After almost five months of downtime in the offseason, some players return to training camp with a new look, just like Joe Burrow did with the Cincinnati Bengals.
After his curly locks were spotted modeling in Paris last month, the former Heisman Trophy winner reported to Bengals training camp not afraid to take on a new style.
#Bengals QB Joe Burrow arrives at training camp to Finish the Story!
(Via @Bengals) pic.twitter.com/QbnpTtfGSH
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365)
With the bleach blonde buzz cut setting social media ablaze, here’s how the NFL world reacted to Burrow’s hair change.
Joe Burrow Arrives At Training Camp With Shocking New Hair Style
As mentioned above, Burrow and former LSU teammate and Minnesota Vikings WR Justin Jefferson walked at Vogue World 2024 in June as part of Paris Fashion Week. Wanting to learn more about the industry, the two made their modeling debut in June. Burrow must have made the stark change in appearance shortly after.
Joe Burrow last month in Paris vs today in Cincinnati pic.twitter.com/u3BPqzDhju
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball)
“I’ve always loved clothes but never really understood the industry, so I wanted to learn more,” Burrow told Vogue in June. “I wanted to get out of my comfort zone and grow as a person, [and] I think walking in the show is a great way to do that. I think the crossover between fashion and sport is going to continue to grow.”
With the release of Eminem’s most recent album, “The Death of Slim Shady,” the comparisons of Burrow’s new haircut to the Detroit rapper’s persona have been bountiful. However, NFL Network analyst Michael F. Florio points out that the real Slim Shady will always return.
Eminem tried to kill Slim Shady but he came back as Joe Burrow https://t.co/OXRUTiRFlo
— Michael F. Florio (@MichaelFFlorio)
Florio wasn’t the only NFL personality to join in on the fun. Kansas City Chiefs and Super Bowl LVII and LVIII Champion Justin Reid responded to the NFL’s tweet with a few notable lookalikes as well: “Ric Flair? Cody Rhodes? Eminem?”
Rick Flair? Cody Rhodes? Eminem? 🤔
— Justin Reid (@JustinqReid)
Even the Bengals’ social media team decided to join in on the fun, sending out the same image with the caption “Guess who’s back” in reference to one of Eminem’s biggest hits.
Guess who’s back 🎶 pic.twitter.com/dwHy2zymH2
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals)
Burow wasn’t the only Bengal to sport a new hairdo, and the buzzcut may be a theme as 2021 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Ja’Marr Chase also came to the Bengals facility with a new look. The signature braids are gone, with the same buzz cut (bleached hair aside) in their place.
They were at Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin’s July 4 party with their previous hairstyles, meaning the buzzcuts are fresh. Maybe there was too much mom’s spaghetti at the party, spurning the duo to change? Will any more of their teammates join them?
Is the buzz cut a trend? pic.twitter.com/9yG4rdFmQ6
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals)
Burrow’s new look turned some heads even if no one else joins in. Defenses won’t love the way he lies to them with his ability to figure out the coverage, and fans are sure to stan over the Bengals QB1’s haircut.
