Press Conference: Joe Burrow Embraces Madrid Spotlight, Praises Bengals’ Offensive Growth

SPEAKER_1 (0:00)

I mean, I think this is the biggest practice, as Jay pointed out, the biggest crowd you've ever had at a practice. What's this whole experience been like, the store power, all of that? Just how do you, how would you describe the whole experience?

Joe Burrow (0:08)

It's been a lot of fun. I, you know, it's just nice to break up the monotony of the season a little bit.

New faces, new places and new experiences, all while, you know, doing what we love. So, you know, I really enjoyed it.

SPEAKER_3 (0:25)

Hi, you're right here over the lift.

And I hope you're in Madrid. I want to ask you on a personal level, one mental process that you have to go through after so many injuries, after maybe losing the love of the game, to return to playing to the level you're playing right now, leading the league in touchdowns, and what message would you give to someone that is struggling with a situation similar that you had?

Joe Burrow (0:48)

Yeah, the mental process is always, it's always different.

Every injury that you have, you know, the first thing, I'm always just really mad and sad. I let myself feel those emotions, and then pretty quickly just get back to, get back to work. And, you know, I love what I do.

It's a physical, intense game, so injuries are going to happen. But, you know, if you love what you do, and you want to be better every single day, then, you know, once the rehab process is easy, once you can, you know, flip your mind to just try and get better, try and get back out there with your guys, and get back to what you were doing before. And, you know, fortunately, I've been able to improve after every injury that I've had. And I think, you know, with the rehab process, a lot of times those exercises that you're doing, hit muscles that you haven't quite worked that intensely as you are at the time, and that can, you know, help you come back better and stronger. So, it's always tough, but it is what it is.

SPEAKER_5 (2:19)

Joe?

Hi. What do you think makes this Bengals offense so dangerous? And second, a more personal question.

Joe Burrow (2:26)

I hope you don't mind.

Matt (2:28)

What's one thing fans would be surprised to know about you?

Joe Burrow (2:32)

Yeah, I think number one, we have great players, players that want to be great. We work really hard at it. We have coaches who want to put us in the best position to go and do what we do and utilize our strengths and minimize our weaknesses. And, you know, we've been playing together for a long time now, so we know how to play off of each other and compliment each other well. As far as a surprise, I'm full of surprises. I certainly don't share all of them, but let me think of one that I'll share with you guys. As far as a surprise.

I guess it might be a surprise to you, but not to the Ben Babies of the world. But I play a little piano, I build Legos, I play chess, I like art, I like music.

I certainly like more things than just football. Love that. Thank you.

SPEAKER_8 (3:43)

Joe, here obviously three wins, three scoring, three points or more. What's clicking on the offense that makes this team so special and so scary for other teams?

Joe Burrow (3:51)

Yeah, we're completing a lot of passes right now. Our offensive line is protecting great.

I think this is the best that that group has played since I've been here, which is really exciting to see. And, you know, a lot of our young players are getting better and better. And we have the right guys who attack every day with the intent to be better than the day before. And I think that is so valuable in this sport. A lot of guys just show up and are content with what their talent will bring every Sunday. And some guys aren't. And they want to come to work every day and be better.

Matt (4:35)

Hey, over here, Matt from After Food US from French media. You threw five touchdown passes and scored the game-winning touchdown in overtime against Tennessee.

What did that game tell you about the mentality and the resilience of your team?

Joe Burrow (4:49)

Yeah, that was a difficult game against a coaching staff and players that I have a lot of respect for.

You know, back-to-back games, we got down 13 to nothing and we were able to come back and fight back and win those games. You don't want to be in that spot, but when you do find yourself in that spot, you have no choice but to try to go and make plays to win. That's what we did. You know, we made some great adjustments in both games and certainly wasn't perfect, but we were able to do enough. You just got to learn from the mistakes and build on the positives and go from there.