NFL Quarterback for Cincinnati Bengals

Joe Burrow | Biography

Professional American Football Player

• By Anil Pradhan
• Update : April 13, 2022

---

Joseph Lee Burrow is a famous American Football player. He is the NFL quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals.

Who is Joseph Lee Burrow?

Joseph Lee Burrow is a young American quarterback of the American football. He currently represents the NFL team Cincinnati Bengals. Prior to joining the Bengals, he also represented his high school football team at Athens High School in Ohio, Ohio State College, and Louisiana State University.

First Overall Pick in 2020 NFL Draft

The American football star began his professional NFL career with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2020. The Bengals selected Burrow as the first overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Moreover, out of 58 players drafted that season, he was the only rookie quarterback to start right on the opening week.

As a rookie, Burrow played with the Bengals until Week 11. Then, he was the favorite in the title race for the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award. However, his award run was cut short by an injury in the second half of the 11th NFL Week in 2020. During the match with the Washington Football Team, he suffered a blow resulting in an ACL and MCL tear in his left knee.

Burrow returned from the injury and joined the Bengals squad for Week 1 of the 2021-2022 season. In Week 4, he won the AFC Offensive Player of the Week award. Moreover, he led the team to their first-ever playoff win since 1990 and first Super Bowl games after 1988.

He Picked Up An Injury in the Super Bowl Tournament

Burrow played a key role in landing a place for his team Cincinnati Bengals, in the Super Bowl 2021-2022. However, the team lost their game against the Los Angeles Rams in the fourth quarter of the Super Bowl in February 2022. Burrow suffered a knee injury in the same match while being sacked by the opposition.

As per the report published on The Sporting News on 16 February 2022, Burrow had just suffered a sprain in the knee, and it did not require any surgical treatments. In an interview with CBS Sports, the Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said,

“Joe had the sprained MCL, and that's really a reaggravation of something he did back in December. But he's a tough guy. He played through it.”

Burrow Was Born into an Athletic Family

Joseph Lee Burrow comes from a lineage of an athletic family. He was born to his parents Jim Burrow, a former American Football player and coach, and Robin Burrow, on 10 December 1996 in Ames, Iowa. His father had a four decades-long footballing career.

Similarly, his paternal grandparents were also both into sports. They both played basketball for Mississippi State High School. Moreover, his grandmother has a record of 82 points game while playing for the Mississippi State High School basketball team. 

Burrow also has two older brothers who are football players as well. However, further information about his brothers is not found in any authentic sources.

He Changed His Name To Burreaux

In his final game for the Louisiana State University (LSU) in 2019, Burrow wore a jersey that read his last name as Burreaux instead of his actual name “Burrow.” He later confirmed that the alternate spelling on his jersey was his way of giving respect to the state and Louisiana Cajun heritage for embracing him.

As per the tweet by ESPN reporter Marty Smith, Burrow himself approached the LSU equipment with the idea of changing his name for the 2019 Senior Night Game. Marty’s tweet read,

"Joe Burrow showed his deep gratitude to the @LSUfootball faithful by wearing a “Burreaux” jersey for his senior night introduction in Death Valley tonight. The idea was Burrow’s alone. He approached @LSUFBEquipment with the idea earlier this week.”

Burrow’s Multi-Million Dollar Contract

Burrow landed a multi-million dollar deal with the Cincinnati Bengals after being picked in the 2020 NFL Draft. He signed a four-year contract, which included an option to extend it for one more year. 

The monetary value of the contract is approximately $36 million. It includes $23.8 million as the signing bonus and an annual salary amounting to $9 million. Thus, after two seasons with the Bengals, celebritynetworth.com has estimated Burrow’s net worth to be $10 million.

Burrow is Dating His College Sweetheart

The Bengals QB shares a romantic relationship with his longtime girlfriend, Olivia Holzmacher. There is no verified report revealing information regarding their first meeting. However, they have been together since they were both students at the Ohio State High School.

On game days, Olivia is often present in the stands supporting her boyfriend Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals team. Most recently, i.e., in February 2022, NBC’s camera operator spotted her watching the Super Bowl LVI game by sitting in between Burrow’s parents. Moreover, Olivia regularly shares his pictures from the game days on her Instagram handle @oliviaholzmacher.