Ohio’s Joe Burrow has found a new opponent, and this one does not wear a helmet or line up on the other side of the ball. It is his hair. The Cincinnati Bengals quarterback, 29, went viral for an unexpectedly relatable reason after Sunday’s game on Jan. 4, when his post-game press conference turned into a quiet showdown between Burrow and his increasingly uncontrollable bangs. The moment came after the Bengals’ 18-20 loss to the Cleveland Browns, a defeat that officially ended the team’s playoff hopes and closed the book on their season.
According to People, from the second Joe Burrow sat down at the microphone, it was clear his hair had plans of its own. His lengthy bangs immediately fell forward, prompting him to rake them back with his hands before any reporter could even get a question out. According to the source, Cincinnati, Ohio’s Burrow ran his fingers through his hair roughly 10 times before the first question was asked. And once the questions started, the hair battle did not stop. While answering a question about his thoughts on the game and the tough loss to end the season, Burrow continued to push his hair back, only for it to fall forward again moments later. This prompted some fans to poke some fun at the Start QB via X. He “Needs a haircut,” stated one. Another joked, “Bro just lost to the Browns, give him a break.“
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It was a small, human moment that quickly captured attention online and added another chapter to Joe Burrow’s long-running relationship with his hair, making headlines. The Ohio quarterback has been known in recent years for his luscious locks, and fans have followed every style change almost as closely as his stat lines. This latest viral moment felt like the natural next step in that saga, with his hair not just being admired but actively interfering.
Back in October, Burrow already topped headlines for his “shaggy hairstyle” when he was spotted at a game for the first time since suffering a turf toe injury in Week 2. At the time, he debuted with grown-out, curly brown hair that hung well over his eyes and even grazed the bridge of his nose. That look marked a noticeable shift from what fans had last seen earlier in the season, especially following his successful surgery on Sept. 19.
While his current look may not be as drastic as some of his past hair choices, it is still making waves. The source points out that his present shag is not quite on the level of his platinum buzz cut from June 2024, a style that shocked fans with its boldness. Still, compared to his earlier appearance this season, Burrow’s hair is undeniably shaggier to the naked eye, and Sunday’s press conference proved just how much it has grown.
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There is also something very on-brand about an NFL quarterback wrapping up a season with a viral hair moment. Press conferences are usually tightly controlled, polished affairs, but Burrow’s constant hair adjustments added an unplanned layer of authenticity. It reminded fans that even elite athletes can be distracted by something as simple as bangs falling into their eyes at the worst possible time.
Unfortunately for anyone hoping to see a rematch between Burrow and his hair anytime soon, it may be a while. With Sunday’s loss, Joe Burrow and Ohio’s Cincinnati Bengals missed playoff contention, and their NFL season has officially come to an end. That means no more post-game press conferences, at least for now, where fans can watch him quietly battle gravity and genetics in real time.
Until then, this press conference stands as a reminder that Joe Burrow’s hair remains one of the most unpredictable forces in Ohio’s football culture. Whether it is a platinum buzz cut, a curly shag, or bangs that refuse to stay put, his hair continues to be part of the conversation, sometimes even stealing the spotlight from the game itself.
