THE PLAINS, Ohio — Bengals Quarterback Joe Burrow’s rise to stardom has been no surprise to many people in Ohio who believed in his abilities.

But no one believes in his abilities more than his parents. 

Nearly two years ago, Joe Burrow was selected No. 1 overall, with his parents Robin and Jimmy Burrow at his side from their family home in The Plains. 

Since then, Joe’s NFL start has been a whirlwind. He tore his ACL his rookie year against Washington, fought through rehab and now has led the Bengals to the AFC Championship game in just his second year. 

“Him getting hurt last year and being able to come back and play this kind of a level and his teammates rallying around him and the coaches rallying around him, the fans rallying back around him, it's really been amazing,” Robin said.

Jimmy said it's been very gratifying to see Joe flip the Bengals' fortunes from worst in the league to an AFC Championship appearance. 

“Just that now he's doing it in the state of Ohio, two and a half hours from where he grew up makes us even more proud,” Jimmy said.  

Despite the meteoric rise to stardom, his parents said “Joe Cool” has never changed.  

“He's always just kind of been Joe, and his demeanor now is the way he was when he was, honestly, five or seven or eight,” Robin said. “It's just the way he's always been.” 

“Around here, I mean, a lot of people still call him Joey,” Jimmy said. “Well, that's just Joey out there because they've seen it so many times when he was growing up and especially in high school.”

Joe Burrow and his parents at his graduation from Ohio State University.

The reality is "Joey B," from small town southeast Ohio is about to go toe-to-toe and score-for-score against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs — challenge Joe and the Bengals welcome. 

“Obviously, a really good team, if you want to do the things that we want to do,” Joe said. “That's a team that you're going to have to beat every single year, you know, the AFC is run through them for four straight years. So we're excited about the opportunity. We're going to have a great week of practice. We'll be ready to go.” 

The Burrows will be right there cheering him along from the stands, not the suites, as they have all season. 

“Probably be a little bit hoarse on Monday morning,” Robin said.

“We'll still have our number nines on, and our Bengal gear, and we'll be ready to go,” Jimmy said. “It's going to be fun. We're looking forward to it. And as I said before, the journey continues, and there's a lot, a lot of great things going to happen in the Bengals future.”