The holiday spirit hit differently as Joe Burrow put a unique spin on the NFL’s quarterback gift-giving tradition.
The Cincinnati Bengals star surprised his offensive linemen with authentic Japanese katana swords, each carrying its own historical significance from notable towns or famous battles.
Not everyone is sold on Burrow’s creative choice, however, and former NBA star Paul Pierce shared his thoughts, making it clear he wasn’t impressed with the samurai-style presents.
Pierce compared Burrow’s gift to what other NFL quarterbacks chose for their linemen, including Brock Purdy’s Toyota trucks and Patrick Mahomes’ Rolex gift bags.
“Man, if you don’t get that d— Samurai sword out of here,” Pierce said on “Speak.”
.@paulpierce34 isn’t a fan of Joe Burrow’s gift to his offensive linemen. 😅
“Man, if you don’t get that Samurai sword out of here!” pic.twitter.com/st3oSlsj7q
— Speak (@SpeakOnFS1) December 20, 2024
Pierce further questioned the practicality of gifting swords to men who risk everything to keep Burrow safe.
He emphasized that for an offensive line performing at such a high level, helping Burrow maintain his elite statistical standing, the gift choice seemed misaligned with their contributions.
Pierce didn’t stop there, suggesting that at least Purdy’s gift had real-world value, something you could pass on to someone else if you wanted to make their day.
The San Francisco 49ers quarterback went all out despite his modest NFL salary. He handed out five Toyota Sequoias and five Toyota Tundras, all decked out with extra features.
The total gift value reportedly surpassed $750,000, particularly generous considering Purdy’s annual salary is just $900,000.
NEXT: Joe Burrow Bought Unique Gift For His Offensive Linemen
