THE PLAINS, Ohio —

Before Joe Burrow was an NFL star, he was a small-town kid growing up in southeastern Ohio.

Those who have coached him along the way say Burrow has not forgotten where he came from.

Sam Smathers coached Burrow as a youth. Smathers assisted author Scott Burson in writing "From Bulldog to Bengal: The Joe Burrow Story Through the Eyes of His Hometown."

Ahead of its release, Smathers walked WLWT through the making of a champion.

"We're just, we're very proud, very proud of him. He's just Joe," Smathers said.

Plains, Ohio is where it all started for Burrow.

Smathers has video footage from when Burrow was a quarterback in third grade. With no one open downfield, he decided to run the ball.

Videos from sixth grade show Burrow executing more plays.

"They bring back all the memories. All the memories come back," Smathers said as he watched a highlight reel. "I've watched him grow up, and I've watched damn near every game he's ever played.

Fast forward to high school, Burrow became more competitive.

"He was very competitive in practice and the game, but he wasn't a rah-rah guy," Smathers said.

Burrow led by example.

"Everybody can see that. He's a silent leader," Smathers said.

Burrow led Athens High School to the playoffs and the state championship his senior year.

"That whole group of kids that came through there was just a talented group. You get that every so often, a good group of kids coming through, and Joe was part of that," Smathers said.

Burrow also excelled in basketball. Academics came easy to him. Teachers described him as shy and likeable. Students voted him most likely to become famous in addition to most athletic.

Smathers gives a lot of credit to Burrow's parents, Jim and Robin Burrow.

"They're just that type of people. Down to earth, well-grounded, and that's where Joey gets it," Smathers said. "He hasn't forgotten. He knows where he's from. He's proud of where he's from. I know he is," Smathers said.

That was evident throughout college at Louisiana State University and during his Heisman trophy moment, where he highlighted the issue of food insecurity in Athens County.

"People here understand that he's fed a lot of people, and they're very grateful for what he's done here," Smathers said.

And what he continues to do as a Cincinnati Bengal.

"When we win it, we're gonna win it, and it'll be our way, and way we're going to do it," Smathers said.

Smathers said he helped write the book with blessings from Burrow and his parents.

It's set to be released in the spring.

More information can be found, here.

NEW ORLEANS, La. – Drew Brees announced Sunday that he’s retiring after 20 years in the NFL.

The quarterback made the announcement on Instagram, saying “it is time I retire from the game of football."

The 42-year-old spent a majority of his career with the New Orleans Saints, playing on the team for 15 years and helping them win a Super Bowl title in 2010. In fact, it was 15 years ago to the day when Brees signed with the team, NBC Sports reports.

“Each day, I poured my heart & soul into being your Quarterback. Til the very end, I exhausted myself to give everything I had to the Saints organization, my team, and the great city of New Orleans,” wrote Brees in his Instagram caption.

Brees specified that although he’s retiring from football, he’s “not retiring from New Orleans."

“This is not goodbye, rather a new beginning. Now my real life’s work begins!” wrote Brees.

Before his time in the NFL, Brees also had a successful college football career at Purdue University, becoming one of the most decorated players at the school and in Big Ten Conference history.

In his retirement post, Brees included a video of his children saying their dad can now spend more time with them.