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Unsung hero of Patriots dynasty shares special Joe Burrow anecdote from before the Bengals drafted him

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By John Sheeran | Last updated 4/5/24

Ernie Adams was the epitome of a football guy. How else can someone last 20+ years as an assistant for Bill Belichick?

Adams was the New England Patriots' football research director. He would dive into the film for Belichick to pinpoint the smallest area of weaknesses on a weekly basis.

It's arguable that the Pats would not have won six Super Bowls without Adams, so when he mentions Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow in a positive fashion, that's some high praise.

Adams, who retired from football following the 2020 season, came on former Patriots receiver Julian Edelman's podcast Games With Names and brought up Burrow as his answer to an NFL Scouting Combine question he remembered asking.

"What's the thing you're really proud of in football? And the one I remember was Joe Burrow," Adams said. "State Championship, came down to a goal line stand, and he was the linebacker.

"Hey, right here. This is my kind of guy. He's a football player."

Tough. Gritty. Dependable. @JoeyB pic.twitter.com/HTXTH3lZgu
— Julian Edelman (@Edelman11) April 4, 2024

He's not wrong. Burrow did lead Athens High School to a State Championship appearance in 2014. Athens lost that game, and it remained Burrow's lone playoff loss up until Super Bowl LVI.

That loss has been brought up by Burrow many a time, so it's no surprise to hear him mention it even right after he led LSU to a National Championship a month prior to his interview with Adams. The 2020 Combine took place in February of 2020.

Burrow was a part of the last NFL Draft class that Adams helped interview as an NFL personnel member. Adams has probably heard thousands on thousands of answers to that question over the years, so when a future 1st overall pick at quarterback thinks back to his days as a linebacker as his proudest moment, that would leave an impression.

Adams and New England never had a shot at drafting Burrow. At least Burrow gave them a good interview before proving Adams right in Cincinnati.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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