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“You throw like a girl”: Urban Meyer’s harsh words to Joe Burrow and how it led to greatness

Joe Burrow, now an NFL star, faced harsh criticism from Ohio State's coach Urban Meyer, who doubted his abilities and made demeaning remarks. This fueled Burrow's decision to transfer to LSU, where he thrived. He led the Tigers to a national championship and won the Heisman Trophy, proving his potential in a supportive environment after overcoming Meyer's discouraging words.
“You throw like a girl”: Urban Meyer’s harsh words to Joe Burrow and how it led to greatness
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Joe Burrow’s story is one of redemption, growth, and proving people wrong. As one of the brightest stars in the NFL today, his journey from an overlooked backup quarterback at Ohio State to the Heisman Trophy winner and national champion at LSU is nothing short of inspiring. However, what many may not know is that during his time at Ohio State, Burrow faced harsh and discouraging criticism from none other than head coach Urban Meyer.

The shocking comments Urban Meyer made about Joe Burrow that almost ruined his career

In a recent revelation, Burrow opened up about the severe criticism he endured from Meyer while still at Ohio State. According to Burrow, Meyer once told him that he was “a D2 QB at best” and that he didn’t have the ability to make throws consistently. Even more disheartening were the personal comments Meyer made, with one remark famously stating, “You throw like a girl.” These comments were made during Burrow’s time competing for the starting job, a period when Burrow was desperately trying to prove himself in a system that didn’t seem to believe in him.
For any young player, especially one trying to prove their worth on a national stage, such criticism can be devastating. But for Burrow, it was a moment that would fuel his resolve and eventually lead to one of the most remarkable turnarounds in recent sports history.

The effect of the criticism on Joe Burrow’s decision to transfer

While Burrow’s resilience shone through, the toxic environment at Ohio State ultimately led him to make one of the most important decisions of his career: transferring to LSU. Burrow’s transfer, in hindsight, seems almost like fate, but at the time, it was a difficult choice to leave a program with the resources and prestige of Ohio State.
The comments from Meyer were certainly one of the driving factors behind his departure. Burrow realized that his path to success would require a fresh start, and LSU offered him the opportunity to showcase his skills in a more supportive environment. That move turned out to be the catalyst for everything that followed.
Also read - Joe Burrow fumbled the Met Gala: Fans roast QB’s look as ‘ill-fitting and try-hard’At LSU, Burrow blossomed into the quarterback he had always known he could be. He went on to have a career-defining season, leading the Tigers to a national championship and winning the Heisman Trophy. His connection with head coach Ed Orgeron and his ability to lead an explosive offense helped LSU dominate college football in 2019.
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