Joe Burrow’s AFC Championship jersey gifted to Kid Cudi. What sparked the friendship?

It could have gone to Canton, Ohio, to display in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but the jersey worn by Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow in last week’s AFC Championship Game had a different destination.

Instead, the confident second-year quarterback gifted his jersey to another Ohio legend — rapper Kid Cudi.

Cudi, whose given name is Scott Mescudi, said he texted Burrow after the Bengals’ win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, Jan. 30, asking for his jersey. Bold question, but one worth asking for the “Day ‘n’ Nite” rapper.

“He said yes and sent it right away,” Cudi said in a Facebook post. “Rockin this ... to the game and then framing it. I am so geeked right now.”

The two have a massive amount of respect for one another, and Burrow said as much after the Bengals clinched the AFC championship.

Burrow said Cudi was one of his idols growing up. He went on to name some of the rapper’s most iconic songs.

“I listen to ‘New York City Rage Fest’ every game day right before I go out,” Burrow said. “’Man on the Moon.’ I like all his stuff.”

Cudi, whose birthday was Sunday, called Burrow’s answer “the illest s--- ever” and applauded the quarterback for his game.

“Best bday gift ever to be honest,” Cudi later said.

And that’s, as the Bengals said Friday, Feb. 4, just some “Ohio love.”

This story was originally published February 4, 2022 at 4:21 PM.