| Human Profile | |
| Name: | Joseph Lee Burrow |
| Birthday: | December 10, 1996 (age 29 years), Born in Ames, Iowa |
| Height: | 6'4" (193 cm) |
| Education: | Athens High School (Diploma) Ohio State University (BS), Consumer and Family Financial Services Louisiana State University (MA), Liberal Arts |
Overview
Joe Burrow is an American football quarterback celebrated for his record-setting collegiate career at LSU, where he won the Heisman Trophy and a National Championship, and as the first overall pick for the Cincinnati Bengals, whom he led to Super Bowl LVI, earned NFL Comeback Player of the Year, and became one of the highest-paid players in league history.
Latest News (Feb 3, 2026): Joe Burrow was recently added to the AFC roster for the 2026 Pro Bowl Games in San Francisco, joining teammates Joe Flacco and Ja'Marr Chase for the flag football and skills competitions at the Moscone Center. On social media, he broke a long hiatus to weigh in on divisional-round officiating, stating he agreed with the controversial calls and sparking widespread debate among fans.
Early Life and Athletic Heritage
Joseph Lee Burrow was born on December 10, 1996, in Ames, Iowa. His family has a strong athletic background, with his father, Jim Burrow, being a former professional football player and a long-time college football coach. This environment deeply influenced his upbringing. His paternal grandmother was a standout basketball player in high school, and his two older brothers, Jamie and Dan, both played college football at Nebraska.
The family moved as his father’s coaching career progressed, eventually settling in Athens, Ohio. Burrow attended Athens High School, where he excelled as a multi-sport athlete. On the football field, he was a standout quarterback, leading the team to three consecutive playoff appearances. In his senior year in 2014, he was honored as Ohio’s Mr. Football and the Gatorade Player of the Year. Beyond football, he was also a first-team all-state point guard in basketball.
Collegiate Career at Ohio State and LSU
Burrow began his college football career at Ohio State University. After redshirting his first year and serving as a backup for two seasons, he made the decision to transfer. As a graduate transfer, he enrolled at Louisiana State University (LSU).
His first season with LSU in 2018 showed promise, as he led the team to a 10-3 record. However, it was his senior season in 2019 that marked a historic breakthrough. Burrow produced one of the most celebrated seasons for a quarterback in college football history. He passed for 5,671 yards and a then-record 60 touchdowns, leading the LSU Tigers to an undefeated 15-0 season. His performance earned him the Heisman Trophy, which he won by the largest margin in the award’s history. That season, he also collected numerous other accolades, including the Maxwell Award, Walter Camp Award, and AP College Football Player of the Year.
2019 National Championship
The culmination of Joseph Lee Burrow’s stellar college career was leading LSU to victory in the College Football Playoff National Championship. In the playoff semifinal against Oklahoma, he threw for seven touchdowns in the first half alone. He followed that performance in the championship game against Clemson, where he threw for 463 yards and was responsible for six touchdowns, securing a 42-25 victory for LSU. He was named the offensive MVP of the championship game.
Professional Career with the Cincinnati Bengals
Joseph Lee Burrow was selected as the first overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals. His rookie season began with him as the starter, but it was cut short by a significant knee injury in the tenth game.
He returned the following season and had a remarkable comeback. He led the NFL in completion percentage and guided the Bengals to their first playoff victory in 31 years and an appearance in Super Bowl LVI, where they were defeated by the Los Angeles Rams. For his efforts, he was named the NFL Comeback Player of the Year.
Subsequent seasons have seen him earn Pro Bowl selections and continue to be a leader for the Bengals. In 2023, he signed a five-year, $275 million contract extension, which at the time made him the highest-paid player in NFL history on an annual basis. His professional career has also been marked by other injuries that have caused him to miss playing time.