As with every number one draft, people couldn’t wait to see what Joe Burrow delivered in his first NFL game. While there was plenty of hype, Joe Burrow didn’t grade himself highly following his NFL debut.

Feeling Low

No sports star likes the taste of defeat, and it seems Joe Burrow isn’t any different. After making his NFL debut for the Cincinnati Bengals against the Los Angeles Chargers, Burrow’s side was narrowly beaten 16-13.

It was a tough pill to swallow for Burrow with the Bengals having a touchdown at the end of the game ruled out for pushing by the officials. The Bengals also missed a late kick to take the game into overtime, but overall it wasn’t a bad debut. However, when asked about how he did, Burrow said he would give himself a grade D.

History Not On His Side

Although we’re sure Burrow was all set up for the victory, he joins an ever-growing list of number one draft pick quarterbacks who haven’t won on their debut. In fact, a number one overall quarterback hasn’t won on their NFL debut since David Carr in 2002.

Burrow was beating himself up after the game, saying he should have made the pass to A.J. Green, claiming even a high schooler could have made it. Despite the few mistakes, Burrow had 23-of-36 passing for 193 years, and he scored a rushing touchdown.

Not everything fell into place, but the Bengals head coach, Zac Taylor, was happy with Burrow’s composure and ability to absorb pressure in such a tough game. We’re sure next time out, Burrow is going all out for the win against the Browns.

The pressure is always on young shoulders whenever any number one draft pick steps into the NFL. While Burrow didn’t have a debut he’s that proud of, we’re sure he’ll have plenty of performances that prove he deserves to be regarded so highly.

It’s official — pandemic-related restrictions won’t be the only ones during the Summer Olympics in Tokyo. The IOC made a final decision regarding athlete protests and political messages through sports apparel. The decision came after the committee did a survey among the competitors that showed they were in favor of keeping the ban in action. Those who decide to do a political demonstration will likely suffer punishment, says the IOC.

“Black Lives Matter” Slogans Won’t Be Allowed at the Olympics

The IOC also shared that slogans related to the “Black Lives Matter” movement are banned, and athletes can’t use them on their apparel at all Olympic venues. The committee did, however, allow using the words “solidarity,” “peace,” “respect,” “equality,” and “inclusion” on t-shirts. The survey that helped the committee make that decision included more than 3,500 athletes, 70% of whom agreed that the Olympics wasn’t a place for competitors to demonstrate their views. What would happen to those who break the new rules, however, is still uncertain. The IOC said that rule violations would be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the IOC, the International Federation, and the athlete’s National Olympic Committee.

A Curious Situation

Just a day after the IOC confirmed it would not lift its long-standing ban on political demonstration, an activist group in Germany called Athleten Deutschland and the World Players Association, pledged to offer legal support to athletes who decide to participate in social justice or political protests at the Tokyo Olympics.

The so-called Rule 50 stipulates that players cannot demonstrate while they’re on the field of play, inside the Olympic Village, at the medal podium, and all other official Olympic ceremonies. If players are to protest outside Olympic venues, the IOC warns this should happen in accordance with local legislation and regulation. So, whether we will witness a new wave of demonstrations and protests is yet to be revealed.