Cameras caught Cincinnati Bengals star quarterback Joe Burrow ignoring an autograph request from a young fan in public.

There’s no shortage of stories involving celebrities ignoring fans’ pleas for autographs, selfies, etc. It’s been going on forever, but we see more instances of it these days because of cellphones and social media.

The complex reality for fans is that celebrities simply don’t have time to stop and greet every fan that sees them walking in public, especially one of America’s most beloved athletes like Joe Burrow.

Nonetheless, some fans are ripping on Joe Burrow for ignoring a young fan’s autograph request while walking around in an undisclosed location in the evening. Other fans stood in front of Burrow to get a selfie (he clearly wasn’t thrilled), ignoring the autograph request as he made his way into a vehicle:

If you go through the reactions on the two X/Twitter posts above, you’ll see conflicting responses from fans. Some thought he should have taken a few seconds to make the kid’s day, but others defended Burrow and cited his right to privacy and peace.

But folks shouldn’t let this one instance shape their belief about how Joe Burrow treats his fans. Jay Morrison of Bengals Talk snapped a photo of Burrow giving autographs to a few fans at Wednesday’s practice:

Also, considering that Burrow was one of several prominent athletes to have their homes burglarized last year, it’s understandable that he might be extra low-key and private when he’s out in public.

Burrow and the Bengals have been notoriously slow starters since his 2020 rookie year. A 0-3 start in 2024 proved costly, as the Bengals’ 9-8 finish kept them out of the postseason by one game.

The Bengals will try to avoid another sluggish start when they visit the AFC North rival Cleveland Browns on Sept. 8.

Also Read: NFL Fans Think Tom Brady Fired A Direct Shot At Bengals QB Joe Burrow