Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model Olivia Ponton has reignited speculation about her rumored relationship with Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow after sharing a cryptic message on Instagram ahead of the Bengals’ pivotal overtime win against the Denver Broncos on Saturday night.
Ponton, 21, posted a carousel of photos from New York City with the caption “rainy day,” accompanied by emojis, including a tiger—seemingly a nod to the Bengals—and a lucky eight-ball emoji. The post immediately caught the attention of fans, many interpreting it as a good-luck message for Burrow, who has been the subject of swirling rumors about a budding romance with Ponton.
Rumored Romance Timeline
The speculation began earlier this month when reports surfaced that Ponton and Burrow, 27, have been “casually seeing each other” since the fall, despite no official confirmation of a split between Burrow and his longtime girlfriend, Olivia Holzmacher.
The rumors gained traction after Burrow’s $7.5 million mansion in Cincinnati was burglarized on December 9 while the quarterback was away for an NFL game in Texas. Ponton was revealed as the person who reported the break-in to authorities, rather than Holzmacher. According to police reports, Ponton discovered a shattered bedroom window and ransacked belongings upon entering the property.
Court documents described Ponton as being “employed by Mr. Burrow,” though the nature of their relationship remains unclear. This revelation fueled widespread speculation about the pair’s connection.
Burrow’s Stellar Performance
Hours after Ponton’s cryptic post, Burrow delivered a masterclass performance on the field, throwing for 412 yards and three touchdowns, including a game-winner in overtime, to keep the Bengals’ playoff hopes alive with a 30-24 victory. The star quarterback has now extended his NFL record of at least 250 passing yards and three touchdowns in eight consecutive games, further bolstering his MVP case.
Burrow’s head coach Zac Taylor didn’t hold back in his praise after the game, declaring, “I wouldn’t trade Joe Burrow for any player in the universe.”
Ponton’s Take on Relationships
Amid the mounting rumors, Ponton recently appeared on Alex Cooper’s Call Her Daddy podcast, where she discussed the challenges of long-distance relationships. Though she did not directly address her connection to Burrow, her comments hinted at the difficulties of maintaining a relationship while balancing busy lives.
“I’ve had numerous long-distance relationships, and it’s hard,” Ponton said. “I feel like every relationship I get into is long-distance, even my friendships… I don’t recommend it, but it’s also kind of inevitable in certain situations.”
She also mentioned the importance of scheduling FaceTime calls to stay connected, further adding to speculation about her relationship with Burrow.
What’s Next?
While Ponton and Burrow remain tight-lipped about their relationship, fans continue to analyze every move for clues. For now, Burrow’s focus remains on leading the Bengals to a playoff berth, while Ponton keeps the internet buzzing with her subtle—and possibly strategic—social media hints.
