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 for the Cincinnati Bengals. He gained prominence playing college football, first for Ohio State and then LSU, where he won the Heisman Trophy and a national championship in his senior year. Burrow was subsequently drafted first overall by the Bengals in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Sections (4)

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

1987: Wade Wilson's Playoff Sack Record

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

1990: End of Bengals' Playoff Win Drought

In 1990, the Bengals' playoff win drought, which had been active since the 1990 season, came to an end with a 26–19 win against the Las Vegas Raiders in the Wild Card Round.

1990: Ended Playoff Drought

In 2021, Joe Burrow led the Bengals to their first playoff win since 1990, ending the longest active drought in the four major North American sports.

1993: Most Sacks in Playoff Game

In 1993, Burrow tied Warren Moon for the most times sacked in a playoff game with nine sacks.

2001: Most Passing Yards in School History

In a Week 2 road trip to ninth-ranked Texas in 2019, Burrow threw for 471 yards, four touchdowns, and an interception. His 471 yards were the second-most in school history and the most since Rohan Davey's 528 against Alabama in 2001.

2006: Tied for Largest Comeback in Conference Championship

In 2006, the Bengals overcame a 21–3 deficit to win 27–24 in overtime. The 18-point comeback was tied with the Indianapolis Colts in 2006 for the largest in a conference championship.

2006: Broke Brennan's Record

Joe Burrow finished his 2019 season with 60 passing touchdowns, which broke the single-season FBS record previously set by Colt Brennan's 58 in 2006.

2009: Record for Passing Yards

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

2015: Bengals clinch AFC North and Playoff Berth

The next week against the Kansas City Chiefs, Burrow threw for 446 yards, four touchdowns, and no interceptions in the 34–31 win. The win helped the Bengals clinch the AFC North and a playoff berth for the first time since 2015.

2018: Named LSU's Starting Quarterback

In 2018, Joe Burrow was named the starting quarterback for LSU as a redshirt junior. He led the Tigers to a 10-3 record and a Fiesta Bowl win.

December 14, 2019: Awarded 2019 Heisman Trophy

On December 14, 2019, Joe Burrow was awarded the 2019 Heisman Trophy and received many other awards during college football award season. His Heisman acceptance speech referred to the rampant poverty and food insecurity affecting his hometown; shortly after his speech, the Athens County food bank was the recipient of $450,000 in donations.

December 2019: School Football Stadium Renamed

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

2019: College Football Playoff Semifinal Game

During LSU's College Football Playoff semifinal game against fourth-ranked Oklahoma in the 2019 Peach Bowl, Burrow threw for seven touchdowns during the first half of the contest and had a total of 493 passing yards – along with scoring a rushing touchdown – in a 63–28 victory for the Tigers. Burrow's eight total touchdowns were all scored within the first 35 minutes of the 60-minute game, after which he was taken out for the sake of giving him rest.

2019: Named LSU's Starting Quarterback and SEC Co-Offensive Player of the Week

In 2019, Joe Burrow was named LSU's starting quarterback. In the season opener against Georgia Southern, Burrow threw for 278 yards and five touchdowns and was named SEC Co-Offensive Player of the Week.

2019: Set Single-Season Passing Touchdowns Record

Joe Burrow finished his 2019 season with 60 passing touchdowns, which broke the single-season FBS record previously set by Colt Brennan's 58 in 2006.

2020: Selected first overall in the 2020 NFL draft

In 2020, Joe Burrow was selected first overall by the Cincinnati Bengals in the NFL draft after a successful college football career.

2020: Won National Championship Game

In the 2020 National Championship Game against Clemson, Joe Burrow led LSU to a 42-25 victory, and he was named the game's offensive MVP.

2021: Tied Total Touchdowns Record

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

2021: Breakout season and Comeback Player of the Year award

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

2022: Ranked 21st in NFL Top 100 Players of 2022

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

2023: Signed Largest Contract and Led Division

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

2023: Ranked 6th in NFL Top 100 Players of 2023

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

2024: Led the League in Passing Despite Missing Playoffs

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