Joe Burrow, the Cincinnati Bengals quarterback known for his precision on the field, displayed an unexpected level of creativity and thoughtfulness off it this holiday season. Instead of traditional Christmas gifts for his offensive linemen, Burrow opted for something straight out of a samurai tale—authentic Japanese Katana swords.
The Story Behind the Gift
Burrow revealed that the decision to buy the swords came after rejecting a request from his linemen for firearms as their Christmas presents. While the idea of gifting guns didn’t sit well with the quarterback, he wanted to honor their wish for something bold and meaningful. That’s when inspiration struck.
“I was like, ‘I don’t know about guns, guys,’” Burrow shared. “So I stayed in the weapon mindset and thought, ‘What’s a cool weapon?’ Samurai swords, I think, are pretty dang cool. I think the guys were excited about it.”
A Thoughtful Presentation
After last Thursday’s practice, Burrow surprised his linemen by presenting the swords. Each one featured a unique design and came with a rich backstory tied to a specific town or historical battle in Japan, as detailed by The Athletic.
Burrow took the time to make the experience personal, placing the swords in a room and allowing each lineman to choose their own. While the reaction from the linemen was overwhelmingly positive, one can only imagine the conversations that unfolded when some of them brought home their new samurai blades to their families.
The Linemen’s Reactions
Burrow’s unique gesture didn’t just surprise his teammates—it deeply resonated with them.
“Joe does a great job at buying gifts that are extremely meaningful,” said Orlando Brown Jr. “The fact that he bought me a sword—it’s the most ancient form of respect.”
Alex Cappa echoed the sentiment, calling it his favorite gift to date. “It’s so different,” he said. “When I’m 45 and someone asks me, ‘What’s the story about that?’ I’ll end it with, ‘And Joe Burrow gave it to me.’ That might be the coolest part.”
Matt Lee added, “The fact that it’s so personalized makes it even more special. It’s not just a gift—it’s a story.”
A Hit Among Fans
Fans on social media were equally impressed with Burrow’s choice, many praising it as “bada**” and “epic.”
“This is absolutely next level,” one fan wrote. Another joked, “If linemen show up this weekend missing fingers, I’ll be mad!”
The unconventional gift sparked comparisons to iconic pop culture references, including the Kill Bill movie series, where Katanas are central to the storyline, and the TV show 24, in which protagonist Jack Bauer famously uses a Katana for his final takedown.
A Symbol of Respect
Katanas, historically used by Japanese samurai, represent honor, discipline, and respect—qualities Burrow likely wanted to convey to the linemen who protect him on the field. The thoughtfulness behind the gift underscores Burrow’s appreciation for his teammates and his ability to connect with them in a meaningful way.
A Bittersweet Season
At 7-8, the Bengals face long odds to make the playoffs this season. But the samurai swords may provide some levity and camaraderie in what has otherwise been a challenging year.
While the Bengals may soon find themselves with more free time, Burrow’s gift ensures that his linemen will have a memorable and unique story to tell for years to come. And who knows? Maybe these swords will serve as a reminder of the brotherhood and resilience that defines a team—even in adversity.
