Southeast Ohio Rallies Around Athens Native Joe Burrow

By: Lexi Lepof
Posted on: Tuesday, March 1, 2022

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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) – Pretty much everywhere you look around Athens, a town usually painted green and white, you’ll now see plenty of orange and black.

Why? Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals are headed to the Super Bowl. 

“It’s exciting. The city will have a whole different look on Court Street in showing the Athens support of a Plains’ native son,” Athens Mayor Steve Patterson said. “You know, I’ll be glued to that TV on Sunday.”

Burrow is a hometown hero for many around the area. One of those people is Athens native and owner of Ohio Is Home – Tim Martin. 

“It’s a small town. You know, not a lot of us do big things. Not a lot of us really stay in Athens either,” Martin said. “So, the fact that somebody has gone so far and really remembers and appreciates their roots and talks about Athens even more than somewhere like Columbus or whatever, that really means a lot.”

Burrow’s Heisman Trophy acceptance speech in Spring of 2020 spotlighting food insecurity in the region inspired Martin to design apparel in support of the quarterback.

That speech also inspired hundreds of people to donate to organizations combating food insecurity. 

Since the speech, Burrow has created the Joe Burrow Hunger Relief Fund in collaboration with the Athens County Food Pantry and Foundation for Appalachian Ohio. The fund has reached 1.3 million dollars in donations since its creation. 

Burrow’s post-season success has inspired football fans everywhere to donate to the fund. Bengals fans have rallied together to donate in symbolic amounts to express their gratitude. In December, Bengals fans donated in sums of 31 dollars to represent the 31 years since the team had won a playoff game. 

Some local businesses in the area are now offering special deals to contribute donations. One example is Donkey Coffee’s Burrow and Bengals drinks that benefit the Athens County Food pantry. 

“I think it just goes with who Joe is and honors him and his heart and passion for people and this community specifically,” Angie Pyle, the owner of Donkey Coffee said. 

Pyle says she isn’t much of a football fan, but Burrow’s character and effect on the community has brought her and many others in. 

“I have seen people have a sense of pride and excitement,” she said. “I think it just has provided a huge boost of morale over the past few years for people which feels really good.”

Burrow will represent Southeast Ohio on a national stage this Sunday at the Super Bowl.