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While Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco has been known to be a quite reserved personality through his 18-year NFL career, the veteran signal caller has delivered some surprisingly interesting soundbites in recent weeks.
Earlier this season, for example, Joe Flacco — after being traded from the Cleveland Browns to the Cincinnati Bengals — opened eyes with his explanation of why he remains determined to play in the National Football League despite now being 40 years old.
“I just feel like I have a lot to offer to the football team. I feel like I’ve put in a lot of work, my whole life, to get to this point. You only get a chance to play in the NFL once and I don’t want to take that for granted,” Flacco said.
That sort of wisdom from the former Super Bowl MVP seems to extend beyond the football field, though, as he recently dropped some insightful knowledge about the pleasures of eating a quiet meal by yourself at the bar.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco details the pleasure of eating a meal by yourself at the bar
“For me, it’s trying to find ways to maybe stay over here a little bit longer, then just take myself out of that mindset and call home. Go sit at a restaurant by myself and realize that man, that’s pretty enjoyable to do,” Flacco told the media this week ahead of the Bengals’ Week 8 matchup against the New York Jets.
“I tell people all the time, I used to see guys sitting at a bar by themselves or just sitting by themselves eating and I’m like, ‘Man, I feel so bad for that guy.’ You always want to go join him and now I realize, that dude was in heaven. And not to say that’s not what I want, I’d rather be at home sitting at the dinner table with my kids and hearing what the hell they were talking about all day. But if you have to do it, you may as well take advantage of it.”
“I used to see guys sitting at the bar by themselves eating and I used to feel so bad for them and now I realize that dude was in heaven.”
Not many of us can relate with being on a new team, in a new city, without our family, but many of us can relate to this. pic.twitter.com/FhSgSe6Jd8
— Joe Danneman (@FOX19Joe) October 22, 2025
Given the relatability of Flacco’s comments, the soundbite went immediately viral, with dudes of a certain age unanimously agreeing with Flacco’s take.
This is first ballot relatable. https://t.co/vsLTSnrqJr
— Kyle Brandt (@KyleBrandt) October 22, 2025
The more he talks, the more interesting I find this guy. https://t.co/Rx73MsTHDy
— LanceMcAlister (@LanceMcAlister) October 22, 2025
Truly blows my mind that he’s become this ronin for the everyman who shows up like once a year, delivers a few classic quotes and fun moments on the field, and then heads to the next town who needs him. If Kurosawa or Sergio Leone made a sports movie, that’s the premise. https://t.co/fpkhuKmnav
— Jake Louque (@jakelouque) October 22, 2025
Two games into his Bengals career, Flacco has a passer rating of 100.0 with 561 yards, 5 touchdowns, and no interceptions.