Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow has a resounding message for all young athletes: Be a real one.
Burrow is set to play in the biggest game of his life when the Bengals face the Rams in the Super Bowl on Sunday, and he wants the world to know he didn’t get this far by posting his workouts on social media.
The Heisman Trophy winner has played in several “must-win” games already, and his steely mindset reveals just how dedicated Burrow is to improving his game. He puts in the work, day in and day out, and he wants the next generation of athletes to do the same — just don’t post about it.
In a virtual interview for Super Bowl Media Day, Burrow had this to say to athletes looking to follow in his footsteps.
Joe Burrow's advice to kids: "Don’t have a workout and post it on Instagram the next day and then go sit on your butt the next day and everyone thinks you’re working hard but you’re not. Work in silence. ... Don’t worry about all that social media stuff.”
— Jeff Schultz (@JeffSchultzATL) February 7, 2022
Smart guy.
Cincinnati Bengals’ Joe Burrow wants young athletes to focus on themselves
It’s a valuable lesson that could separate the athletes who go pro and those who don’t.
Burrow’s clutch performances in the 2021 season were the product of hard work and confidence, and now he gets a shot at winning his first Super Bowl, hopefully the first of many to come.
Burrow has helped orchestrate one of the league’s most impressive franchise turnarounds in history, and while he has had plenty of help along the way, he’s also grown to be a top-five quarterback.
He went toe-to-toe with Mahomes. He could get sacked any number of times and still get up and throw the perfect ball. He has a higher pass completion percentage than anyone in the league.
Young Bengals fans and NFL fans across the country marvel at his ability to perform under pressure, his accuracy in and out of the pocket, his toughness and his resilience. All those qualities aren’t necessarily innate — they’re earned through grueling hours of training and focusing on how one can be the best and most fierce competitor in any given scenario.
Burrow has always let his play do the talking, and it shows. Come Sunday, he gets to reap his rewards and showcase his talent on the national stage. It’s the moment he’s been preparing for his entire life.