Joe Burrow Makes Rare Comment on Personal Life Amid NFL Struggles

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Joe Burrow is overwhelmed on and off the field. 

The Bengals’ quarterback recently discussed the significant stress he’s experiencing in his personal life and football career, explaining that he feels overwhelmed with responsibilities.

He explained to reporters at a press conference on December 10th that many things were happening at the moment. He repeated that there was simply a lot going on.

When asked if these emotions carried over from football to his personal life, Joe—who usually keeps to himself—surprisingly answered, “Both.”

The 29-year-old athlete, sidelined for most of the season with a serious toe injury on his left foot sustained early on, was honest about how frustrated he’s been with the game he loves.

He said he needs to enjoy what he does to continue. Having gone through a lot, he questions the point of continuing if it’s not enjoyable, and that’s what motivates his approach.

Despite losing to the Buffalo Bills 34-39 on December 7th, Joe is optimistic that his team will improve and have a successful season.

We’re just taking things one week at a time and focusing on winning each game,” he said. “No one is really looking ahead to the playoffs yet. It’s possible we could reach them, but we’re not there yet, so we need to keep working hard and improving.

Beyond a difficult season on the field, Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow also dealt with a home burglary in December 2024. His rumored girlfriend, Olivia Ponton, reported the break-in, and police later charged four men in connection with a string of burglaries targeting athletes’ homes.

Days later, Joe addressed the disadvantages of being in the public eye.

Joe stated in a press conference, as reported by Sports Illustrated, that he felt his privacy had been significantly compromised. He explained that a lot of personal information was already public that he didn’t want shared, and he didn’t want to discuss the matter further.

In dealing with life in the limelight, Joe admitted that he’s still getting his footing.

He explained that living in the public eye is challenging, particularly because of the constant lack of privacy. He’s struggled with this throughout his career and is still adjusting, but recognizes it comes with the territory. Even so, it remains difficult.

For more stars who have shared personal journeys, keep reading…

Rapper Radric Davis, known professionally as Gucci Mane, shared in his 2025 book, Episodes: The Diary of a Recovering Mad Man, that he was diagnosed with both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. He explained that these diagnoses led to a mental health crisis in 2020.

He explained on The Breakfast Club that the experience made him realize he needed to prioritize his health and take responsibility for his well-being. He stated he never wants to go through something similar again and is committed to seeing a therapist, and will even consider medication if necessary.

Gucci Mane shared that he hoped being open about his struggles would help others. He also said his children, Ice Davis and Iceland Davis, along with his wife Keyshia Ka’Oir, motivated him to get help when he was going through a difficult time.

He explained that his wife was expecting their son, and he worried about the impact of parenthood on his mental health. He feared a potential mental health crisis he might not recover from, so he proactively began therapy and sought support.

The former star of Gossip Girl spoke about his struggles with body image as a young actor, describing it as “body dysmorphia.”

In an April 2025 interview with The Guardian, Penn shared that they deeply disliked their body and wished they had a different one.

He explained that after his parents’ divorce, he gained weight and then entered a difficult period. Emerging from depression and isolation, he felt pressured to focus on his appearance, believing that being considered more attractive would lead to greater success and make him feel more valuable.

Despite the mental struggles, though, Penn credited his ability to persist to his spirituality.

Honestly, it was everything. It was what got me through feeling so lost and confused, all the stuff I was struggling with internally. And then, it brought me back – not the same, though. I feel like something shifted inside me, like I actually changed because of it. It’s hard to explain, but it’s… everything.

The Scrubs alum has been vocal about her past difficult relationship with food.

She described her struggles with food, saying, “Some people might label it an eating disorder, but it’s just how I’ve lived my life.” On the The Funny Thing Is podcast, she admitted food was always her biggest crutch and that she engaged in extreme behaviors related to it.

She added, “I would over-exercise, and there was a sprinkle of bulimia in there.”

Despite admitting she finds it hard to stick to her diet, she’s also been open about the positive steps she’s making towards better health and fitness.

In 2017, she told Bon Appétit that at age 23, she completely changed her lifestyle by eliminating sugar and alcohol and taking up yoga, breathing exercises, and stretching. She described these changes as being more effective than the medication Ritalin.

I’m an actress who struggles with eating and how I see my body, and that’s something I’m actively working on. I’m also focusing on improving my overall health by eating nutritious foods.

The Full House alum reflected on her mental health journey and navigating her battle with depression.

She admitted on her podcast, Candace Cameron Bure Podcast, that it’s really hard to talk about, even with people you trust. She explained that she personally feels she should be able to handle it, and admitting she struggles feels like a weakness.

The Grammy-winning artist frequently talks about safeguarding her well-being, like blocking negativity online, and often offers guidance to others who are struggling.

When asked what advice she’d give someone struggling with their mental health, she told Vogue that patience is key. She emphasized being patient with herself, resisting any impulsive decisions, and allowing time to pass. She believes that difficult feelings will eventually subside.

As people adjusted to social distancing to combat the coronavirus pandemic, the singer of “Firework” opened up about the significant stress these kinds of situations can cause.

She shared on Twitter that it’s often hard to decide what’s more challenging – avoiding the virus or dealing with the sadness and depression that have become common in this new reality. Katy explained that she often finds peace in her car, saying it’s become her safe haven since there aren’t many other places to go.

The model partnered with designer Kenneth Cole to support The Mental Health Coalition and discussed her personal struggles with anxiety on Good Morning America.

After her panic attacks began happening again, she was finally able to find the information she needed to understand them.

Kendall explained that she experiences both good and anxious days, making her involvement with this movement particularly meaningful. She hopes to help others feel less isolated and understood.

The actor known for playing Black Adam has publicly discussed his experiences with depression and the challenges men often face when trying to talk about their mental well-being.

Everyone experiences difficult times and struggles with depression – it doesn’t care who you are. It took me a while to understand, but the most important thing is to talk about what you’re going through. Men especially tend to keep their feelings bottled up, but remember, you’re not alone.

Prince Harry helped reduce the shame around getting mental health support when he discussed his own therapy in an interview with the Telegraph. He explained that talking about his experiences made him realize many other people go through similar things, saying, “Once you start talking about it, you realize you’re not alone.”

The actress from Empire is a strong advocate for seeking professional mental health support, having openly discussed her own experiences with depression. She’s shared that seeing a therapist is essential for her well-being, telling Variety, “That’s the only way I can get through it.”

Taraji P. Henson founded The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation to fight the stigma surrounding mental health within the Black community and to expand access to Black mental health professionals.

The Grammy-winning artist shared that dealing with an eating disorder and performance anxiety prompted her to try a new type of therapy for PTSD, using MDMA and psilocybin.

She told Rolling Stone in May 2025 that this was the first time she’d toured without feeling nervous. She described a strange, shared physical sensation with the audience – almost like a change in air pressure – that really hit her. It made her understand how much she thrives on, and even needs, that intense, emotional connection with people to truly feel her music come alive.

She explained that prioritizing her mental health and stopping birth control helped her develop a broader understanding of her gender identity.

She explained that she decided to stop taking birth control, feeling like it had disconnected her from traditional expectations of womanhood. It might sound unusual, but she felt liberated from those expectations, as if it created space for new possibilities.

In 2017, the Riverdale actress shared on Instagram that she battled with serious anxiety and depression in middle school, and that support from her family and a therapist was life-saving. She emphasized the importance of reaching out for help, stating that it’s the first step, and that everyone has immense value.

The singer behind “What He Didn’t Do” recently opened up about her experiences living with anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) over the past several years.

Carly shared on the August 2025 episode of Bunnie Xo’s Dumb Blonde podcast that her anxiety began during her divorce, which happened during the Covid pandemic. However, she also revealed she’s struggled with severe OCD since childhood.

For the last decade, I really got used to just bottling things up and handling whatever came my way on my own. But a couple of years ago, I realized I needed to get back into therapy. I had to start seriously working through a lot of stuff. It’s funny, people think some of my issues started recently, but honestly, I’ve been dealing with obsessive-compulsive tendencies since I was a little kid – like, six or seven years old.

The actress known for Frozen has openly discussed her mental health strategies for years, sharing them at public speaking events and on platforms like Instagram.

As a lifestyle expert, I always tell people that wellness isn’t one-size-fits-all. What works for me – and Health magazine recently highlighted this too – is a combination of things. I personally find that medication, when needed, can be incredibly helpful. I also practice a gratitude technique – for every negative thought, I list ten positives. And honestly, getting regular exercise is non-negotiable for my mental and physical wellbeing. It’s about finding your best mix!

The cookbook author is a mother of four and has openly discussed her experience with postpartum depression, a common but often unspoken struggle for new mothers.

She explained in a 2017 letter to Glamour that it became simpler to talk about her experience each time. Her hope was to show others that anyone can go through something similar and to help those who are struggling feel less ashamed and isolated.

While publicizing her book, Mirror, Mirror, the model shared with The Edit magazine that she struggled with depression and suicidal thoughts as a teenager, describing a feeling of “something dark” within her during that period.

Cara shared with the publication, as reported by W Magazine, that she used to depend on love and other people for her happiness. She realized she needed to learn to find joy within herself, and after a long journey, she’s now able to be happy on her own.

Ariana Grande encouraged fans to prioritize their mental health after responding to a joke on Twitter about her own therapy. She shared that therapy has been life-saving for her on numerous occasions.

Let me tell you something important: please, don’t be afraid to reach out for help. It’s okay to admit you’re struggling, and it’s absolutely possible to find relief from pain – both physical and emotional. Healing from past trauma is within reach. I know I have a journey ahead of me, but just recognizing that change is possible? That’s a huge first step, and I want you to know it’s a step anyone can take.

The singer has publicly shared her experiences with addiction, recovery, and mental health, and often incorporates these personal struggles into her songs.

She consistently encourages her followers to prioritize their mental well-being, emphasizing that it’s a continuous effort with inevitable setbacks. She once shared on Instagram, “To anyone who’s struggling: life has its highs and lows, but it’s important to keep going.”

The actress has openly discussed mental health, both through her work – like her portrayal of Rue in the show Euphoria – and in her personal life.

In 2013, Zendaya shared on her old app that she felt anxious after a TV appearance on Ellen when her microphone malfunctioned. She’s since found ways to cope with those feelings, explaining that sometimes you need to take a break to reduce stress.

Oh my gosh, she was SO open in her interview with WSJ Magazine! She actually talked about how extreme everything was for her – like, when she was on top of the world, she really felt it, but when she was down, it completely knocked her out for weeks. It was so brave of her to share something so personal, and it just makes me connect with her even more!

She revealed she’s been dealing with mental health challenges, but finding the right medication has made a huge difference in her life.

The Grammy-winning artist dedicated herself to promoting kindness and openly discussing mental health, sharing her own experiences as well.

She shared that she’d kept her struggles with mental health private for a long time, but now believes that keeping those issues hidden actually made things worse. She said this while accepting the Global Changemakers Award at a 2018 fundraiser for Children Mending Hearts.

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2025-12-11 20:49