Louisiana State University quarterback Joe Burrow has a connection to the Canadian Football League.
Burrow’s dad Jim played for the Montreal Alouettes, Calgary Stampeders and Ottawa Rough Riders during six seasons in the CFL. He was in attendance at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome Monday night to watch his son throw for 463 yards and five touchdowns, leading LSU over Clemson 42-25 in the College Football Playoff National Championship.
“My dad won a Grey Cup in Canada, but there’s kind of this Burrow curse. My brother lost the national championship, my dad lost a couple Grey Cups, I lost the state championship, both my brothers lost state championships. This is kind of our first one, so this is super special,” Burrow told ESPN.
Jim won the CFL title in 1977 with the Als in what’s referred to as The Ice Bowl or Staple Game, but lost to Edmonton two times 1978 and 1979. While in Montreal Burrow was named an East Division all-star defensive back twice. The long-time coach retired after the 2018 season to watch all of his son’s games in 2019.
LSU’s signal caller passed for 5,671 yards, 60 touchdowns — NCAA single-season record — averaging four TD strikes per game against six interceptions while completing 76.3 percent of his passes. Burrow added 369 yards and five rushing touchdowns. The Tigers were a perfect 15-0 record in his senior season.
Burrow captured the Heisman Trophy — earning a record 90.7 percent of the available first-place ballots — during a remarkable run at LSU. The 23-year-old isn’t on a CFL negotiation list because Burrow is projected to be the first overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft.
