On the evening of Monday, Dec. 9, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow became the latest victim of a home burglary. While Burrow was out of town for the Monday Night game, model, and influencer Olivia Ponton discovered the break-in at his Anderson Township residence and contacted the police.
According to a police report cited by People, Ponton, 22, arrived at the $7.5 million mansion around 8:14 p.m. to find a shattered bedroom window and signs of a ransacked room. Acting quickly, she called her mother, who then made the 911 call. Deputies arrived shortly after to secure the scene and gather evidence, while the Criminal Intelligence Section documented the damage and collected potential leads.
Ponton, who boasts a massive social media following with nearly 3 million Instagram followers and 7.6 million on TikTok, was identified in the police report as an employee of Burrow. She provided authorities with a preliminary list of items that appeared to be missing, though Burrow himself has yet to confirm the losses.
In an audio recording of the 911 call obtained by TMZ, Ponton’s mother can be heard asking whether her daughter should stay hidden or leave the house. Ponton reportedly described the scene in a separate call, saying, “Someone broke into my house… It’s like completely messed up.” Law enforcement is now working to identify suspects, checking with neighbors for surveillance footage and other potential evidence. Police noted that Burrow, 28, was away during the incident and could not immediately account for the stolen items.
The burglary comes amid a troubling trend of break-ins targeting professional athletes. Just last month, Kansas City Chiefs players Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce had their homes burglarized within days of each other. Earlier in the year, NBA player Mike Conley’s Minnesota residence was also hit, according to The Minnesota Star Tribune.
In response to the spate of burglaries, the NFL has issued warnings to players and team security directors, urging increased vigilance. With athletes often traveling for games and the public knowledge of their whereabouts, their homes have become vulnerable targets for organized criminals seeking high-value items. Neither Burrow nor Ponton has publicly commented further on the incident. As investigations continue, the high-profile break-in serves as a reminder of the growing risks facing professional athletes and their households.
Joe Burrow is the quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals and one of the NFL’s standout players. At 28, he led the Bengals to their first Super Bowl appearance in over 30 years. On the night of the burglary, Burrow threw for 369 yards and three touchdowns, leading the Bengals to a 27-20 win over the Cowboys and bringing their record to 5-8. Despite the team’s challenges this season, Burrow has been outstanding, amassing 3,706 passing yards, 33 touchdowns, and just six interceptions so far.
Olivia Ponton is a prominent American model and influencer known for her lifestyle and fashion content. Originally from Naples, Florida, she gained widespread attention on TikTok during the pandemic in 2020 and later became a member of the social media collective, The Hype House. Ponton has modeled for major brands such as Victoria’s Secret, Sports Illustrated, and Ralph Lauren. It is not yet known in what capacity Ponton is employed by Burrow.