When it’s the NFL offseason, media focus tends to shift to players’ personal lives as they enjoy time off, and Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is the latest to receive the spotlight. The signal-caller is known for keeping his dating life private; however, it recently drew major backlash.
Bengals QB Joe Burrow Slammed for How He Treats Olivia Ponton
Burrow, unlike most sports stars, doesn’t have a long dating history. In 2017, his romantic life first came to light when he started dating data analyst Olivia Holzmacher. Their long-term relationship lasted seven years before they split in 2024.
Later that year, he was rumored to be romantically linked to model Olivia Ponton. They’ve been spotted together at social events, including the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix. However, despite their continued association, they have yet to confirm a relationship.
Among the things bothering some fans is how Burrow allegedly treats Ponton. Barstool Sports’ Ria Ciuffo went off on the quarterback’s public behavior with Ponton, slamming the Bengals star for what she deems highly inappropriate conduct.
“Joe Burrow — let me just go on a little bit of a rant,” Ciuffo said on “Chicks in the Office.” “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. You look like a doucheb**. It really is [the least gentlemanly thing you could do].”
Joe Burrow makes gf Olivia Ponton look like a groupie pic.twitter.com/NZgdiVzqYR
— Chicks in the Office (@ChicksInTheOff) May 6, 2026
While Burrow likely has his own personal reason for rarely walking beside Ponton in public, many fans watching them aren’t happy with how he makes her look.
“Any man who’s walking that far ahead of you — you look like a douc***,” Ciuffo added. “Everyone knows you’re dating. We see you out and about all the time. Hold her damn 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.”
The couple has been linked since December 2024 and have also previously been spotted at Met Gala after-parties.
The 23-year-old Ponton is a successful model with IMG Models, having collaborated with high-end brands like Calvin Klein, Skims, LoveShackFancy, Victoria’s Secret, and Ralph Lauren. She rapidly rose to fame as an influencer and content creator during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Burrow, on the other hand, will continue to make the most of the offseason, recharging to come back stronger in his seventh year in the NFL. There’s an opportunity to capitalize on this upcoming season, though, as there are three new head coaches in the AFC North.
