Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow “did not” interact with Vice President JD Vance when the politician made a surprise appearance at practice on Wednesday, October 21.
“He came with everybody and left with swiftness and efficiency before the end of practice, so I didn’t get to,” Burrow, 29, told reporters after practice.
Vance, 42, arrived to practice with a motorcade and his son Vivek, 6, shortly after speaking at a rally in nearby Sharonville, Ohio.
Burrow said the vice president’s arrival resulted in “a lot of people around.”
“That’s what I love about what I do,” Burrow mused. “It brings a lot of people together, and people want to take time out of their day to come and watch what we do, watch what I do and watch all of the work that I’ve put in to come and watch greatness.”
He continued, “Everybody in the locker room, that’s why we do what we do — whether it’s on TV, whether it’s in person, whether it’s on the practice field. That’s what we do.”
Vance got a tour of the Bengals locker room while he was on the premises and was seen shaking hands with tight end Drew Sample. Most players, however, seemed to ignore or politely smile at Vance as they made their way inside.
The vice president is from Middletown, Ohio, and has been a lifelong Bengals fan.
Before the start of last NFL season, Vance commented on what he perceived to be the NFL’s allegiance to the Kansas City Chiefs while referencing his Bengals fandom.
“As a football fan, as a Cincinnati Bengals fan, I hope the NFL does not put a thumb on the scale just because Travis Kelce is now getting married to maybe the most famous woman in the world,” Vance told USA Today in August 2025, referencing the Chiefs tight end, 37, and his now-wife, Taylor Swift.
Vance continued, “I’m worried they’re going to have, like, a Super Bowl wedding thing this season. Can’t do it. The Kansas City Chiefs have to follow the same rules.”
The Chiefs, in fact, ended up missing the playoffs for the first time since 2014.
Despite the Chiefs shade, Vance gave his well-wishes to Kelce, 37, and Swift, 36, who got married in July.
“I think people want politicians to focus on politics, and they want celebrities to focus on whatever it is that made them famous, whether it’s singing or dancing or acting,” Vance said. “But, you know, I’m a romantic.”
He continued, “When I see two people who are in love getting married, I just wish them the best, and I congratulate them. And I hope they have a very long, healthy and happy life together.”
