Bengals star Joe Burrow has gone full tourist in Madrid, spending his Wednesday off hitting up one of the city’s most iconic museums, but it’s not just the sightseeing that has him buzzing. He’s absolutely loving the chance to feel like a normal person for a bit, a rare opportunity for one of the NFL’s biggest names.
The Unexpected Tourist in the Spanish Capital
The Cincinnati Bengals are in Spain this week for a game, and the team made the smart move to fly out early and soak up everything Madrid has to offer. Coach Zac Taylor gave the guys Wednesday off, and it sounds like Burrow wasted no time making the most of it. Our QB, known for his unique personality, hit up the Museo Del Prado, and his review? “That was cool.” Not exactly a glowing five-star Yelp review, but hey, that’s Burrow being Burrow.
This trip isn’t just a random assignment for him either. Back in 2025, after the NFL announced Madrid as a host city, Burrow actually requested to play there. He’s been pumped about this trip since the schedule dropped in May, admitting, “I was really excited about it; I hadn’t been here yet, so that was exciting for me.” The Bengals are slated to be the “visiting” team this Sunday against the Falcons, with kickoff set for 9:30 a.m. ET.
The Quest for Normalcy and a Surprise Encounter
Taylor is clearly prioritizing the player experience, giving them even more free time on Friday evening. Burrow is still mulling over his options, but he’s thinking about hitting up more museums, maybe an art gallery, and even some shopping. As he put it, “I’d like to go and see some more museums, and go to an art gallery and do a little shopping, but we’ll see.” The guy is truly embracing the European experience!
The biggest perk for Burrow, though, is the anonymity. “I love being out here so I can feel like a normal person for a little bit,” he shared. Imagine that, an NFL superstar just wanting to walk around without being mobbed. Of course, even in Madrid, it’s not a complete escape. He did run into a group of American students studying abroad who knew exactly who he was, which was a bit of a surprise. “It’s often a little more than I expect when I’m in a different country,” Burrow admitted. “I usually expect to go pretty incognito and not have anybody recognize me.” With Cincinnati fans seemingly taking over parts of the Spanish capital, it’s a testament to his star power that even across the Atlantic, some folks just know.
So, how will all this museum-hopping and incognito strolling translate to the field? We’ll find out Sunday morning when Burrow and the Bengals face the Falcons. Will the relaxed, tourist-mode QB bring that same calm, cool energy to the game? We’re definitely looking forward to seeing him take the field and put on a show!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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