Joe Burrow Facing Backlash For Treatment Of His Rumored Girlfriend
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow has been called out for apparently handling his love life in a questionable manner.
In December 2024, Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model and TikTok star Olivia Ponton reported a break-in at Burrow's house. Naturally, that sparked rumors about them dating. Although neither one of them have commented on their relationship, they were reportedly getting cozy at the Kentucky Derby.
"After making their way inside, a source tells PEOPLE the pair was "together all night," with Joe sticking "closely to his group" that included Raising Canes founder Todd Graves and football players DeAndre Hopkins, Cam Jordan and Von Miller," People Magazine reported.
"The source says Ponton and Burrow were "cozy as Patti LaBelle sang her classics like ‘Lady Marmalade' and then were on their feet as Joey Fatone, Lance Bass, Howie Dorough and Luis Fonsi ripped through ‘Despacito,' ‘I Want It That Way' and ‘Bye Bye Bye.'" For the latter, the quartet was also joined by Impractical Jokers' Brian Quinn. Both Burrow and Ponton were at the Kentucky Derby the following day at Churchill Downs, but neither shared photos together."
Maria Ciuffo of Barstool Sports isn't exactly a fan of Burrow shielding his relationship with Ponton.
She ultimately believes Burrow is trying to give off the impression that he and Ponton aren't an item.
"I'm so sick of Joe Burrow acting like he's not dating Olivia Ponton. He's walking four feet ahead of her in every photograph. I hate that. By the way, you look like a d----b--," Ciuffo said. "Everyone knows you're dating. We see you out and about all the time. Hold her hand. Let her walk first. Open the car door for her. You don't even have to use PDA. He's always making her look like a groupie. I hate it. It's really grinding my gears."
Who is Olivia Ponton?
Ponton, 23, rose to prominence in 2020 due to her content on TikTok. In 2022, she was asked to pose for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit.
"Through being a part of Sports Illustrated, I have been able to shoot with amazing photographers, travel to really cool places, and be a part of a really special community of women. I first started working with them when I was 18-years-old through TikTok, so I feel extremely honored that I was the first woman who they tapped into from that world," Ponton said. "At that young of age, it gave me the confidence boost to chase what I wanted and that is really what catapulted the start of my career. Shooting with their team has given me the confidence to chase my dreams. I am so thankful to be a part of the Sports Illustratedfamily."
In addition to being an SI Swimsuit model, Ponton has collaborated with marquee brands such as Calvin Klein, Hugo Boss and Skims.
It's unclear if Ponton will return to SI Swimsuit later this month. All we know for certain is that she's enjoying life with Burrow.
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This story was originally published May 6, 2026 at 2:04 PM.