Flacco Finds Joy in Solitude and Anticipation

As he enters his age-40 season, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco is reflecting on the wisdom that comes with age. During a press conference on Wednesday, Flacco candidly shared his new perspective, recalling how he used to feel sympathy for individuals dining alone. "I used to see guys sitting at the bar by themselves or just sitting by themselves eating and grabbing a little meal and thinking, 'man, I feel so bad for that guy.' You almost want to go join him. And now I realize that dude was in heaven," he remarked, highlighting his newfound appreciation for solitude.

Flacco's comments come as he navigates the challenges of playing in Cincinnati while his family remains elsewhere. However, he noted that they will be in town for the upcoming game against the New York Jets, providing him company for what he humorously describes as his early bird dinners. Flacco acknowledged that his dinner habits—eating at 4:30 p.m.—are another light-hearted nod to his age, quipping about the lack of Bengals fans approaching him at restaurants for photos.

Looking Ahead: Bengals Host Jets

This week, Flacco’s spirits are high following the Bengals' thrilling 33-31 victory over the rival Pittsburgh Steelers. With a home game on the horizon against the struggling 0-7 Jets, the Bengals are eager to capitalize on their momentum. Flacco hopes that a successful outing will result in more picture requests from fans around Cincinnati, even if they're taken during the early dinner hours. Ideally, it will be a celebratory evening with his family after a hard-fought game.