Lamar Jackson’s offseason just got a little weird — and it has nothing to do with football. The Baltimore Ravens quarterback is making headlines for filing a legal challenge against NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Jr. over the use of a stylized No. 8, a number both men are strongly tied to.
This isn’t even the first time Jackson has done this. Last year, he filed a similar complaint against former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman for using the number.
What started as a trademark dispute has now spiraled into a full-on internet frenzy, largely thanks to a fired-up NASCAR fan whose passionate rant about the situation has gone viral.
No. 8 Showdown: Lamar Jackson vs. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
While the legal case raised some eyebrows, a fired-up NASCAR fan’s reaction truly broke the internet. In a now-viral clip, the man (@randytheplumber) is in full rant mode, slamming Jackson’s legal move in a passionate tirade that quickly made the rounds on TikTok, X, and Reddit.
“Nobody owns any number, son!” he screams, pacing in front of two number 8s — one Earnhardt’s, the other Jackson’s — waving his arms like he’s at the racetrack. What started as a niche sports lawsuit is now a full-blown culture clash — with fans from both sides picking teams.
“If a person is possibly confused as to which number 8 is which, they don’t know anything about sports,” the fan shouted, pointing out the clear visual and cultural differences between the two numbers.
TRENDING: A NASCAR fan has gone viral for his rant about #Ravens QB Lamar Jackson getting into a legal battle with Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Lamar claimed the #8 was his.
😭😭😭
pic.twitter.com/PerYUexB1E— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) April 9, 2025
At the heart of the controversy was a trademark dispute involving a specific version of the No. 8 — the digit both Jackson and Earnhardt Jr. are heavily associated with. Jackson, who wears No. 8 for the Ravens and uses it as the foundation of his Era 8 brand, filed an opposition to a design submitted by JR Motorsports, the team co-owned by Earnhardt. Jackson’s filing claims that the stylized “8” is too close to his registered design and may cause consumer confusion.
For Jackson, it’s likely just business. Athletes protecting their brands is nothing new, especially in today’s marketplace, where logos, merchandise, and personal identity are all major revenue streams. But for NASCAR fans — especially those who grew up watching Earnhardt Jr. take the wheel in the iconic red No. 8 Budweiser Chevy — the move feels like an attempt to erase a piece of history.
The fan in the video represents a large group who sees the number not just as digits or trademarks but as part of a deeper sports legacy.
In the end, Earnhardt said JR Motorsports abandoned its trademark for the stylized No. 8 that Jackson took issue with.