"That's a smart move": Rob Gronkowski makes feelings known after Lamar Jackson 'shows passion' for Beyonce

Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson's unapologetic excitement for Beyoncé's Christmas Day halftime performance is making headlines for all the right reasons. Former New England Patriots star Rob Gronkowski praised Jackson's bold confession.

"I like that," Gronkowski said in an appearance on the 'Up & Adams' podcast. "I like Lamar Jackson showing some personality. Obviously, he's a big fan of Beyoncé, so you got to respect him for those comments.

I feel like he's clearly joking around, but he's also showing his passion for Beyoncé as well, and that was cool just to see him lighten up and make the reporters laugh."

Earlier in a press conference, Jackson declared his intention to watch pop icon Beyonce perform and cheekily apologized to Ravens coach John Harbaugh and his teammates in advance.

"I'm going to go out there and watch," Jackson said. "[It will be my] first time seeing Beyoncé perform, and it's at our game — that's dope. I'm going to go out and watch. Sorry [Ravens coach John] Harbaugh, sorry. Sorry fellas."

Gronkowski saw this as more than just a fan's enthusiasm. He called it a "power play." The former NFL TE feels Lamar Jackson has cleverly set the stage to dodge criticism if caught watching the performance.

"He's a smart man," Rob said. "He's setting himself up to where now, if he does sit there and watch Beyoncé, he can be like, 'I told you, I told you I was gonna watch Beyoncé,' so no one can get on his case. I believe that's a smart move."

Jokes apart, the Christmas Day clash between the Ravens and Texans will be a high-stakes game. In Week 17, both teams will be vying for playoff positions.

John Harbaugh has reacted to Lamar Jackson’s comments about Beyonce and the witty apology

The Baltimore Ravens coach has hinted at potential consequences for players who miss team discussions during halftime.

"There'll be trouble. There will be big trouble," Harbaugh said.

Next, he recalled the Ravens' success when Beyoncé last performed at Super Bowl 47, a game Baltimore famously won against the San Francisco 49ers.

With the Ravens-Texans game kicking off at 4:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Beyoncé is expected to perform around 5:30 p.m.