They have been a few legendary Joes to star in the Super Bowl – Joe Namath (Broadway Joe), Joe Theisman (Captain Bubbly), and Joe Montana (Joe Cool) just to name a few.
This week another Joe will take the field at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles and its Cincinnati Bengal QB Joe Burrow, a former national champion at LSU. At Monday’s media session, when asked by a reporter about his favorite nickname, he let the notion roll around his head for a moment, looked to the heavens, and said “Just call me Joe”.
Burrow is no stranger to big games. In 2019, he led the LSU Tigers to an undefeated season. The transfer QB from Ohio State then along with current Bengal teammate Ja’ Marr Chase (2021 Pepsi Zero Sugar NFL Rookie of Year) led the purple and gold to a National Title defeating Clemson 42-25.
Burrow would win the Heisman Trophy that year and be the first overall pick in the NFL draft by the Bengals. After an injury-shortened rookie season, Burrow has the Bengals improbably in their first Super Bowl since 1988, when current Football Talking Head Boomer Esiason was at the wheel.
Burrow believes that whichever team handles the distractions of Los Angeles is going to win. He is also aware that the nation is backing the longshot Bengals. Burrow knows that he must handle the Rams defense that includes Aaron Donald, Leonard Floyd, and Von Miller. Burrow said. “It’s going to come down to one, how do I handle the pressure. How I’m able to get the ball out of my hands into the hands of my playmakers in space. And two, how we’re going to be able to handle them up front and I have the trust and confidence in our offensive line to make it happen.”
His advice to young athletes trying to make it should be put on every weight room wall:
“Focus less on the media camps that don’t mean anything to college coaches,” Burrow said. “Go to the individual school’s camp. Go to Ohio State’s camp. Go to LSU’s camp. Go to Cincinnati’s camp. Don’t worry about all these elite 11s. Focus on getting better. Don’t post a workout on Instagram one day and then sit on your butt for four days so everybody thinks you’re working hard when you’re really not. Work in silence. Don’t show everybody what you’re doing. Let your games on Friday nights and Saturday night’s and Sunday nights show all the hard work you put in. Don’t worry about all that social media stuff.”
Burrow will get a chance to add his name to the list of legendary Joes on Sunday. So far, he has proven he is up for the challenge.
