LOS ANGELES | Before Joe Burrow at the Super Bowl in Los Angeles, there was Jim Burrow at the Gray Cup in Montreal. The son finds himself under the Californian sun at the top of the NFL, while the father negotiated with the harsh Quebec winter, in the CFL. What they have in common is a deep desire to bring a second professional championship to the family, 45 years later.
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On November 27, 1977, on the completely frozen ground of the Olympic Stadium, the Alouettes smashed the Edmonton Eskimos 41-6 to clinch the Gray Cup. Eighth round choice by the Packers, in the NFL, it is rather in the Quebec metropolis that Jim Burrow experienced the euphoria of a championship.
Due to the extreme weather conditions, this game entered Canadian League legend by being nicknamed the Ice Bowl.
“Joe knows a lot about my time in the CFL. My son Jamie was born while I was playing in LA and my other son Dan was born while I was playing in Ottawa. »
“We often talk about my time in Canada. We talked a few times about the rule differences and watched games on TV. Joe also met Doug Flutie at the Heisman Trophy presentation (in 2019). He probably knows more about the CFL than any other of his teammates, “played the father of the famous Bengals quarterback, during an interview this week.
Anxious times
After six seasons in Canada, including three full seasons in Montreal, Burrow became a coach on the American college scene. From 2005 to 2018, he was defensive coordinator for the Ohio Bobcats.
If he stopped everything, it was to follow more closely the exploits of his son Joe, when the latter made the jump from Ohio State to LSU. In 2019 he won the NCAA national championship.
“We thought we had experienced everything at the national championship, but this time, it’s amazing. We didn’t realize the full magnitude of what the Super Bowl represents and the fact that Joe is there,” said Jim, who admits his nerves are playing tricks on him.
“I told myself that after all the games I took part in as a player and coach, the nervousness wouldn’t get to me, but on the contrary, it intensified. It’s to the point where my wife and I get very anxious. It will only be magnified for the Super Bowl. »
A grateful son
Even if Joe Burrow retired to his bubble this week, far from his father’s past exploits, he did not hesitate to speak of the latter’s contribution to his development, when Le Journal managed to slip him a question during a huge press scrum.
“He was a coach, so football was always an integral part of my life growing up. He taught me to be tough and always work hard. »
“I loved listening to his stories growing up. It was exciting for me to know that my father had been a professional player who had taken part in such big games. I haven’t been to Canada yet, but it’s part of my plans eventually,” he said.
A family routine
Today, Jim Burrow will stick to his routine by texting his son some advice. Just as faithful to his routine, Joe Burrow will not answer him!
“His mum and I, we text him to remind him to make good decisions and protect the ball, for example. He never answers because he stays in his bubble, but we think he reads them. Once, after a match, I asked him if he had read my message. He replied: ” Dad, I know very well what to do, but thank you! ” We know all that, but it became comforting to write to him, ”explained Jim.
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In the field as in life
Photo: AFP
Joe Burrow flaunted his finest “Joe Cool” tunes during his press briefing on Friday.
LOS ANGELES | All week ahead of the Super Bowl, Bengals players have been talking about the reassuring effect Joe Burrow gives them with his calm approach to every situation. His father Jim adds that even away from the field, this trait of his personality has always been present.
Not for nothing do many like to nickname him “Joe Cool 2.0”, a nod to the legendary former quarterback of the 49ers Joe Montana, who was unfazed.
Time and time again this season, that quality has come out in Burrow’s game.
and in its decision-making. Faced with the Chiefs in the final of the American conference, when everything seemed to be collapsing around him, he never gave in to panic.
“It’s his personality. He always had the same temperament,” confided to the Newspaper the one who saw him grow up and who is best placed to discuss it.
“Joe naturally exudes a lot of confidence. It’s not a character. On the pitch, the reason he is so calm is that he is extremely well prepared. When he finds himself in a situation where the pressure could be overwhelming, he knows exactly how to react,” he continued.
A different style
Very often, great players have been recognized by a very vocal form of leadership. Dozens of times, the Tom Bradys and Peyton Mannings of this world have cheered the troops on.
“Joe’s leadership style has never been to get fired up. He has his moments when he shows more emotions, but they are rather rare, ”said the father.
For his part, Joe Burrow believes rather that it is simply necessary to know how to read what each situation commands.
“I try to stay calm. As a quarterback, there are times when you have to be fiery and other times when you just have to be a reassuring presence. I think the job of a quarterback is to understand that every situation can call for a different style. »
An asset in healing
In the eyes of Jim Burrow, it was precisely this zen personality that helped his son not sink into discouragement last year when a knee injury abruptly ended his rookie season.
“Several people were saying that he wouldn’t be back in time for the start of the season or that he wouldn’t be the same. From the moment he heard the doubts about him, it motivated him even more to come back strong. »
“He really worked hard. When you suffer such an injury, there are times when you see no progress and the weeks seem endless. It was once again his calm that served him well. He did his business and followed the instructions to the letter. »
Beautiful invasion
LOS ANGELES | Legions of Bengals fans have been hitting town in Los Angeles in the past few days. For the occasion, no less than 33 direct flights from Cincinnati would have been added to the usual offer this week. Bengals fans haven’t seen the Super Bowl since the 1988 season, so it’s no wonder they’re taking the city by storm. We will have to see what their impact will be during the match. Like every year, many want to be on the Super Bowl site, without necessarily paying for tickets for the game. It will be hard to top what the Seahawks fans did in New York at Super Bowl 48. They were countless and extremely loud. To be continued…
Immortal Robitaille
Around the Crypto.com Arena, some great stars of Los Angeles sports history have been immortalized with splendid statues. Since 2015, the most productive left winger in NHL history, Luc Robitaille, has been part of it. And what a statue! From a height of 19 feet, it is difficult to miss the Quebecer, who proudly raises the stick in the air, on its granite base. The colors of the white, black and silver uniform are reproduced beautifully. Robitaille finds himself in good company alongside Wayne Gretzky and Lakers big names Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
golden business
Ticket prices make headlines every year, but be aware that those keen to drive to SoFi Stadium will need to unfold the tickets. On the resale sites, parking spaces are available for the modest sum of $370… 1.5 km from the stadium. On the site itself, it could cost up to $4000. During our media tour of the stadium on Tuesday, already a few residents of the neighborhood around the stadium were indicating on signs that they were offering parking on their lot for $200. A godsend, under the circumstances! Another offered the possibility of parking five cars, for $1,000. All the ways to monetize the Super Bowl are good.