Lydia Fagnano shared a pregame kiss with her husband on the sideline before his rough NFL debut.
The newlywed couple, married in September, embraced at M&T Bank Stadium on Thursday night as Baltimore Ravens rookie quarterback Joe Fagnano, 24, prepared for his first career start against the Jacksonville Jaguars. NFL on Prime captured the moment on video, which showed Lydia telling him, “Love you! Have fun!” The exchange circulated widely on social media as viewers latched onto the personal moment amid an otherwise grim evening for the Ravens.
Fagnano’s debut quickly soured. He finished 10-of-18 for just 60 yards and two interceptions in Baltimore’s 33-10 loss, the team’s fourth straight defeat. Jacksonville forced three turnovers as heavy, intermittent rain pounded the field throughout the game.
The Ravens’ offensive struggles reached historic territory. Reports said Baltimore has now been held to under 14 points in four consecutive games for the first time in franchise history. The team has collapsed since losing quarterback Lamar Jackson to injured reserve with a right thumb injury sustained last Sunday against Buffalo.
Fagnano entered the game already compromised. His right ankle was heavily wrapped after he suffered an injury during the same Buffalo loss that sidelined Jackson. The Ravens had elevated Fagnano from the practice squad to start against Jacksonville, moving Jackson to injured reserve in a procedural shift that will keep the former MVP out for at least the next three games and potentially the remainder of the season.
The rookie showed brief flashes of mobility despite his limitations. NFL on Prime posted a separate clip showing Lydia Fagnano reacting enthusiastically to her husband scrambling for a first down, clapping from her vantage point as the play unfolded. The moment offered one of the few bright spots in an otherwise forgettable performance.
Baltimore has scrambled to address its quarterback crisis. The team signed Kedon Slovis on Tuesday, adding him to a depth chart that already included Austin Reed on the 53-man roster. Both quarterbacks joined Fagnano as options behind the injured Jackson.
The Ravens are reportedly finalizing a trade for Arizona Cardinals veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett. Brissett, 31, will not be eligible to debut for Baltimore until at least November 16 against the Los Angeles Chargers on “Monday Night Football,” leaving the team to navigate upcoming matchups with its current patchwork of available passers.
Fagnano’s stat line reflected the difficulty of his circumstances. Playing behind a battered offensive line in treacherous weather, with a balky ankle and minimal preparation time, the undrafted rookie from Maine faced one of the more challenging debut environments in recent memory. The Jaguars’ defense capitalized repeatedly, generating pressure that contributed to his two interceptions and limited downfield opportunities.
The Ravens will next face the Pittsburgh Steelers in an AFC North divisional matchup.