Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow gave his offensive linemen a unique gift for Christmas: samurai swords. The gesture was a nod to the players’ exceptional job of protecting him this season.
Each lineman was allowed to pick out their own sword, and some of the swords date back to the 1500s. Burrow explained his decision to opt for samurai swords over traditional gifts like cars or watches, saying, “Well, they wanted guns. And I was like, ‘I don’t know about guns, guys.’ So I was in the weapon mindset, and I was like, ‘What’s a cool weapon?’ Samurai swords, I think, are pretty dang cool.”
Offensive lineman Alex Cappa praised the gift, calling it one of the best he’s ever received. “My favorite gift I’ve ever gotten by far because it’s so different,” he said.
Burrow’s decision to gift his linemen samurai swords is just one of several ways he’s shown appreciation for their hard work this season. Cincinnati has been one of the most efficient offenses in the league, with Burrow leading the NFL with 39 touchdown passes and 4,229 passing yards. Burrow has been sacked just 37 times this season, a significant improvement over his previous seasons as the starter.
The Bengals have seven wins and eight losses this season, with two games remaining against the Denver Broncos and Pittsburgh Steelers. If they can win out, they may sneak into the playoffs.