In which the rookie Ben Gal falls for Cincinnati's number one quarterback.
Now that football season is upon us I thought it would be fun to write a little Joe Burrow story.
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The next few weeks passed in a blur of practice, games, and a constant stream of media speculation. What had started as a few whispered rumors had not turned into full-blown gossip. Photos of Joe and me walking in the park were splashed across every sports blog, captioned with lines like;
Burrow's Focus Shifts Off the Field
Bengals QB's Love Life in the Spotlight
I had tried my best to keep my head down, to focus on the cheerleading routines, but it was impossible to ignore the growing tension. Joe was under a microscope now more than ever, and every misstep was being picked apart by the media, as if our relationship was to blame.
It wasn't long before the criticism started to affect Joe on the field.
Game Day
The game against the Ravens was huge. The Bengals were on a roll, playoff hopes in sight, but from the first quarter, something felt off. Joe wasn't playing like himself. His passes were either too short or overshot his receivers, and the defense was relentless. By halftime, the Bengals were down by 14, and the entire stadium could feel the shift in energy.
I watched from the sidelines, my stomach in knots. This wasn't the Joe I knew, the calm, composed leader who could take over a game with his precision and cool under pressure. He was rattled, distracted, and I knew exactly why.
As the team headed into the locker room, the commentators on the big screen weren't holding back.
"Burrow's been off his game the past few weeks. It's hard to say for sure, but you have to wonder if all of the off-field distractions are getting to him."
"It's tough when your personal life gets dragged into the public eye like this. Fans are starting to question if his focus is where it needs to be."
I winced at their words, guilt gnawing at me. The cameras kept panning to me, and every time they did, I felt the weight of the blame shifting onto my shoulders. Maybe this was too much. Maybe I was hurting his career.
