And the curse continues! Thoughts and prayers go out to our quarterback, Joe Burrow, after suffering a torn ACL in Sunday's loss to the Washington Football Team. Burrow is just the latest in a long line of Cincinnati athletes to be injured while on the verge of doing something great. He joins Carson Palmer who, undoubtedly, was going to win a playoff game over the Steelers, Andy Dalton (yes Dalton), who also had a great chance to win a playoff game, and Kenyon Martin (#1 player in the country), who could have led the Bearcats to a Final Four, or further. So, while not shocking, still heartbreaking.
Before his injury, Joe was on pace to throw for more than 4,000 yards and 20+ touchdowns in his rookie season. It would have been considered one of the best statistical rookie seasons by a quarterback in NFL history. The only quarterback to throw for 4,000 yards in their rookie season was Cam Newton with 4,021 and Burrow was on pace to throw for around 4,300 yards.
I realize that the Bengals had no chance of making the playoffs this year, and therefore no chance of winning a playoff game, but Burrow brought a lot of excitement for the future. As a fan, you had to start thinking that the drought was nearing its end when you watched Joe on the field on Sundays. Let's all just pray for a speedy recovery and hope we see Joe back on the field at the start of next season, alongside a top 5 draft pick that will hopefully be his new best friend and protector of his blind side, Penei Sewell from Oregon.
For now, let's get through the remainder of this season without further injury, and get ready to come back next season ready to roll. Get better soon Joe, and Who-Dey!!
