From Bulldog to Bengal: The Joe Burrow Story Through the Eyes of His Hometown

by Scott Burson, Sam Smathers

From Bulldog to Bengal is the remarkable story of Joe Burrow, a small-town boy whose hard work, stoic nature and mental tenacity have taken him to the top of the football mountain. Burrow has ascended to the peak, but not without challenges. His story includes doubters and recruiting snubs. It includes waiting for a turn that would never come at Ohio State. It includes placing a bet on himself and transferring to LSU. It includes a devastating injury and the toughest test of his life. Ultimately, this is a story about staying grounded. Burrow has made it to the top of the mountain by keeping his head out of the clouds and feet firmly planted in Southeastern Ohio soil. From shining a light on food insecurity during his Heisman speech to wearing clothing and cleats designed by hometown kids, Burrow has never forgotten his roots and those who have helped him along the way. This book is a celebration of Joe Burrow’s first twenty-five years. And you’re invited to the party.

329 pages, Paperback

Published April 25, 2023

Reviews

[Emma Dault · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love Joe Burrow, you will love him even more after reading this book. WHO DEY!

[Audrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s definitely a book for football fans that like Joe Burrow instead of a book for people who like Joe Burrow and will learn about football for him. And boy - did I learn about football.

[James Blackburn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for any Burrow or Bengals Fan

[Dan Darragh · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's hard to believe that I could learn something about Joe Burrow, having been a Bengals fan since the franchise began. Not only that but I graduated from Ohio University in Athens where Burrow grew up and played his high school ball, so I knew the area well where he came fom. I realized there are a lot of similarities between Athens, Ohio, and Franklin, Ohio, where I grew up and still live. Burrow, of course, was a star high school basketball player as well as a football player and he was pretty good at baseball, too. He was apparently well-liked and respected in school, and the town got behind him all the way during his high school days and when he took LSU to the national championship and then was drafted by the Bengals. He was Ohio's Mr. Football his junior and senior years.
Our hometown here is named Lance Kennard, who also played football and basketball as well as other sports, was well-liked and a top student. He likely could have gotten a nice football scholarship but decided to concentrate on basketball his senior year and went to Duke on basketball scholarship and was drafted in the first round by the Detroit Pistons. If you wanted to watch Kennard play in high school, you had to come to the game early and sit through the freshman and JV games in order to get a seat for the varsity game. When he was in college people signed up for cable service that coveredd Duke's games and many went to local bars and pizza house to wath the games on TV Like Burrow, he's had to deal with injuries and hasn't become quite the star Burrow is.
Bottom line, if you come from a small town and happen to have one of your kids set all kinds of local records and then go on the stardom in college and play in the pros it makes you feel proud of your town and its people.
I would have probably given the book five stars, except so much of the book was about how he led Athens, LSU and Cincinnati to victories, but I probably watched every Bengals game he played in as well as his amazing run to lead the Tigers to the college championship. In addition, I knew a lot about his background because of the media coverage we get.

[Tim Baumgartner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since I was born and raised in the Nati, I still remember back in middle school where my friend Marcus' mom and dad, who worked for Metro (city bus service) enabled us to attend rally's for Bengals when they were in the playoffs making their Super Bowl run with Boomer Esiason in 1988-89.

While the Bengals won division titles and went back to the playoffs several times since then, it wasn't until Joe Burrow stepped onto the scene as QB till they actually WON a playoff game (and returned to the Super Bowl).

This was a fascinating book that made me respect Burrow even more, by hearing things from his first football coach, Sam Smathers (who co-authored), in his hometown of Athens, Ohio (east of Cincinnati).

What was impressive was the potential, the leadership, the fearlessness, the competitiveness, the maturity, etc. from so early. There were so many anecdotes throughout from parents of friends, coaches, and teammates, etc. that just really painted a clear picture of the type of person he has been throughout his life.

Page 80 goes into detail about how his high school team lost in regionals and went back to work, ALL learning the playbook left and right, working hard into the summer, repeating things over and over until things were perfect in order to make it to the state (which they did)...is it any surprise that the culture of the Bengals has changed since they drafted him?

I didn't realize that he was so smart in the classroom. He would take notes in class, go home and re-write them to process things even further--impressive!

Overall, his story is not over and I'm hoping the Bengals can make history and win their FIRST Super Bowl in team history--we have the deepest team we've EVER had!

[Dustin · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a nostalgic read as I was on the coaching staff of Burrow’s youth team. I had moved to Pittsburgh and then ultimately to Japan for the rest of Burrow’s career but I didn’t stop following the team. I was able to watch them one final time before I left for Japan. I remember a lot of what was mentioned regarding his youth football years so I found myself reminiscing about that time. This book is different than other books about such people as it’s from the voices of the people around Joe and not from Joe himself. And knowing many of those people mentioned in the book, I know it’s authentic.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I already knew about Joe Burrow when I started reading this book. After all, he's not only a Heisman Trophy Winner and the Bengals' Star Quarterback, but he also graduated from Athens High School, which is in the same athletic conference as the high school that I graduated from (although I'm about 25 years older than him!)

Still, I learned a lot from this book - about him, his family, his friends, his coaches & teammates, and others around him!

A well-told biography that includes many b&w photos scattered throughout the book!

[Greg Love · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you like, or want to get to know more about Joe Burrow, this one will be right down your alley. It is all things Joe Burrow from a sports perspective, beginning with his earliest sports teams in his hometown of Athens Ohio. It is told from the perspective of his coaches along the way, his friends, team members, and parents of team members. Being a serious Bengals fan, I am so glad to have him as our quarterback. The only thing that’ll stop him from being a winner would be injury. Who Dey!

[Brock Rubin · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s pretty strange to read these books now about people I would consider role models and realize that I’m their age 😂 but, I’m grateful for people like Joe. The outliers are what push us forward, and it’s even cooler when they’re good people.

Thanks Joe for winning football games for the Bengals.
But, also, thanks for knowing its bigger than yourself.

[Donna Burtch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scott Burson and Sam Smathers put heart and soul into telling the story of Joe Burrow--through the eyes of "his hometown." Joe is a complete standout person and it was fascinating to read how he developed as a person and as a football phenom.

[Madison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joe Byrrow... !! !

[Cory Scharwarth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book to learn about Joe Burrow’s career & upbringing!

[Brooke Cramer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned a lot even though I already knew a lot. But obvi this gets 5/5 bc it’s Joe Burrow!

[Quentin Koch · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is good

[Marquis Netter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who Dey

[Bailee Estep · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Joe Burrow even more after reading this book!

[David L · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a Steelers fan and I hate the Bengals, but I respect Burrow! This is a very good read!