Joe Burrow facts for kids
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Burrow in 2022
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| No. 9–Cincinnati Bengals | |
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| Position | Quarterback |
| Roster status | Active |
| Personal information | |
| Born | December 10, 1996 Ames, Iowa, U.S. |
| Listed height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) |
| Listed weight | 215 lb (98 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Athens (The Plains, Ohio) |
| College |
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| NFL draft | 2020: 1st round, 1st overall pick |
| Career history | |
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| Awards and highlights | |
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Joseph Lee Burrow (born December 10, 1996) is an American professional football quarterback. He plays for the Cincinnati Bengals in the National Football League (NFL). Burrow first became famous playing college football. He started his college career with the Ohio State Buckeyes. Later, he played for the LSU Tigers. In 2019, he led LSU to win the College Football Playoff National Championship. That same year, he won the famous Heisman Trophy as the top player in college sports.
The Bengals chose Burrow with the first overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft. Burrow quickly became an NFL superstar. In 2021, he helped Cincinnati reach Super Bowl LVI. Fans and teammates call him "Joe Cool" and "Joe Brrr" because he stays calm under heavy game pressure. Burrow is celebrated for his accurate throws, smart choices on the field, and big comebacks from injuries.
Contents
Early Life and Growing Up in an Athletic Family
Burrow was born in Ames, Iowa, on December 10, 1996. Sports ran deep in his family for generations. His father, Jim Burrow, played professional football and worked as a college coach for four decades. Burrow's grandmother once scored 82 points in a single high school basketball game during the 1940s. His grandfather played college basketball for the Mississippi State Bulldogs. His uncle played football for the Ole Miss Rebels, and his two older brothers played for the Nebraska Cornhuskers.
When Burrow was five years old, he attended the 2002 Rose Bowl to watch his father coach for the University of Nebraska. Soon after, he joined his first youth football league. His family members had all played defensive positions. However, Burrow became a quarterback because his team had nobody else to throw passes. His family moved to Fargo, North Dakota in 2003 when his father coached for the North Dakota State Bison. Two years later, the family settled down in Athens, Ohio.
High School Success at Athens
Burrow attended Athens High School in The Plains, Ohio. He became a star athlete in both football and basketball. On the gridiron, he led the Athens Bulldogs to three playoff trips and seven playoff wins. Over his high school career, he passed for 11,416 yards and 157 passing touchdowns. He also ran with the football for 2,067 yards and 27 scores.
During his senior year in 2014, Burrow guided his team to an impressive 14–1 record. He won the prestigious Ohio Mr. Football Award. He was also chosen as an all-state basketball point guard. Sports experts rated him as an elite four-star dual-threat quarterback recruit. In May 2014, he agreed to play college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes. Later, his hometown school board honored him by naming their high school football stadium after him.
College Football Journey
Time with Ohio State
Burrow spent his first year at Ohio State redshirting, meaning he practiced with the team but sat out games. Over the next two seasons, he served as a backup quarterback behind starter J. T. Barrett. He appeared in 10 games, completing 29 passes for 287 yards and two touchdowns. Burrow and future NFL starter Dwayne Haskins both waited on the sidelines during the 2016 Fiesta Bowl against the Clemson Tigers.
In the spring of 2018, Burrow competed against Haskins and Tate Martell for the starting spot. After the spring exhibition game, Burrow decided he wanted more playing time rather than sitting on the bench. Burrow completed his college degree in three years, which allowed him to transfer to Louisiana State University (LSU) right away without sitting out a season.
Rising Up at LSU
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Burrow earned the starting quarterback role for the 2018 LSU Tigers. In an early battle against the Auburn Tigers, Burrow threw for 249 yards to secure a dramatic 22–21 comeback win. He earned the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Offensive Player of the Week award. Later that season, he threw for 292 yards and three touchdowns against the Ole Miss Rebels.
One of his hardest tests came in a historic game against the Texas A&M Aggies. The game lasted seven overtimes and took nearly five hours to finish. Burrow was so exhausted afterward that team doctors gave him fluids through a medical tube to help him recover. Burrow ended his junior year on a high note by beating the UCF Knights in the 2019 Fiesta Bowl. He finished 2018 with 2,894 passing yards and 16 touchdowns.
A Record-Breaking Championship Season
The 2019 season turned out to be one of the greatest seasons in college sports history. In the opening game against the Georgia Southern Eagles, Burrow tossed five touchdowns in a 55–3 blowout win. The next week, he threw for 471 yards against the Texas Longhorns. In a matchup against the Vanderbilt Commodores, Burrow set a school game record with six touchdown passes.
Burrow kept shattering records every week. Against the Florida Gators, his steady passing helped LSU score a 42–28 win. Soon after, he broke the LSU single-season touchdown mark against the Mississippi State Bulldogs. In November, LSU faced their top rival, the Alabama Crimson Tide, led by star quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Burrow passed for 393 yards and three touchdowns, lifting LSU to a thrilling 46–41 victory. Running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire also had a massive game to help Burrow beat Alabama.
Burrow then broke the all-time SEC single-season passing yardage record held by Kentucky's Tim Couch. He also passed the conference touchdown mark previously set by Missouri's Drew Lock. In the 2019 SEC Championship Game, Burrow threw four touchdowns to defeat the Georgia Bulldogs 37–10, punching LSU's ticket to the national playoffs.
Winning the Heisman Trophy
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In December 2019, Burrow won the prestigious Heisman Trophy by the biggest margin of victory in history. He received 1,846 more votes than second-place finisher Jalen Hurts. During his famous acceptance speech, Burrow spoke about families facing hunger and food insecurity back in Athens County. His words inspired people across the country to donate more than $450,000 to his hometown food bank.
Burrow swept every major college football award that winter. He took home the Maxwell Award, the Walter Camp Award, the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, the Davey O'Brien Award, the Lombardi Award, and the Manning Award. He was named a Unanimous All-American.
College Football Playoff Champion
LSU entered the playoffs against the Oklahoma Sooners in the 2019 Peach Bowl. Burrow had an unforgettable first half, throwing seven touchdowns before halftime. He added a rushing touchdown, finishing with eight total scores in a 63–28 victory.
In the National Championship Game, Burrow faced the Clemson Tigers. He delivered 463 passing yards and accounted for six touchdowns, leading LSU to a 42–25 victory. Burrow earned the game's offensive MVP honors. His 60 passing touchdowns set a new all-time FBS record, topping the previous mark held by Colt Brennan. Burrow also set the FBS record for total touchdowns in a season with 65, later tied by Bailey Zappe. Many sportswriters called Burrow's 2019 campaign the best quarterback season ever seen in college football.
Professional NFL Career with the Cincinnati Bengals
Rookie Season and Overcoming Injury (2020)
The Cincinnati Bengals selected Burrow with the first pick in the 2020 NFL draft. He followed Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray as the third straight Heisman winner taken first overall. Burrow quickly signed a four-year rookie contract with Cincinnati.
Burrow started right away in Week 1 against the Los Angeles Chargers. In his second game against the Cleveland Browns, Burrow threw his first NFL touchdown pass to C. J. Uzomah. He completed 37 passes in that game, setting an NFL record for a rookie quarterback. Burrow soon earned his first NFL victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars. In Week 7, he became the first rookie in league history to throw for over 400 yards and three scores while rushing for a touchdown in one game.
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During Week 11 against the Washington Football Team, Burrow took a hard tackle. He suffered serious damage to his ACL and other knee ligaments. The injury ended his season early, forcing him onto injured reserve. Even while recovering from major knee surgery, Burrow studied game videos daily with his coaches. He finished his rookie year with 2,688 yards and 13 touchdowns in 10 games.
Comeback Season and Super Bowl Run (2021)
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Burrow completed his medical rehab in time for the 2021 season opener. In Week 16 against the Baltimore Ravens, Burrow delivered an all-time classic performance. He threw for 525 yards, the fourth-highest single-game total in NFL history. He broke Boomer Esiason's old franchise record and helped Cincinnati take over first place in the AFC North. The next week, Burrow passed for 446 yards and four touchdowns to defeat the Kansas City Chiefs 34–31. The win locked up Cincinnati's first division title since the 2015 season. Burrow won the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award.
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In the playoffs, Burrow ended a 31-year win drought for Cincinnati by beating the Las Vegas Raiders 26–19. The following week, Burrow led the Bengals past the Tennessee Titans 19–16. Even though Tennessee sacked him nine times, tying an NFL playoff record set by Warren Moon, Burrow still made key throws to win.
In the AFC Championship Game, Burrow led an 18-point comeback against the Chiefs to win 27–24 in overtime. That victory sent Cincinnati to Super Bowl LVI, their first Super Bowl trip since the 1988 season. In the title game, Burrow played tough but was sacked seven times by the Los Angeles Rams. The Bengals lost a close 23–20 contest. Burrow's 19 sacks taken during that postseason broke the playoff record previously held by quarterback Wade Wilson. Burrow ranked 21st on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2022.
Division Champions Again (2022)
Before the 2022 season, Burrow needed emergency surgery to remove his appendix. After a tough start, Burrow found his rhythm. In Week 6, he returned to Louisiana to play against the New Orleans Saints in the Caesars Superdome, tossing two touchdowns to his former college teammate Ja'Marr Chase. The next week against the Atlanta Falcons, Burrow threw for 481 yards.
In Week 13, Burrow defeated the Chiefs 27–24 for his third straight win against them. Two weeks later against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Burrow led the Bengals back from a 17–3 halftime hole, tossing four second-half scores to win 34–23. In Week 17, the Bengals faced the Buffalo Bills, but the contest stopped when safety Damar Hamlin needed emergency medical care on the field.
Cincinnati won the AFC North division crown for the second straight year. In the playoffs, Burrow defeated Baltimore and Buffalo. However, the Bengals fell 23–20 in a rematch against the Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game. Burrow was named to the Pro Bowl and finished sixth on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2023.
Wrist Injury Battle (2023)
In September 2023, Burrow signed a massive five-year contract extension worth $275 million, making him the highest-paid player in football history at the time. He surpassed quarterback Justin Herbert in annual earnings. In Week 8, Burrow completed 19 passes in a row to defeat the San Francisco 49ers 31–17.
During Week 11 against the Ravens, Burrow hurt his right wrist. Medical scans showed a torn wrist ligament, requiring surgery that ended his season. Despite being unable to play, Burrow cheered on backup quarterback Jake Browning and helped coaches plan plays from the sidelines. Fellow NFL players voted Burrow 39th on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2024.
Second Comeback and Leading the League (2024)
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Burrow returned fully healthy for 2024. In Week 5, he threw five touchdown passes in a wild 41–38 shootout against Baltimore. Against the New York Giants, Burrow shocked defenders with a career-long 47-yard touchdown run. In Week 9, Burrow threw five more touchdowns against the Raiders.
Burrow became the first quarterback ever to throw for over 300 yards and three touchdowns without an interception in back-to-back regulation losses against Baltimore and the Chargers. Down the stretch, Burrow led the Bengals on a fiery five-game winning streak. Against the Denver Broncos, he threw for 412 yards and four scores. Burrow finished 2024 with 4,918 passing yards and 43 touchdowns, leading the entire NFL in both stats. He joined legends Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers as the only quarterbacks with 4,500 yards, 40 touchdowns, and under 10 interceptions in a season. Burrow won his second Comeback Player of the Year award, joining Chad Pennington as the only two-time winners. Burrow ranked sixth on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2025.
Recent Seasons and Awards (2025–2026)
During the 2025 campaign, Burrow suffered a painful joint sprain known as turf toe in Week 2 against the Jaguars. The foot problem required surgery and kept him out of action for three months. Burrow returned on Thanksgiving Day, throwing two touchdowns to beat the Ravens 32–14. In Week 16, he racked up 309 yards and four scores against the Miami Dolphins. He earned his third Pro Bowl selection and won the NFL's George Halas Award for his courage. In early 2026, Burrow also participated in the Fanatics Flag Football Classic and shared his dream of competing for the United States men's national flag football team at the 2028 Summer Olympics.
What Makes Joe Burrow an Elite Quarterback?
Football Smarts and Chess
Coaches and players respect Burrow's sharp mind and quick thinking. When he played for LSU, passing coordinator Joe Brady and coach Steve Ensminger let Burrow design plays and change plans right before the snap. TV analyst Kirk Herbstreit described Burrow as a "co-offensive coordinator" on the field.
Burrow loves playing chess to keep his brain quick. He keeps a chessboard right by his football locker and often plays games online before kickoff. His former teammate Chidobe Awuzie pointed out that playing chess helps Burrow spot defensive patterns and solve problems on the field in a split second.
Throwing Accuracy and Moving in the Pocket
Burrow is widely known for delivering footballs into tiny windows where only his receiver can catch them. Coach Brian Callahan praised Burrow for throwing with pinpoint accuracy while running outside the pocket. Sportswriters note how Burrow steps around charging defenders to escape sacks and buy extra time.
Cool Leadership and Style
Burrow's calm confidence inspires teammates. Defensive star Patrick Mahomes praised Burrow's special gift for leading others. Former teammate Mike Daniels shared that Burrow was voted a team captain as a rookie before ever playing a single regular-season game. Football writer Peter King praised Burrow's tough mindset. That ice-cold focus under pressure is how Burrow earned his famous nicknames: "Joe Cool" and "Joe Brrr."
Life Off the Football Field
Burrow enjoys learning about business and saved his entire football salary when he entered the pros, living only on his sponsorship deals. During college, he worked a summer internship at the financial firm Goldman Sachs. In 2023, Burrow teamed up with sports stars like Blake Griffin and Kevin Gausman to purchase a 104-acre farm in northern Iowa.
When relaxing, Burrow loves playing video games. He enjoys playing Super Smash Bros. Ultimate with teammates on team airplane flights, often picking the character Ness. Burrow is also a huge fan of music artist Kid Cudi, who named a song after him. A big movie fan, Burrow bought a custom collector's replica of the famous Batmobile from The Dark Knight films.
Burrow also uses his public voice to help others. He speaks out against poverty in small towns and supports stronger community safety measures to protect children and schools.
Images for kids
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Burrow playing college football for LSU in 2018
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Burrow speaking during an interview in 2022
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See also
In Spanish: Joe Burrow para niños
