Joe Flacco is all of us while working away from our families.
The Cincinnati Bengals quarterback opened up about his new perspective of eating meals away from his family, since the 40-year-old quarterback has been gone throughout the 2025 NFL season.
Flacco had been retired and spending much more time with his family before coming out and signing with the Cleveland Browns during the 2023 NFL season.
Flacco, 40, won the NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award and has continued to play on, first signing with the Indianapolis Colts before rejoining Cleveland before it traded him to Cincinnati on Oct. 7.
Joe Flacco Enjoys Eating In A Restaurant By Himself Now
Flacco moved to Cleveland to be by himself, after he was with his family in Indianapolis a year ago. He left his family behind in New Jersey so not to upset his kids’ routine of school, extracurricular activities and friendships — particularly given his tenuous grip on the Browns’ starting-QB spot with two rookies breathing down his neck.
But as a native of New Jersey, Flacco, one would think, surely would appreciate the peace and solitude of alone time — particularly since he and his wife have five kids. Yet, the veteran QB admitted that wasn’t necessarily always the case, in a clip that has since gone viral.
“There’s been challenges with [being away from his family]. I love being there and around them and doing all those things,” Flacco said. “For me it’s trying to find ways to kind of take myself out of the [loneliness] mindset, call home, go sit at a restaurant by myself and realize that’s pretty enjoyable to do.”
Flacco admitted he used to pity men who were sitting in a restaurant, or at a bar, all alone. Yet, aside from being on the Bengals, Flacco is also on the side of team independence.
“I used to see guys sitting at a bar by themselves or just sitting by themselves eating and grabbing a little meal and [thinking] ‘man, I feel so bad for that guy,’” Flacco said. “You almost want to go join him, and now I realize that dude was in heaven.”
Joe Flacco’s Family Will Be At The Bengals’ Game Against The New York Jets On Sunday
Flacco will suit up for his third game in a Bengals uniform and will be hoping to pick up his second win — after he threw for 342 yards and three touchdowns while helping Cincinnati upset the rival Pittsburgh Steelers 33-31 on Thursday night.
He’ll have some friendly faces in the stands cheering for him, since his family is coming to watch him this weekend against the winless New York Jets on Sunday before they head back to New Jersey.
Flacco stated he’d give up the thin slice of heaven for more time with his family — though he still has those years ahead of him and is taking the alone time in stride.
“I’d rather be at home sitting at the dinner table with my kids and listening to what the hell they were doing all day,” Flacco said. “But if you have to do it, you might as well take advantage of it.”
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