Boomer Esiason Praises Joe Burrow Following Ring of Honor Announcement: 'He's Exceeded Every Expectation That I Had For Him'

Esiason also discussed how he thought this day might never happen.

Author:
Russ Heltman
Publish date:
Jul 20, 2023 12:32 PM EDT

In this story:

CINCINNATI — Boomer Esiason met with the media after getting confirmed as part of the latest two-man class to enter the Bengals Ring of Honor.

The former quarterback praised Joe Burrow's leadership of the franchise and recalled how he held the Bengals helmet with Burrow on the CBS Sports set in 2020 before the team selected their current passer.

"I actually did that to Carson Palmer too as well," Esiason said. "And I welcomed them both to our dysfunctional family for whatever reason, but I said it in a funny way. And I said 'Look one thing I do know, Mike Brown knows quarterbacks,' he really does, and when you think about the stability at quarterback that the Bengals have had for most of their existence. That tells you that Mike knows exactly what a quarterback needs to look like how that quarterback needs to act, and how he can get the best out of that player. Joe Burrow was a can't-miss prospect. We knew coming out of LSU he was going to be a superstar.

"I have to say that he's exceeded every expectation that I had for him coming into the league. I know people say that he's the second-best quarterback in the league. I think he's pressing Patrick Mahomes for that title of best, but until you knock the best off, and you win a Super Bowl, I guess you necessarily can't claim that, but that's not who Joe is. Joe is, I would say a humble player but also a very fierce competitive player, which is why his teammates I think really do respect him. So going in under these circumstances with Chad (Johnson), that Monday night should be a great night because this team is one of the better teams in the league now."

A special Monday night celebration is in store at halftime of the Bengals game against the Rams on Sept. 25.

Esiason described how he didn't think this day would come in his retirement.

"I would go to Monday night games. And I'd watch the home teams honoring their past and watching the home teams honoring players and teams of the past and the Bengals have done some of that. I know they honored our 88' Super Bowl and the 82' Super Bowl team. But you know they never really ever did anything in regards to recognizing and remembering the great history of players that they have.

"I do believe that the team has turned the corner over the last three to four years and there is a new emphasis on trying to reunite the older players with some of the newer players, the older fans with the younger fans and it's great to be going in now because the team is so good and because they do have a great quarterback in Joe Burrow and you know, I will tell you five years ago I would have never thought this day was happening."

Esiason played nine seasons in Cincinnati from 1984-92, passing for 27,149 yards and 187 touchdowns.

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