Netflix has officially unveiled its newest sports documentary, North of the Diamond: The Lamar Ravens Legacy, centred on Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson—one of the most electric and enigmatic players the NFL has seen in decades. The feature-length documentary is set to premiere globally on August 27, 2025, just ahead of the 2025 NFL regular season.
Directed by Emmy-nominated filmmaker Nadia Hallgren (Becoming, The Show), the film promises a comprehensive look into Jackson’s rise from Pompano Beach, Florida, to Louisville stardom, to becoming a two-time NFL MVP and cultural lightning rod in Baltimore. Produced by Netflix in partnership with Kenya Barris’ Khalabo Ink Society and The SpringHill Company, North of the Diamond aims to capture the full spectrum of Lamar Jackson’s journey—brilliance, flaws, contradictions, and all.
At 28, a Legacy Both Glorious and Complicated
At just 28 years old, Jackson remains a marvel of talent and an anomaly in NFL history. He is the only quarterback in league history to win multiple MVP awards (2019, 2024) while holding a losing record in the playoffs, currently sitting at 3-5. Despite leading the Ravens to consistent regular-season success and producing highlight-reel performances unmatched by peers, Jackson’s postseason résumé remains the one blemish in an otherwise Hall of Fame-worthy trajectory.
And yet, that contrast is exactly what North of the Diamond intends to explore: a player who has revolutionized how the quarterback position is played, while still chasing the one accolade that defines NFL greatness—a Super Bowl ring.
“This is a story about more than wins and losses,” said director Nadia Hallgren. “It’s about leadership, evolution, defiance, and an athlete who continues to challenge the narrative every time he steps on the field.”
“North of the Diamond”: A Metaphorical Title with Deep Baltimore Roots
The title North of the Diamond references Camden Yards—home of the Baltimore Orioles—and M&T Bank Stadium, where Jackson has thrilled fans just north of the baseball diamond. The symbolism runs deeper: it’s about standing apart, forging your path, and redefining what greatness looks like in a league long dominated by convention.
“We wanted to show Baltimore through Lamar’s lens,” said executive producer Kenya Barris. “It’s a love letter to the city and a portrait of a once-in-a-generation player whose story doesn’t fit in a box.”
Inside the Film: Exclusive Access, Real Conversations
Filmed over 18 months, the documentary features unprecedented access to Jackson’s inner circle, Ravens locker room dynamics, and personal life. With raw interviews from Jackson himself, his mother and manager Felicia Jones, head coach John Harbaugh, GM Eric DeCosta, and former Ravens legends like Ray Lewis and Ed Reed, the film paints a multi-dimensional portrait of a man both driven and deeply loyal.
It covers everything: his early struggles as a high school recruit deemed “too raw” to play quarterback; his Heisman-winning dominance at Louisville; his fall to the 32nd pick in the 2018 NFL Draft; and his vindication as the youngest quarterback ever to win MVP. It also addresses his decision to negotiate his own contract—earning a record-setting deal in 2023—and his impact on the culture of the league and Black quarterbacks in particular.
But perhaps most importantly, it doesn’t avoid the difficult questions.
“Lamar’s playoff record isn’t a footnote—it’s part of the story,” said co-producer Maverick Carter. “And so is his resilience in the face of it. He keeps coming back, keeps growing, keeps proving people wrong. That’s real legacy.”
Cultural Influence Beyond the Field
The documentary explores how Jackson became more than a football player. His unapologetic authenticity, defiant playing style, and social media savvy made him a generational figure for fans far beyond Baltimore. From high school kids mimicking his juke moves to viral clips that routinely break the internet, Jackson’s cultural impact is undeniable.
He’s also become a rare example of an NFL superstar who rejects the media polish—sticking with his inner circle, including his mother as his business manager, and maintaining an intensely private yet principled persona.
“Lamar Jackson is not part of the system,” said Barris. “He is the system, in his own way. That’s what makes him fascinating to watch—and worthy of a story this deep.”
Perfect Timing Ahead of the 2025 NFL Season
Scheduled just one week before the start of the 2025 NFL season, the documentary arrives at a pivotal time for Jackson and the Ravens. With a loaded roster, Super Bowl aspirations, and the weight of past playoff exits still lingering, Jackson’s narrative is far from complete.
But win or lose in the seasons ahead, North of the Diamond cements Jackson’s place as one of the most important and polarizing athletes of his era.
“Even if he never wins a Super Bowl, Lamar’s legacy is already stamped,” said Hallgren. “He made people rethink everything they thought they knew about quarterbacks.”
North of the Diamond: The Lamar Ravens Legacy
Premieres August 27, 2025
Streaming Exclusively on Netflix
Directed by: Nadia Hallgren
Produced by: Kenya Barris, Maverick Carter, Felicia Jones
Executive Producers: Kenya Barris, LeBron James, Maverick Carter
Runtime: 95 minutes
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