Joe Burrow walked into the Cincinnati Bengals' training camp in July 2024, and the internet basically imploded. It wasn’t a record-breaking contract or a surgically repaired wrist that had everyone talking—though those were definitely on the list. No, it was the hair. Specifically, a platinum, bleach-blonde buzz cut that looked like it walked straight out of an Eminem music video from 1999.
Some called it a mid-life crisis at twenty-seven. Others dubbed him "Slim Shiesty." Honestly, the Joe Burrow frosted hair (or more accurately, the full-bleach buzz) was the kind of aesthetic pivot nobody saw coming from the guy who usually rocks the "clean-cut Ohio boy" or "Paris Fashion Week model" vibe.
Why He Actually Did It (Hint: It Wasn’t Deep)
People love to look for deep, symbolic meaning in athlete style changes. Was he "shedding" the skin of a lost 2023 season? Was it a psychological tactic to signal a new era?
"I got bored," Burrow told reporters, flatly, during a press conference on the first day of camp.
That was it. Boredom. But there was also a little bit of locker room instigation involved. Burrow revealed that defensive tackle B.J. Hill was the primary catalyst. Apparently, the two had a bit of a pact: if Burrow buzzed and bleached his hair, Hill had to follow suit. Hill actually kept his word about a week later, appearing with his own shock of blonde hair, making the Bengals' defensive line look significantly more "boy band" than usual.
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The Eminem Comparisons and the 2000s Resurgence
The moment the Bengals’ social media team posted the photo with the caption "Guess who’s back," the "Real Slim Shady" comparisons were inevitable. It wasn’t just the color; it was the specific, aggressive shortness of the buzz.
It’s a look that feels very 2026—a callback to Y2K aesthetics that has been sweeping through the NFL. We’ve seen it before. Justin Bieber did it. Odell Beckham Jr. made a career out of various iterations of it. But on Burrow, it felt different because of his usually stoic, almost corporate-cool persona.
Interestingly, this wasn't actually his first time going blonde. Digging back into the archives, Burrow rocked a similar bleached look during his senior year at Athens High School back in 2015. So, technically, this was a "return to roots" for the guy.
What People Got Wrong
- The "Tricked" Story: There was a wild rumor circulating on Reddit and TikTok that a fan had tricked Burrow into shaving his head for a fake charity cause. Not true. It was purely a bet with a teammate and a case of offseason "I'm bored with my reflection."
- The "Frosted" Terminology: While people search for "frosted hair," that usually implies highlights. Burrow went full platinum. It was a chemical commitment.
The Style Evolution: From Vogue to the Buzz
Just weeks before the bleach job, Burrow was in Paris for Vogue World, walking the runway in a backless suit. He got roasted for that, too. He's a guy who seems increasingly comfortable being the center of the fashion conversation, even if it means taking some heat from his teammates in the group chat.
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His barber, Darnell Bonner—who handles a lot of the Bengals' roster—joked on Instagram that his "clippers slipped" and Burrow "fell in bleach."
But let's be real: at this level of fame, every strand of hair is curated. The transition from the longer, wavy locks of the previous season to the military-grade bleach buzz was a calculated move to reset the narrative. Coming off a season-ending wrist injury, the "New Joe" look was a visual way to say that the 2023 version was gone.
Does the Hair Actually Matter for the Game?
Football fans are notoriously superstitious. When Burrow showed up for Week 1 against the New England Patriots still sporting the blonde, but with a little more regrowth (giving it that true "frosted" look as the dark roots came in), the pressure was on.
Unfortunately, the Bengals dropped that opener 16-10. Immediately, the "Curse of the Blonde" talk started. Fans are fickle—they love the "Slim Shiesty" energy when he's throwing for 400 yards, but the moment an interception happens, it's "cut your hair and focus on the playbook."
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Nuance is rare in sports commentary. The reality is that Joe Burrow’s hair has zero impact on his ability to read a Cover 2 defense. However, it has a massive impact on his "brand." He's currently one of the few NFL players who successfully crosses over into the lifestyle and fashion world without it feeling forced.
Keeping Up the Look: Insights for Your Own Reset
If you’re actually looking to mimic the Joe Burrow frosted hair style, you need to know a few things about the maintenance.
- Don't DIY the Bleach: Burrow has access to top-tier stylists like Bonner. Platinum blonde on dark hair usually requires a high-volume developer that can easily fry your scalp if you're not careful.
- Purple Shampoo is Non-Negotiable: To keep it from turning that weird "mac and cheese" yellow, you have to use toning products. By mid-season, you could see Burrow's hair shifting more toward a silver-blonde, likely due to professional toning.
- The Buzz Grows Fast: A look this short requires a trim every 10 to 14 days to keep it looking intentional rather than just "messy."
Burrow’s hair journey is a reminder that even in the high-stakes world of the NFL, these guys are still just people who get bored and want to change things up. Whether he keeps the bleach through the next few seasons or goes back to his natural brown, the "Slim Shady" era of Cincinnati football is already cemented in the team's lore.
If you’re thinking about pulling a "Joey B" and reaching for the bleach, start by asking your barber for a #2 or #3 guard buzz and a platinum tone—but maybe skip the bet with a 300-pound defensive tackle unless you're prepared for the consequences.