Who Are Joe Burrow's Parents? Meet the NFL Legacy Behind the Bengals QB
By Jason Bolton September 29, 2025 11:56
Joe Burrow, the unflappable Cincinnati Bengals quarterback who's led his team to a Super Bowl and signed the richest contract in NFL history, credits much of his poise and passion to his parents. Born on December 10, 1996, in Ames, Iowa, Burrow grew up in a football-obsessed household in Athens, Ohio, where sports weren't just a game—they were a family tradition. His parents, Jimmy and Robin Burrow, both shaped by careers in athletics and education, provided the blueprint for Joe's success: a blend of discipline, resilience, and community focus. As Joe eyes another playoff run in 2025 after a dominant 2024 season where he led the league in passing yards, his folks remain his biggest cheerleaders—and key players in his Joe Burrow Foundation. Here's a look at the couple who raised an NFL icon.
Jimmy Burrow: From Packers DB to Coaching Legend and Proud Dad
Jimmy Burrow, born James Arthur Burrow on November 29, 1953, is the football patriarch of the family. A defensive back by trade, he carved out a professional career in both the NFL and CFL. Drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the eighth round of the 1976 NFL Draft out of the University of Nebraska, Jimmy appeared in two games for the Green Bay Packers in 1980 before transitioning to the CFL, where he played for the Montreal Alouettes and Hamilton Tiger-Cats. His pro stints were brief but gritty, mirroring the blue-collar ethos he passed to his sons.
Coaching became Jimmy's true calling, spanning over 40 years across college and high school levels. He held defensive coordinator roles at powerhouse programs like Washington State, Iowa State, Nebraska, and North Dakota State—where the family relocated in 2003 when Joe was just 7. Jimmy timed his retirement after the 2018 season at Ohio University to coincide with Joe's senior year at LSU, allowing him to attend every game and witness his son's Heisman-winning magic. Named the MAC Defensive Coordinator of the Year in 2009, Jimmy's strategic mind influenced Joe's own on-field IQ; the Bengals QB has credited his dad's film breakdowns for sharpening his game sense.
Off the field, Jimmy's a family man through and through. He and Robin co-founded the Athens County Food Pantry in 2010, addressing hunger in their Appalachian Ohio community—a cause Joe champions via his foundation, where Jimmy serves as vice president. In a 2023 interview, Jimmy laughed about the family's low-key reaction to Joe's $275 million extension: "We are so happy it's over," he said, noting Joe's laser focus on football over celebrations. Jimmy's no stranger to the spotlight, but he prefers the RV road trips with Robin, scouting Cincinnati eateries for charity events like "Dine For 9."
Robin Burrow: The Educator Mom Turning Principals into Philanthropists
Robin Burrow, Joe's steadfast mom, brings a nurturing balance to the family's athletic intensity. A native of Ohio, she initially pursued a career in fashion merchandising but pivoted after Joe's birth, becoming an elementary school teacher and later principal at Eastern Elementary in Meigs County. Her administrative role honed her leadership skills, which she now channels as secretary and treasurer of the Joe Burrow Foundation, launched in 2022 to combat food insecurity and mental health challenges for kids in Ohio, Cincinnati, and Baton Rouge.
Robin and Jimmy's marriage has been a model of partnership, especially amid the nomadic life of coaching. When Joe was born, Robin's career shift allowed her to anchor the family during Jimmy's travels. She's been vocal about her pride in Joe's growth beyond the gridiron: "It is unbelievable... the young man that he's become, the role model that he is for kids," she gushed in 2022. Ahead of the Bengals' 2022 Super Bowl run, Robin told media outlets, "I don't think there is a word that describes how full of joy and happiness that we are right now." Her influence shines in Joe's charity work; the foundation's back-to-school meal donations—30,000 in 2024 alone—echo the values she instilled.
Even in lighter moments, Robin keeps it real. In a podcast appearance, she joked about Joe's signature long hair: "We weren't sure about that at first!" But her support is unwavering, from draft night tears in 2020 to courtside cheers at Bengals games.
A Football Family: Siblings and the Burrow Brotherhood
The Burrows are a gridiron dynasty. Joe is the youngest of three sons; older brothers Jamie and Dan both played college ball at Nebraska—Jamie as a tight end and Dan as a safety—continuing the family's legacy. Growing up in southeast Ohio and later North Dakota, the boys bonded over backyard drills and shared dreams, with Joe often tagging along to Jimmy's practices. This sibling rivalry fueled their competitiveness; all three pursued pro paths, though Jamie and Dan opted for coaching and business post-college.
The family's moves—from Iowa to Ohio to North Dakota—taught adaptability, a trait Joe embodies as "Joe Cool" under pressure. As Jimmy once noted, a coach spotted 7-year-old Joe's potential during an office visit at North Dakota State.
Raising a Quarterback: Values That Go Beyond the Field
Jimmy and Robin didn't just hand Joe a football—they equipped him with the mental toughness to thrive in the NFL's glare. From Jimmy's tactical wisdom to Robin's emphasis on empathy, their guidance has made Joe a $55 million-a-year star who's as committed to community as he is to completions. As the Bengals gear up for 2025, with Joe fresh off his second Comeback Player of the Year nod, his parents remind him: Success is measured in impact, not just inches. In their Athens home, amid Bengals jerseys and family photos, the Burrows prove that the best plays happen off the field.
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