A former coach and sociology professor warned the parents of the then young Joe Burrow after a formative event. His strong nerves could have led him down a criminal path.

Joe Burrow. Also known as “Joe Cool,” “Joe Brrr,” “Joey Franchise,” or “Joe Shiesty.”

The Cincinnati Bengals quarterback has many different nicknames that are meant to underscore his value. One always stands out: his nerves of steel. His toughness. His coolness. It’s a quality that’s hard to train. It’s more of a gift.

A sociology professor at Ohio University, who was also a basketball coach, had a memorable experience with the then nine-year-old Burrow, as sports journalist Trey Wingo recounted in the podcast “Capps Off.”

It was so special and frightening that he even warned Burrow’s parents.

Joe Burrow is built DIFFERENT

(via @Capsoffpodcast) pic.twitter.com/9AxDhqtErd

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) July 9, 2025

Bengals: “Burrow could have been the next Dexter.”

Wingo on a situation in a basketball game played by nine-year-old Burrows: “In an important game, with 30 seconds left, his team was trailing by eight points. Even his basketball coach at the time didn’t believe they could win. Burrow was substituted in. He made seven free throws in a row and helped his team win with a total of nine points. Delivering under pressure. A skill that set Burrow apart even as a nine-year-old.”

Wingo goes on to report that the basketball coach and sociology professor then visited Burrow’s parents. He had noticed a few things about the child’s psyche over a long period of time. He wanted to warn his father and mother:

“Joe has qualities that you usually only find in first responders, police officers, and serial killers. In other words, his blood pressure doesn’t change, whether he’s mowing the lawn or rescuing people from a building. I say this because I work with people a lot and study criminal sociology. Thank God he doesn’t use his talents for anything bad, because he has the talent to become the next Dexter!”

Fortunately, Burrow helps people score touchdowns and doesn’t kill anyone. Because Dexter is a fictional serial killer.