When Joe Burrow, the star quarterback of the Cincinnati Bengals, appeared at training camp on Tuesday, he sported a dramatic Joe Burrow Haircut that had fans and the media buzzing. Burrow, known for his boy-band-quality locks, showed up with a bleached blonde buzz cut, a hairstyle more reminiscent of a Detroit-based rapper than an NFL franchise quarterback. The surprising change ignited a flurry of reactions during a typically slow period in the football calendar.
So, what prompted Burrow to make such a radical shift in his appearance? According to the man himself, it was nothing more than a whim. “I got bored,” Burrow explained during a Wednesday news conference. “That’s about it. The first couple of days were definitely a little shocking, but I got used to it.”
The reaction to Burrow’s new look was swift and widespread. Photos of the former LSU Heisman Trophy winner arriving at training camp quickly made the rounds on social media, drawing comparisons to rapper Eminem and wrestler Cody Rhodes. Rhodes even acknowledged the resemblance on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.
Burrow’s transformation didn’t stop at him; it also influenced his teammates. Wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, Burrow’s former college teammate and favorite target, arrived at camp with a new haircut as well. Chase ditched the braids he had worn for much of his career in favor of a closely cropped cut. Additionally, Burrow’s new hairstyle set off a challenge within the team. He mentioned that because he buzzed his hair and dyed it blonde, defensive tackle B.J. Hill now has to follow suit. “Now everybody’s got to hold him accountable because he’s got to do it in the next week,” Burrow said.
This light-hearted moment comes after a challenging season for Burrow. He missed the final seven games of the 2023 season due to a torn scapholunate ligament in his right wrist, an injury he sustained during the Bengals’ 34-20 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on November 16. Despite this setback, Burrow has a strong track record, having led the Bengals to Super Bowl LVI in 2022 and the AFC Championship Game in 2023. His impressive achievements helped him secure a five-year, $275 million extension in September 2024.
Burrow’s new haircut may have been a spontaneous decision, but it has certainly made an impact, bringing some excitement to the offseason and showing a playful side of the star quarterback. As the 2024 NFL season approaches, fans will be watching not just for Burrow’s performance on the field, but also to see if B.J. Hill follows through on the buzzcut challenge.