Joe Burrow Skips Turkey After Thanksgiving Victory

On November 27, the Cincinnati Bengals secured a Thanksgiving Day victory against the Baltimore Ravens, marking a significant milestone for quarterback Joe Burrow. This win, a first for Burrow on this holiday, came after a challenging stretch for the team.

Despite the festive atmosphere, Burrow opted out of the traditional postgame turkey feast. “I didn’t touch it. I didn’t touch it,” he stated during his postgame press conference. “I don’t know who made it, I don’t know where they made it. I’m good. I had a little bit of pepper. I was good with the pepper.”

His decision to skip the turkey didn’t overshadow the significance of the game. The Bengals triumphed with a score of 32-14, marking their first win in over a month and Burrow’s return after missing nine games due to a turf toe injury. This victory was crucial for keeping Cincinnati’s playoff aspirations alive.

Burrow’s dietary choices have been a topic of interest among fans and analysts alike. Last offseason, he focused on improving his nutrition, gaining 10 pounds of muscle in preparation for the season. “I’m eating more, I’m more dialed as far as nutrition and food schedule,” he explained in a recent interview, emphasizing the importance of proper fueling for performance.

His trainer, Dak Notestine, elaborated on Burrow’s nutritional strategy: “We wanted things that didn’t have him too full… organizing things a little better.” This approach aimed to ensure Burrow received adequate calories for recovery without feeling overly stuffed.

During the game, Burrow demonstrated his readiness by throwing two touchdowns in the third quarter, helping to shift momentum after a lackluster first half. “There’s no better feeling than that—putting in work for a long time and going out and it paying off,” he remarked postgame.

Reflecting on his performance, he noted, “The whole first half, my feet were a little antsy back there. In the second half, I felt a lot more comfortable [and] started putting them where I wanted to.”

Burrow’s return to form comes shortly after he candidly discussed the mental challenges of recovering from injuries. “You try to do what you can and just grind by yourself in the weight room,” he shared during a November 10 press conference, highlighting the isolation that often accompanies rehabilitation.

The Bengals are set to face the Buffalo Bills on December 7, as they look to build on their Thanksgiving success and continue their push for the playoffs.