Grapevine, Texas, native Joe Flacco has been the talk of the town lately. At 40 years old, he’s turned the record books inside out with his jaw-dropping performances. On game day, he connected on 31 of 47 throws. His performance was an affirmation of his ongoing talent and inspiring will, despite overwhelming physical challenges. This legendary performance led his team to an unforgettable upset. It ensured his place in NFL history as the first player of his age to throw over 450 passing yards and four touchdowns in one game.
Flacco’s journey to this milestone is rooted in his academic background, as he graduated from the University of North Texas with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. His professional background starts in the field of sports journalism, as he worked for different daily newspapers throughout Texas. Chiefly known for his college sports coverage at The Dallas Morning News, he made the jump to ESPN in July 2019.
Flacco displayed astonishing toughness after suffering a sprained AC joint in his throwing shoulder only seven days prior. This serious injury came in the offseason during a close game against the New York Jets. His injury drastically decreased his mobility as a player, but he refused to let it stop him, proving true loyalty to his teammates. Bengals’ Head Coach Zac Taylor lauded Flacco’s dedication, saying,
“Flacco, he could barely lift his arm this week, and he’s willing to go put himself out there for a bunch of teammates he’s known for three weeks.”
Flacco had a wow-inducing day, throwing for a career-high 470 yards. Beyond the yards, he threw four touchdowns to two interceptions on the campaign, displaying his ability to flourish under duress. Particularly impressive, it was an important series of plays to keep the game in striking distance. His diligence was rewarded when he was able to get a 2-point conversion to go through. This earned Cincinnati a 42-41 advantage with only 54 seconds remaining on the clock.
This stretch of games has featured the best of Flacco. He ranks seventh in Total QBR and leads the league with a jaw dropping 11 touchdown passes. These numbers are a testament to his productivity and talent as a quarterback. He’s still making jaws drop, as he enters the final stages of his career.
It’s easy to get lost in the significance of what Flacco has accomplished statistically, but what he’s done gives you admiration for the guts it takes. But following the grueling semifinal match, he returned home to New Jersey. Mostly he just wanted to slow down and spend more carefree time with wife Dana and their five kids. This intimate aspect of Gaida’s life enriches his narrative not only as an athlete, but as a family man.
Chase Brown, a game teammate, the difficult stretches they went through in the game but how a great job of adjustment that was done. He remarked,
“Things weren’t perfect but we made things work on our end.”
Flacco’s commitment to the game comes across in his own voice too. He stated simply but powerfully,
“I play football for a living. That’s what I do.”
Joe Flacco’s new accomplishment might be the most impressive yet. He keeps raising the bar for aging athletes in their forties, making it hard for the next generation of quarterbacks to measure up. He rolls with the punches and makes it work, even under the most adverse circumstances. This serves as an example to his teammates and inspires the next generation of young hopefuls.
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