You’ve seen the side-by-side photos. One is a Jedi Knight on the verge of a breakdown in Revenge of the Sith, and the other is a quarterback trying to navigate a pocket against the Cleveland Browns. The Joe Burrow Anakin Skywalker comparison has become one of those internet things that just won't die. It’s more than just a passing meme at this point. It’s basically a shared cultural language for NFL fans who also happen to know their way around a lightsaber.
Honestly, it started with the hair. Back in May 2024, a photo of Burrow with longer, flowing locks hit the internet, and the collective hive mind of social media immediately went: "That’s him. That’s the Chosen One." It wasn't just the length; it was that specific, slightly disheveled look that screamed I’m about to turn on the Jedi Council because I’m stressed about my wife. But as we sit here in 2026, looking back at how this comparison evolved, it’s clear the "Anakin era" wasn't just about a haircut. It was about an energy.
The Hair That Launched a Thousand Memes
Let's talk about that viral moment. When the Joe Burrow Anakin Skywalker memes first peaked, Burrow was sporting a look that was almost identical to Hayden Christensen’s in Episode III. The "lettuce," as football guys call it, was out in full force. It was a departure from the shorter, more polished styles we’d seen from him at LSU or early in his Bengals career.
📖 Related: NFL Scoreboard Week 8: What Really Happened Under the Lights
Then came the blonde.
In July 2024, Burrow pulled a total 180 and showed up to training camp with a platinum blonde buzz cut. People called him Slim Shady. They called him Cody Rhodes. But the Star Wars diehards? They saw it as the transition. If the long hair was the Jedi Knight, the buzz cut was the stark, utilitarian shift of someone moving into a new phase of their "empire."
Just a few days ago, in early January 2026, we saw another chapter of this hair saga. During a post-game press conference after a tough 20-18 loss to the Browns, Burrow was visibly frustrated, constantly pushing his bangs out of his face. The NFL’s official account even joked about getting him a hat. It’s that constant struggle between looking like a fashion icon and just trying to see the field that keeps the Anakin comparisons alive.
Why the Joe Burrow Anakin Skywalker Connection Actually Fits
It’s not just the aesthetic. If you look at the "Hero’s Journey" of Joe Burrow, it follows a weirdly similar path to the guy who eventually became Vader.
- The Overlooked Talent: Anakin was a slave on Tatooine; Burrow was a backup at Ohio State who had to transfer to LSU to prove he belonged.
- The Meteoric Rise: Anakin became the greatest pilot in the galaxy. Burrow had arguably the greatest single season in college football history, winning the Heisman and a National Championship.
- The Burden of Expectations: Both were labeled "The Chosen One." Anakin was supposed to bring balance to the Force; Burrow was supposed to bring a Super Bowl to Cincinnati.
There’s a certain "darkness" to Burrow’s public persona too. Not "evil" darkness, but a cold, calculated confidence. He’s "Joe Shiesty." He’s "Joe Brr." He walks into stadiums wearing backless suits and fur coats like he’s already conquered the planet. That level of swagger can feel a bit like a Sith Lord in the making.
The Fashion Wars
Burrow’s fashion choices are basically his version of a costume change. Whether he’s at the Met Gala in a blue double-breasted suit or walking the runway in Paris, he takes risks that most NFL players wouldn't touch. Kinda like how Anakin went from the simple robes of a Padawan to the heavy, intimidating black armor.
✨ Don't miss: LeBron 9: Why This Chaotic Masterpiece Still Matters in 2026
Some fans hate it. They call his outfits "diabolically bad" or say he "tries too hard." But that’s the point. You don't get to be the Chosen One by playing it safe. You have to be willing to wear a suit that looks like 90s movie theater carpet if you want to stand out in a league full of cookie-cutter personalities.
What Really Happened with the "Villain Arc"
Every great story needs a villain arc. For a while, people thought Burrow was entering his. The injuries, the missed playoff opportunities, the frustration with the Bengals' offensive line—it all felt like the "Council" was failing him.
But here’s what most people get wrong: Burrow isn't actually turning. He’s just intense. Unlike Anakin, who let his emotions lead him to the Dark Side, Burrow seems to channel that frustration into a weird, robotic focus. He told the media recently, "I'm not going to act like things were high-level football when they weren't." That’s not a villain; that’s just a leader who’s tired of losing.
Actionable Insights for the "Burrow-Obsessed"
If you’re trying to keep up with the Joe Burrow Anakin Skywalker phenomenon or just want to emulate that "Chosen One" energy, here’s what you actually need to do:
- Embrace the Pivot: When people expect you to go one way (like growing your hair long), do the opposite (like bleaching it). Controlled unpredictability is the key to the Burrow/Anakin brand.
- Confidence is the Only Accessory: Whether you’re wearing a $5,000 suit or a backwards hat and ripped jeans on a date in NYC, you have to look like you meant to do it. The moment you look "worried" (like Josh Allen often does, according to the trolls), the aura vanishes.
- Focus on the Craft: Anakin was a master of the lightsaber. Burrow is a master of the processing speed. At the end of the day, the "fits" only matter because he can play. If you aren't producing, you're just a guy in a weird outfit.
The Bengals might have finished 6-11 this past season, but the legend of "Anakin Burrow" isn't going anywhere. As long as he keeps showing up to the stadium looking like he’s about to either throw for 400 yards or overthrow a galactic senate, the internet will keep the memes coming.
💡 You might also like: NCAA Volleyball Tournament 2024: What Most People Get Wrong
Study the film, watch the tunnel walks, and remember: balance to the Force—and the AFC North—usually requires a bit of a "dark side" edge.