SAD REPORT: “SUPERSTAR QB” Becomes Brutally Honest On Personal Crisis And Possible Early Retirement Looms
Following his most recent season-ending injury, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow shared an astounding statement regarding the thoughts that crossed his mind. Burrow is currently recovering from torn ligaments in his dominant right (throwing) wrist.
Joe Burrow has a long history of injuries
Burrow has a history of football-related injuries that extends beyond his time in the NFL. He dealt with a wrist fracture while at Ohio State and torn rib cartilage during his stint at LSU. His rookie season in 2021 was marred by an ACL tear, MCL tear, PCL tear, and torn meniscus, causing him to miss most of the season. Throughout the 2021 season, he also faced several minor injuries and sustained an MCL sprain during the Super Bowl. In the previous year, Burrow struggled with a calf strain that kept him out of much of the preseason and recurred in Week 2. Up until Week 11 of the 2023 season when he injured his wrist, Burrow had not missed a game.
Cincinnati Bengals QB has “football mortality” on his mind
According to a transcript of Burrow’s remarks published by the NFL’s website on Tuesday, the star quarterback admitted to contemplating his football mortality due to his numerous injuries. Reflecting on the accumulation of injuries, Burrow acknowledged that thoughts of his football mortality have crossed his mind. Despite facing this existential concern, he shared after a mandatory minicamp practice that he remains resolute and determined to overcome these challenges.
Although Burrow asserted that he is resilient and equipped to tackle the adversity posed by his injuries, he conceded that the mounting injuries present a significant challenge. This situation has led him to adjust his practice routine to ensure his readiness and peak performance.
Burrow emphasized that enduring injuries takes a toll on him mentally. He highlighted the difficulty of returning from injuries, mentioning the highs and lows of the recovery process. The quarterback revealed that in the past, he pushed through pain, which led to further complications, but he has adopted a more cautious approach this year to mitigate such risks.
Andrew Luck retired early due to injuries
In recent history, we witnessed a scenario where a prominent quarterback decided to retire prematurely due to recurrent injuries. Andrew Luck, the former first overall pick for the Indianapolis Colts in 2012, chose to retire after completing seven seasons in the NFL. Luck pointed to the ongoing cycle of injuries and rehabilitation as the primary reason for his early departure from professional football.
Burrow, at present, does not seem inclined to follow suit and retire during this offseason. He is diligently putting in the work to recover and make a comeback to lead the Bengals to a Super Bowl. Nevertheless, Burrow has acknowledged the possibility, albeit in a somewhat reserved manner, that he might need to retire early due to injuries.
The lingering question remains: how long will Burrow be able to push aside such considerations if, or rather when, he encounters another injury setback?