Joe Burrow’s rookie season in 2020 ended early after he suffered a torn ACL just 10 games into his first year. The Bengals weren’t having much success, starting 2-7-1, but he had 13 touchdown passes and five interceptions, looking every bit like a franchise quarterback.
Around the same time, Andrew Whitworth injured his knee, too, sidelining him for the second half of a season due to a sprained MCL and PCL. Whitworth wound up returning for the playoffs, but Burrow’s season ended after 10 games.
As difficult as those injuries were, they did lead to a friendship between Whitworth and Burrow, which has continued into this year. Burrow told reporters Monday that while he was rehabbing his knee in Los Angeles, he connected with Whitworth and became friends. Both players were recovering from injuries, and even spent their birthdays together at Whitworth’s house.
