JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The rookies have been drafted, big-name free agents signed and Wednesday morning, the Jaguars veterans, including cornerback Jalen Ramsey, reported to TIAA Bank Field to get to work for the 2019 season
Fans lined up early to get a glimpse of their favorite veteran players. One by one, players like defensive end Calais Campbell and linebacker Myles Jack stopped to give their John Hancock before reporting for mandatory training camp.
But if there was one entrance that stood out above all others, it was Ramsey, who arrived in an armored money truck. Video of Ramsey’s grand entrance has gone viral.
WELCOME BACK, Jalen Ramsey! 👏What an entrance... #Jaguars http://bit.ly/2OiEZ66
Posted by WJXT4 The Local Station / News4JAX on Wednesday, July 24, 2019
With millions of followers on social media, the man behind the bullhorn is an internet fixture himself -- comedian HaHa Davis.
“We talked about two or three days ago. He said, ‘Man, I want you to come out and do something dope.' Obviously, it was dope because it’s all over the internet. It’s everywhere. It's on ESPN," Davis said. "So I guess it did what we set out to do.”
Davis said having the chance to introduce his friend was the opportunity of a lifetime
“All of this stuff is happening so fast for me right now, and I can’t keep up with it," he said. "So it’s definitely surreal. It’s a dream come true.”
Many had questions about one of the team’s most important veteran players defensive end Yannick Ngakoue -- and whether he would show up. He didn't.
As previously reported, Ngakoue is upset with his current contract and that’s why he skipped mandatory minicamp last month.
According to his 2019 projection, Ngakoue is in the final year of his rookie deal, meaning he will be paid just over $2 million this year. His stats showed he had 80 tackles, 29.5 sacks and 10 forced fumbles over his first three seasons. He’s under contract for 2019 but has said he wants a long-term deal with the Jags.
Last month, running back Leonard Fournette tweeted: “Pay Yannick Ngakoue.” Ngakoue himself has been tweeting a lot over the past several days. One week ago, he wrote:
Whenever 91 returns. 91 will be ready. #OMERTA pic.twitter.com/AVg2ywdkKz
— Yannick Ngakoue (@YannickNgakoue) July 17, 2019
For Jaguars fans, the start to training camp this week marks the beginning of a hopeful new season.
News4Jax was there as the newest players reported to mandatory training camp earlier this week. Rookies and first-year players like Super Bowl-winning quarterback Nick Foles were seen reporting for duty.
“I hope that we come out and start out this year as we did last year. But not fall, and continue to go on and on. I want that Super Bowl ring," Jaguars fan Johnny Dearborn said. "I know Nick Foles did it with Philadelphia. Hopefully, he can do it for us here in Jacksonville.”
With a promising lineup, fans have a lot to be proud of.
“We’re going to be going for Nick!" said Jaguars fan Carol Sanders. "This is his first year as quarterback and let’s see what he can do. And I think he has got a good team behind him!”
These fans believe the team will make it to the playoffs. For them, Wednesday morning’s rainbow in the sky over the stadium was the perfect sign.
The first on-field training camp practice is Thursday, July 25. Seven practices are open to the public, but fans must register in advance online at www.jaguars.com/trainingcamp19.
