Robin Burrow, mother of Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, shared insights into her son‘s emotional journey since the 2020 NFL draft, highlighting the nerves he experienced during the pivotal moment. Joe Burrow signed a significant five-year contract extension worth $275 million with the Bengals in September 2023, underscoring his impact on the franchise.
In an interview with FOX19 NOW in Cincinnati, Robin reflected on the night of the draft, which took place amid the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. She recounted how the event marked a turning point for the Burrow family, as the hopes and hard work leading up to the draft culminated in that defining moment five years ago.
“We were trying to stay quiet and calm so that Joe could kind of do his Joe thing which was is always kind of be in the zone and focus,” she said. “I felt like he was a little nervous, probably more excited, but he had some nerves for sure … just so proud of him and thinking about all the hard work that he had put in and there he was, it’s amazing.”
—Robin Burrow, Mother of Joe Burrow
Balancing the Public Image and Personal Side of Joe Burrow
Robin detailed the contrast between her son’s public identity as “Superstar Joe” and the private bond they share as a family. Despite Burrow’s elevated status as a leading NFL quarterback, she emphasized that to them, he remains their child, and the emotions surrounding his performances carry the same weight they did in his youth.
She shared that while the intensity of the games and stakes have grown dramatically, the core experiences of pride and nervousness as parents watching their son compete remain unchanged after all these years.
“For me, Superstar Joe is one person, and then our Joey is another person,” she said. “He’s still just our son and we’re still just as nervous every single game, proud of him every single game, as we were when he was eight years old. I think, as a parent, it’s the same across many, many years. Certainly, it is a lot more intense now, but it’s still the same feeling.”
—Robin Burrow, Mother of Joe Burrow
How Joe Burrow’s Growth Shapes Bengals’ Draft Strategies
Joe Burrow’s established role as the Bengals’ franchise quarterback has influenced the team’s approach to drafting. An NFL executive told The Athletic that teams with elite quarterbacks like Burrow can afford to select players with great upside but limited proven performance, trusting the quarterback to provide stability while young players develop.
This philosophy was obvious in Cincinnati’s 2025 draft decisions, where the Bengals chose promising talents such as first-round defensive end Shemar Stewart and linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr., aiming to build around their franchise cornerstone.
Joe Burrow’s emotional journey since the 2020 draft, marked by his steady growth and milestone contract extension, continues to be a source of inspiration for his family and a foundation for the Bengals’ future success.