LAS COLINAS, Texas — During the Cincinnati Bengals’ Monday night game against the Dallas Cowboys, quarterback Joe Burrow’s home was burglarized, marking the third known NFL player targeted in a series of high-profile break-ins.
NFL security has teamed up with the FBI to investigate these incidents, league commissioner Roger Goodell announced this week.
“I’ve been in direct contact with the union and our security department,” Goodell said Wednesday during the league’s annual winter meeting. “There are precautions all of us can and should take. When you’re in a high-profile position and people see you on TV, knowing you’re not home, does that create an opportunity? Absolutely. It’s clear there’s an organized effort here, and we’re hopeful the FBI and authorities can resolve this.”
A Widening Trend
The burglary at Burrow’s Cincinnati-area home occurred roughly two months after similar incidents at the homes of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce. Beyond the NFL, the homes of NBA players Bobby Portis (Milwaukee Bucks) and Mike Conley Jr. (Minnesota Timberwolves) were also targeted.
According to a Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office report obtained by the Cincinnati Enquirer, model and influencer Olivia Ponton was at Burrow’s home during the break-in. The situation has left the quarterback deeply frustrated.
“I feel like my privacy has been violated in more ways than one,” Burrow said during his weekly news conference. “Far more information is out there than I’d ever want shared. Living a public life means sacrificing privacy, and that has always been one of the hardest parts of my career. I’m still learning how to deal with it, but it doesn’t make it any easier.”
League-Wide Response
The NFL recently issued a memo to team security directors and the NFLPA, warning that the homes of professional athletes across multiple sports leagues are increasingly being targeted by organized, skilled groups. According to the memo, game days are a common time for these burglaries.
The league advised players to avoid sharing images of expensive items like jewelry or luxury clothing on social media. It also recommended installing alarm systems, cameras, and motion-sensor lights, as some burglary groups employ advanced surveillance tactics, such as fake home deliveries, posing as groundskeepers, or jogging in neighborhoods to monitor targets.
Athletes Take Action
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has already taken precautions. He hired personal security after one of his cars was broken into earlier this year.
“It’s too close for comfort, especially with my family in the house,” Tagovailoa said Thursday. “Now, we have personal security. When we’re on the road, someone stays with my wife, and there’s always someone at the house. And just so it’s clear—they’re armed.
“So if anyone plans to come to my house, I hope they think twice.”
With the investigation ongoing, the NFL is urging all players to remain vigilant and prioritize their safety.
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