Dale Earnhardt Jr., Lamar Jackson, and the No. 8 Legal Battle: Separating Fact from Fiction
Recent rumors suggesting that NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Jr. is being sued by NFL quarterback Lamar Jackson over the rights to the iconic No. 8, allegedly involving Dale’s stepmother, Teresa Earnhardt, are unfounded. Here’s a breakdown of the facts and the history behind the No. 8 in NASCAR:
The Origin of the No. 8 Dispute
The legal battle over the No. 8 centers on Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s racing career and his departure from Dale Earnhardt Inc. (DEI), the team founded by his late father, Dale Earnhardt Sr., and controlled by Teresa Earnhardt after his death. When Dale Jr. left DEI in 2007 to join Hendrick Motorsports, he sought to retain the No. 8, which he had raced with since his 1999 debut. However, Teresa Earnhardt, as head of DEI, held licensing rights to the number. A protracted negotiation ensued, with DEI eventually allowing Dale Jr. to use the number in exchange for concessions, including branding adjustments. By 2008, he transitioned to the No. 88, which he used until his retirement in 2017.
This dispute was strictly between Dale Jr. and DEI/Teresa Earnhardt, with no involvement from Lamar Jackson or the NFL.
Lamar Jackson’s Connection to No. 8
Lamar Jackson, the Baltimore Ravens’ star quarterback, has worn No. 8 since entering the NFL in 2018. In professional sports, athletes typically do not own exclusive rights to their jersey numbers; leagues and teams control their use. The NFL’s numbering system is unrelated to NASCAR’s trademark protocols, making any legal clash between Jackson and Earnhardt Jr. implausible.
Why the Rumor?
The confusion likely stems from a mix of high-profile names and numbers. Teresa Earnhardt’s past legal battles over branding (including the No. 8) and Lamar Jackson’s prominence as a No. 8 athlete might have sparked speculative or satirical claims. However, no credible sources or legal filings support such a lawsuit.
Conclusion
There is no ongoing or historical legal battle between Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Lamar Jackson. The No. 8 controversy was a NASCAR-specific issue resolved years ago between Dale Jr. and Teresa Earnhardt. Lamar Jackson’s use of the number in the NFL is entirely separate, governed by league policies. This rumor underscores the importance of verifying sources, especially when blending narratives across different sports eras and industries.
