’ genuine love for him. But it isn’t real. And it spreads far faster than anything I could write to correct it. It has been “liked” 32,000 times and shared 5,600.
Even now, after it’s been debunked, people will keep sharing it. Because some folks would rather believe a lie that makes them feel good than a truth that doesn’t. Or, maybe even sadder — because they have no idea it isn’t true. It could be. It sounds like something Lamar might do. They want to believe it.
That, my friends, is the problem of our times — and of my business.
Social media platforms like Facebook, X, and TikTok don’t care whether something is true. They care that it spreads. Their algorithms reward engagement, not accuracy.
Even if you try to fact-check the story, you’re met with more misinformation. When I Googled “Lamar Jackson $20 million,” the top result was a summary — by Google’s own AI — of the false story.
And soon, those AI-generated blurbs may become the default, replacing real links, pushing legitimate journalism further down the page — or off it entirely.
So, let’s set the record straight.
Lamar Jackson has supported Blessings in a Backpack. He’s organized food drives for the homeless. He founded the Forever Dreamers Foundation, which promotes mental health awareness and encourages children to dream boldly and freely.
From the foundation’s website:
“Mental health awareness is a cause near and dear to our hearts. We inspire children to dream with a free spirit and open mind... It’s our responsibility to help change the narrative, and let all people know that it’s okay not to be okay.”
That’s real. That’s good. That’s enough. No need to embellish with social media misinformation.
These fake posts are becoming more common by the day. I see them about University of Kentucky and University of Louisville sports, too. Many people recognize them for what they are. But many don’t.
When I got into this business, the rule was simple: Don’t publish a story without at least two sources. On a big one, get three.
Now, that’s the rule readers have to follow, too.
Be wary of what you read — and careful what you believe.
Quick sips
- With strong storms expected Friday – when Louisville is set to host Miami in an NCAA Baseball Super Regional at Jim Patterson Stadium, be sure to follow Marc Weinberg and the WDRB Weather team for updates (and download the WDRB Weather app). Tickets for the Super Regional sold out in less than 30 minutes. Some single-game tickets may be offered if any become available.
- In case you missed it, U of L on Wednesday clarified a graphic released by its men’s basketball program showing new recruit Vangelis Zougris in a No. 35 Louisville basketball jersey. Zougris has worn No. 35 in competition in Greece and it was used to create photos of him when his signing was announced. But No. 35 at Louisville was worn by Cardinals great Darrell Griffith and was retired in 1980. Zougris will wear another number at Louisville.
The Last Drop
"The lowest form of popular culture--lack of information, misinformation, disinformation, and a contempt for the truth or the reality of most people's lives -- has overrun real journalism."
Fromer Washington Post reporter Carl Bernstein in The New Republic. In 1992.
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