Photo Credit: Getty Images
Joe Burrow, quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals, spoke out two days after his Ohio home was burglarized. Addressing reporters on Wednesday, Dec. 11, the 28-year-old shared his frustration over the invasion, which occurred on Dec. 9 while he was in Texas for a game against the Dallas Cowboys.
"Obviously, everybody has heard what happened," Burrow said. "I feel like my privacy has been violated in more ways than one. There's already way more information out there than I would want, and that's all I have to say about it."
According to a police report obtained by PEOPLE, deputies from the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office responded to Burrow's Anderson Township residence after influencer and model Olivia Ponton's mother called 911.
In audio obtained by TMZ, Ponton's mother is heard asking whether her daughter should hide or leave the house. Ponton, 22, later told dispatchers, "Someone broke into my house... It's completely messed up."
The report describes Ponton as an employee of Burrow. She told authorities she discovered a shattered bedroom window and a ransacked room upon arrival. Ponton provided police with a list of potentially missing items, though specific details remain undisclosed.
Burrow, reflecting on the incident, admitted the lack of privacy has been a long-standing challenge. "We live a public life, and one of my least favorite parts of that is the lack of privacy," he said. "It's been difficult to deal with throughout my career. I'm still learning, but I understand it comes with the life we choose."
When asked whether he feels targeted as a professional athlete, referencing similar burglaries at the homes of Kansas City Chiefs players Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes in October, Burrow declined to elaborate. "I've said everything I want to say about it," he responded.
The incident highlights ongoing concerns about the safety and privacy of high-profile athletes. Representatives for both Burrow and Ponton have yet to comment further.
