Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow joins a growing list of NFL stars whose homes have become targets of sophisticated burglary operations during game days.
According to Daily Wire, Burrow's $7.5 million Ohio residence was broken into and ransacked while he led the Bengals to a 27-20 victory over the Dallas Cowboys in Texas on Monday night.
The incident came to light when a woman called 911 reporting that her daughter, who was staying at Burrow's house, discovered intruders attempting to break in. The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office confirmed the break-in, which left the property in disarray according to subsequent reports from the person inside the residence.
The break-in at Burrow's home follows a disturbing pattern of targeted burglaries affecting high-profile NFL players. The league recently distributed a security memo to teams and players, highlighting the increasing threat from organized crime groups specifically targeting professional athletes' homes during games.
The NFL's warning emphasizes the sophisticated nature of these criminal operations, describing them as well-organized and skilled. Players have been advised to take additional security precautions and avoid sharing information about their residences or valuable possessions on social media platforms.
This preventive measure came after similar incidents involving Kansas City Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, whose homes were targeted in October. The timing of these break-ins coincided with the Chiefs' Monday Night Football game against the New Orleans Saints.
Law enforcement authorities believe a South American crime syndicate may be responsible for at least some of these targeted burglaries. The connection emerged following investigations into the break-ins at both Chiefs players' homes.
The burglary at Kelce's residence resulted in approximately $20,000 in stolen cash and property damage to a back door. Mahomes' home was targeted the day before the Saints game, demonstrating the criminals' strategic approach to timing these break-ins.
The mother of the person staying at Burrow's residence expressed her concern during the 911 call:
My daughter is there. This is Joe Burrow's house. She is staying there. He's at the football game. She's wondering what she should do, if she should be hiding, or if she should go outside. She said someone was in the house.
These incidents underscore a growing security challenge facing professional athletes whose schedules are publicly known. The NFL's memo specifically addresses the systematic nature of these crimes, noting that the perpetrators are targeting homes when players are known to be away at games.
The trend has prompted increased attention to security measures among professional athletes. Teams and players are now reviewing their security protocols and implementing additional safeguards to protect their properties during away games.
The burglary at Joe Burrow's Ohio residence represents the latest in a series of targeted break-ins affecting NFL players during game days. The incident occurred while the Bengals quarterback was leading his team to victory in Texas, joining fellow NFL stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce as victims of what appears to be a coordinated crime operation.
Law enforcement agencies are actively investigating these cases, with particular attention to possible connections to a South American crime syndicate. The NFL has responded by implementing enhanced security measures and issuing warnings to players about sharing personal information on social media platforms.
