Joe Burrow's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Joe Burrow.

Joe Burrow is a professional American football quarterback currently playing for the Cincinnati Bengals. He achieved significant success in college, playing for both Ohio State and LSU. During his senior year at LSU, he won the Heisman Trophy and led the team to a College Football Playoff National Championship. His outstanding college performance led to him being drafted first overall by the Bengals in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1987: Previous Playoff Record for Most Sacks

In 1987, Wade Wilson set the playoff record for most times sacked in a single postseason with 14 sacks, a record that Joe Burrow later surpassed.

1993: Tied for Most Sacks in a Playoff Game

In 1993, Warren Moon was sacked nine times in a playoff game, a record that Joe Burrow tied.

2001: Surpassed the LSU record for single-season passing yards

During the game against Ole Miss, Joe Burrow surpassed the LSU record for single-season passing yards set by Rohan Davey in 2001.

2001: Most Passing Yards in School History

In Week 2 against Texas, Burrow threw for 471 yards, the most since Rohan Davey's 528 against Alabama in 2001.

2006: Tied for Largest Comeback in Conference Championship

In 2006, the Indianapolis Colts had an 18-point comeback, which was later tied by the Bengals in a game where Joe Burrow played.

2006: Broke Colt Brennan's record

In 2019, Joe Burrow broke Colt Brennan's 2006 single-season FBS record for passing touchdowns.

2007: Tom Brady's Season

In 2007, Tom Brady achieved a season with at least 4,500 passing yards, 40 passing touchdowns, and fewer than 10 interceptions, a feat later matched by Joe Burrow.

2009: Tied for fourth most passing yards in a season

In the 2019 season, Joe Burrow's 5,671 passing yards is tied with Case Keenum in 2009 for fourth-most in an FBS season.

2011: Aaron Rodgers' Season

In 2011, Aaron Rodgers achieved a season with at least 4,500 passing yards, 40 passing touchdowns, and fewer than 10 interceptions, a feat later matched by Joe Burrow.

2015: Bengals first winning record since 2015

Against the Baltimore Ravens, Burrow helped the Bengals clinch their first winning record since the 2015 season.

2015: Bengals Clinched AFC North for first time since 2015

Against the Kansas City Chiefs, The win helped the Bengals clinch the AFC North and a playoff berth for the first time since 2015.

December 14, 2019: Won the Heisman Trophy

On December 14, 2019, Joe Burrow was awarded the 2019 Heisman Trophy. His acceptance speech highlighted poverty and food insecurity in his hometown, leading to $450,000 in donations to the Athens County food bank.

December 2019: School Stadium Renamed

In December 2019, the Athens City School District approved a measure to rename the school's football stadium in honor of Burrow.

2019: Record-Breaking Peach Bowl Performance

During LSU's College Football Playoff semifinal game against Oklahoma in the 2019 Peach Bowl, Joe Burrow threw for seven touchdowns in the first half and had a total of 493 passing yards, along with a rushing touchdown, resulting in a 63–28 victory.

2019: Named LSU Starting Quarterback

In 2019, Joe Burrow was named LSU's starting quarterback heading into his redshirt senior season and earned multiple SEC Offensive Player of the Week honors.

2019: Record-Breaking 2019 Season

Joe Burrow finished his 2019 season with 60 passing touchdowns, breaking the single-season FBS record. He also set an FBS single-season record with 65 total touchdowns. His passer rating of 202 for the season was a record at the time.

2019: Burrow's 2019 Season Draws Attention

Joe Burrow's 2019 season helped draw more attention to scouts to reconsider their evaluation of him.

2020: Finished Rookie Season

In 2020, Joe Burrow finished his rookie season with 264 completions for 2,688 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions. His interception percentage was the fourth lowest for a rookie in NFL history. The Bengals finished with a 4-11 record.

2020: Bengals select Burrow as top pick

In 2020, The Bengals selected Joe Burrow as the top pick in the NFL draft due to his football IQ, accuracy, pocket mobility, and playmaking ability.

2020: Won National Championship and Named Offensive MVP

In the 2020 National Championship Game against Clemson, Joe Burrow led LSU to a 42–25 victory, throwing for 463 yards with six total touchdowns, and was named the game's offensive MVP.

2021: Breakout Season and Comeback Player of the Year

In 2021, Burrow led the Bengals to their first playoff win since 1990 and a Super Bowl LVI appearance, earning him Comeback Player of the Year.

2021: Tied for FBS record with Bailey Zappe

In the 2019 season, Joe Burrow set an FBS single-season record with 65 total touchdowns, which was tied by Bailey Zappe in 2021.

2022: Ranked 21st on NFL Top 100 Players

In 2022, Joe Burrow was ranked 21st by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players list.

2023: Largest NFL Contract

In 2023, Burrow signed the largest contract in NFL history at the time in terms of annual salary and led the Bengals to their first consecutive division title.

2023: Ranked 6th on NFL Top 100 Players

In 2023, Joe Burrow was ranked 6th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players list, marking his first ever top ten placement.

2024: Passing Leader and Comeback Player of the Year

Despite the Bengals missing the playoffs in 2024, Burrow led the league in passing yards and touchdowns and won his second Comeback Player of the Year Award.

2024: First Win of the Season

In 2024, Joe Burrow and the Bengals won their first game of the season against the Carolina Panthers after an uncharacteristic pregame speech from Burrow.