In the ever-expanding pantheon of Louisiana State University (LSU) legends, one name has risen above the rest—etched in purple and gold, immortalized not just in Baton Rouge, but now on the biggest stage of all: Times Square. Joe Burrow, the golden-armed quarterback from Athens, Ohio, has been officially honored by Time Square Magazine as the Greatest LSU Tiger of All Time, a modern GOAT who redefined greatness in college football.
This isn’t just another accolade. It’s a coronation.
The digital billboard lighting up the heart of Manhattan celebrates Burrow’s transcendence—not only as a football player but as an icon whose brief but blistering time at LSU transformed the Tigers into one of the most dominant teams in college football history. The announcement reverberated across the LSU community and the wider world of sports. It wasn’t a question of if Burrow would be honored—it was a matter of when.
A Season for the Ages
Joe Burrow’s 2019 season wasn’t just historic; it was legendary in a way that felt mythical even as it was happening. From the opening whistle of the season to the confetti falling in New Orleans on championship night, Burrow carried LSU on a magical journey through one of the most brutal schedules in college football.
The numbers alone are staggering:
- 5,671 passing yards
- 60 touchdown passes — the most in a single FBS season
- 76.3% completion percentage
- 202.0 passer rating, shattering the previous NCAA record
He didn’t just play well—he surgically dismantled elite defenses. Alabama, Georgia, Oklahoma, and Clemson—the Mount Rushmore of college football powerhouses—were all systematically outclassed by Burrow and the Tigers in the same season.
Each victory seemed more improbable than the last, yet LSU remained undefeated, finishing the season 15–0. That record, coupled with the sheer dominance of their opponents, made a compelling case that the 2019 LSU Tigers were perhaps the greatest college football team of all time.
At the heart of it all was Joe Burrow.
From Ohio to Louisiana: A Perfect Fit
Burrow’s journey to Baton Rouge was never a straight line. A former four-star recruit, Burrow began his career at Ohio State, where he sat behind future NFL starters and ultimately transferred in search of an opportunity to lead. That opportunity came in the form of LSU—a program that had been searching for an elite quarterback to complement its traditionally stout defense and bruising run game.
Few expected what happened next.
In his first year with LSU (2018), Burrow showed flashes of leadership and potential, helping LSU finish 10–3. But it was in 2019 that everything clicked, thanks in part to the addition of wunderkind passing game coordinator Joe Brady, who brought NFL concepts to LSU’s offense.
What followed was football poetry.
Burrow’s ability to read defenses, throw with pinpoint accuracy, and make plays under pressure turned him into a cheat code. Week after week, his performances elevated LSU from a top-10 team to a juggernaut. He made average players good, good players great, and great players legendary. Wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson exploded into superstardom under Burrow’s direction.
More than talent, Burrow brought swagger. Calm under fire, unflappable in big moments, and always carrying himself with an air of unshakable confidence, he wasn’t just a quarterback—he was a field general, one Tiger fans still revere with almost religious devotion.
The Heisman Moment
Burrow’s 2019 campaign culminated in him winning the Heisman Trophy, but even that undersells the dominance. He received 90.7% of first-place votes, the largest margin of victory in the history of the award. His acceptance speech was heartfelt and humble, paying tribute to his hometown of Athens, Ohio, and the people who believed in him.
He didn’t forget Louisiana either.
“They welcomed me with open arms,” Burrow said. “I hope I made them proud.”
He did more than that. He galvanized a state. In a region that often finds itself divided along political, cultural, or economic lines, Burrow became a symbol of unity. LSU fans from all walks of life could rally behind their quarterback—their Heisman winner, their champion, their modern-day legend.
The Greatest Wins: Alabama, Georgia, Oklahoma, Clemson
To be named the greatest Tiger of all time, one must slay giants—and Burrow did exactly that.
- At Alabama: In Tuscaloosa, Burrow outdueled Tua Tagovailoa in a 46–41 shootout that ended an eight-year LSU losing streak to the Crimson Tide. It was a defining win, made even sweeter by Burrow’s late-game heroics and clutch throws on third down.
- SEC Championship vs. Georgia: Against one of the best defenses in the country, Burrow made Georgia look helpless. His off-platform throws and improvisation painted a picture of pure brilliance.
- CFP Semifinal vs. Oklahoma: Burrow threw seven touchdown passes in the first half, setting a CFP record. The Tigers led 49–14 at halftime. It was video game numbers on the national stage.
- National Championship vs. Clemson: Facing a program that had won 29 straight games and the defending national champs, Burrow threw for 463 yards and five touchdowns. He was battered, bruised, and even bleeding at one point—but never rattled. LSU won 42–25, and Burrow cemented his immortality.
More Than a Quarterback
Joe Burrow’s impact at LSU wasn’t just in box scores or stat sheets. He fundamentally changed the way LSU football is perceived. Once known as a defensive powerhouse with anemic offenses, the Tigers became an offensive juggernaut almost overnight.
More than that, Burrow inspired a cultural shift. He showed that you could be confident without being cocky, poised without being passive, driven without being dramatic. He became a role model not just for future LSU quarterbacks, but for athletes across the SEC.
His No. 9 jersey is now iconic, and LSU’s decision to add his name to its stadium’s famed “Ring of Honor” underscores how quickly he became a program legend. Fans still wear Burrow’s jersey in Death Valley. Murals have been painted. Statues are being discussed. His name is chanted in sports bars, tailgates, and family gatherings.
He isn’t just remembered—he’s revered.
The GOAT Debate: Why Burrow Stands Alone
LSU has produced some all-time greats: Billy Cannon, Patrick Peterson, Tyrann Mathieu, JaMarcus Russell, Kevin Faulk, and Leonard Fournette, just to name a few. But none of them achieved what Burrow did in such a short span.
Cannon, LSU’s only other Heisman winner before Burrow, was phenomenal in his own right and defined an era of Tigers football. But the game has changed. Burrow dominated in the social media era, under the glare of 24/7 coverage, with every throw scrutinized and every mistake magnified.
And still, he was nearly flawless.
He changed LSU’s recruiting profile, its offensive philosophy, and its national reputation. He inspired an entire generation of players who now want to be the next Joe Burrow. That’s the definition of a GOAT—someone who not only excels but elevates everyone and everything around them.
A Lasting Legacy
Since moving on to the NFL, Burrow has continued to impress. He led the Cincinnati Bengals to a Super Bowl appearance in just his second full season, further validating his college brilliance. But no matter what he accomplishes at the professional level, LSU fans will always remember him for that one glorious season.
For that season, he wasn’t just a quarterback.
He was a movement.
He was the heart of Louisiana.
He was LSU’s modern GOAT.
