Joseph Ossai's Turkey Leg Mishap After Bengals' Thanksgiving Win

Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Joseph Ossai found himself in an unusual predicament following his team's 32-14 victory against the Baltimore Ravens on Thanksgiving Day. As the celebration unfolded, Ossai, 25, was caught off guard while enjoying a turkey leg on the sidelines.

During the postgame festivities, NBC’s Melissa Stark approached him for an interview, prompting a surprised response from Ossai, who was mid-bite. “Were you playing for that turkey leg?” Stark asked, to which he could only manage a few garbled sounds before admitting, “I don’t know. I started eating too soon.”

Stark quickly recognized the situation and called for water, ensuring Ossai was alright. This moment highlighted the NFL tradition where the winning team indulges in a feast while engaging with the media. However, it wasn’t just Ossai who seemed unprepared for the spotlight.

Wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase also struggled with the interview format. When Stark sought his thoughts on the turkey, he could only nod initially before swallowing and stating, “It’s not that bad.” Meanwhile, quarterback Joe Burrow opted to skip the turkey altogether. Committed to a clean diet, Burrow, 28, firmly stated, “I didn’t touch it. I don’t know who made it, I don’t know where they made it. I’m good.”

Despite his avoidance of the feast, Burrow expressed deep gratitude for his return to the field after suffering a turf toe injury earlier in the season. “I’m most grateful to all the people in my life that helped me through these last couple weeks,” he reflected. “It certainly wasn’t easy... I got people that just want the best for me.”

Burrow had previously described the loneliness of watching from the sidelines as his teammates continued to compete. “You try to do what you can and just grind by yourself in the weight room and in the training room,” he noted during a press conference on November 10.

While Burrow's performance may not have been flawless, he made crucial plays when necessary. After a first half filled with four field goals, he threw two touchdown passes in the third quarter, helping to secure a comfortable lead over the Ravens.

Reflecting on his performance, Burrow said, “There’s no better feeling than that — putting in work for a long time and going out and it paying off.” He added that he felt more at ease in the second half after some initial nerves. “The whole first half, my feet were a little antsy back there,” he admitted.

With this victory, the Bengals not only celebrated a Thanksgiving win but also kept their playoff hopes alive after more than a month without a win.