MADRID (AP) — Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is trying to make the most out of his first overseas game in the NFL.
Burrow and the Bengals are in Madrid to take on the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday,
looking to win their fourth straight game and move to 6-2 in the AFC North.
The trip is not only about football for Burrow, though. He was not yet with the Bengals when the team played its first two games abroad in 2016 and 2019 in London.
“This is somewhere that I’ve always wanted to go," he said Friday. “And so to be able to do it while doing what I love, playing football, is really a dream come true for me.”
Burrow said he was recognized by a group of Americans studying abroad while walking around the Spanish capital, but was enjoying a bit of anonymity on the streets of Madrid.
“I usually expect to go pretty incognito and not have anybody recognize me,” he said. “It’s a little bit more than that, but I love being out here because I can feel like a normal person for a little while.”
Europe was also allowing Burrow to enjoy one of his passions: art.
“I went to Museo del Prado on Wednesday, that was cool,” Burrow said of Spain’s renowned art museum.
And the plan for his half-day off on Friday was to go find more art in Madrid.
“I’d like to go see some more museums and go to an art gallery, do a little shopping, but we’ll see,” he said.
Shopping in Madrid could also be an attractive option for Burrow, who’s been known for his interest in fashion and bold pregame outfits. And it could be good timing for him, as the Bengals quarterback said he has been going through a style change.
“I’ve tried to elevate my looks a little bit recently,” he said. “For a couple of years there, I was full streetwear. And I started out going suits on gameday every day, and didn’t really feel like that was me. So I switched it up to full streetwear. And that might have been an overcorrection in my creative mind. I’m finding a happy medium now.”
Burrow said he grew up watching soccer and lamented not being able to see one of the two Spanish powerhouses play while he was in Spain.
“I’ve followed international sports for a long time, followed Real Madrid for a long time. Watched Barcelona play Real Madrid a lot,” he said. “Played with both of those teams on FIFA a lot when I was a kid. And loved watching soccer my whole life really. So I wish they played while we were here at their home stadium, so we could go. Unfortunately, that’s not gonna happen, but hopefully one day I can make it.”
Burrow said the Bengals’ “explosive” and “dynamic” offense will be “fun to watch” at Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. He said he was excited about being the NFL’s main attraction Sunday morning in the United States.
“I love the only game on TV on Sunday morning when people back home wake up and I love showcasing our talents abroad and trying to bring attention to what we do,” he said.
Burrow threw for five touchdowns and ran for another in overtime as the Bengals rallied to defeat the Tennessee Titans 43-36 last Sunday.
“We’re completing a lot of passes right now. Our offensive line is protecting great. I think this is the best that that group has played since I’ve been here, which is really exciting to see,” he said. “And, you know, a lot of our young players are getting better and better. And we have the right guys who attack every day with the intent to be better than the day before. And I think that is so valuable in this sport.”
Burrow said the Bengals still have more to prove before deserving to be considered Super Bowl contenders.
“I don’t think we deserve it yet,” he said. “We haven’t done enough. There’s still a lot of season left. We certainly have to be a lot better than we have been if we want to be that team at the end of the year winning the Super Bowl. We certainly can. We have the capability to do it, but right now, we aren’t there.”
Bengals coach Zac Taylor joked that he wouldn’t really accept anyone going for American fast food while in Madrid.
“I’ve judged a couple people,” he said. “Now, my kids might be opting for that, if you’re under 14 years old, yes. If not, I will judge you greatly.”
Wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase was quick to say Friday that he wasn't one of those going for fast food, but he did say he missed his chef. He also said he was recognized “maybe twice” on the streets of Madrid.
On Thursday, defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence said he missed his bed.
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