Cincinnati Bengals field general Joe Burrow had a miserable end to the 2025 NFL season, but he certainly found a silver lining as he participated in the Fanatics Flag Football Classic in Los Angeles. However, the signal-caller found himself at the center of online reactions after an uncharacteristic moment during the event.
Representing the Wildcats against Team USA’s established flag football squad, Burrow endured a tough start that quickly caught the attention of the NFL world across social media.
How the NFL World Reacted to Joe Burrow’s Pick-Six at the Fanatics Flag Football Classic
Early in the game, Burrow, who is probably still adjusting to the new dynamics on the field, threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown by Team USA’s Isaiah Calhoun, giving the opposition an early advantage.
The play set the tone for what became a challenging outing for the NFL star, as the Wildcats struggled to keep pace in a game that ultimately ended in a 39-14 defeat.
As clips of the interception circulated online, several prominent voices weighed in with sharp and often humorous reactions, highlighting just how surprising the moment was for a quarterback of Burrow’s caliber.
“If I am a Bengals fan I am having a stroke watching Joe Burrow in this game,” Justin Penik of Talkin’ Giants posted on X, reacting to the early struggles and the unexpected nature of the play.
If I am a Bengals fan I am having a stroke watching Joe Burrow in this game pic.twitter.com/mZvcwCx6Wr
— Justin Penik (@JustinPenik) March 21, 2026
“Joe Burrow just threw a Pick 6 to the non-NFL team in the Fanatics flag football game,” Underdog posted with a crying emoji and the clip, emphasizing the contrast between Burrow’s NFL pedigree and the result against a specialized flag football team.
Joe Burrow just threw a Pick 6 to the non-NFL team in the fanatics flag football game 😠pic.twitter.com/Nz1FijDzPg
— Underdog (@Underdog) March 21, 2026
Barstool Sports’ Michael Grier reacted to the Underdog video, suggesting that similar mistakes by other quarterbacks might draw even harsher criticism: “If Nine did this they’d be demanding a military tribunal.”
“My QB would never,” The 4 Man Rush, a Panthers podcast, posted on X, adding to the wave of playful jabs from rival fanbases.
While the reactions were swift, the context of the event is important. The Fanatics Flag Football Classic brought together NFL players and experienced flag football athletes, highlighting the differences between the traditional game and its non-contact variation.
Despite the setback, Burrow did show flashes of his usual ability, including a touchdown pass to DeAndre Hopkins later in the game. However, the Wildcats struggled defensively and couldn’t match the speed and cohesion of Team USA, who went on to dominate not just this matchup but also a later game against another squad.
The outing comes at a time when flag football is gaining global attention ahead of its debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Burrow himself had recently expressed interest in potentially representing Team USA on that stage, calling the chance to win a gold medal a lifelong dream.
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“I’ve always wanted to play in the Olympics, I’ve never necessarily played an Olympics sport, so when this was announced I was excited about it,” Burrow said during a media interaction, via Jeremy Rauch of FOX19. “The opportunity to win a gold medal something that I’ve thought about, a moment like that, for a long time, since I was a kid. I think it would be something very special.”
This performance certainly made an impact, but also served as a reminder that success in games like flag football requires a different skill set and level of familiarity. Team USA’s dominant showing reinforced that NFL stars won’t automatically excel without adapting to the nuances of the sport.
