CHARLOTTE, North Carolina – Cincinnati Bengals Quarterback Joe Burrow isn’t one to give pregame speeches. But on this special Sundayhe changed his mind.
With the score 0-3 facing a must-win game in Charlotte in Week 4, Burrow led his team with a pregame speech before the team left the locker room. His message was short and sweet.
“He said what we’re all thinking,” Bengals center Ted Karras said of Burrow’s pregame speech. “We are fighting for our lives here; it was appropriate and the guys were ready to go.
Burrow would not divulge any details about his speech when asked about it after the game. He said he prefers to keep his message in-house and was inspired to do so when he arrived at Bank of America Stadium.
After the disappointing loss to the Washington Commanders on national television in Week 3, Burrow hinted that perhaps it was time for him to take on more of a leadership role with his team.
“I just felt like I had something to say,” Burrow said of his pregame speech. “I’m not going to go out of my way to be something I’m not, but when I have something to say, I’m definitely going to step up and say it.”
Burrow’s pregame speech paid off as the Bengals earned their first victory against the Carolina Panthers. The Bengals face the Baltimore Ravens (1-2) at Paycor Stadium next week and will need a similar performance from Burrow and Co. on offense as Cincinnati’s defense continues to struggle.
In the 34-24 win over the Panthers, Burrow completed 22 of 31 passes for 232 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
This article originally appeared on the Cincinnati Enquirer: Bengals postgame interview, Joe Burrow pregame speech
