Vice President JD Vance visited his favorite NFL team, but the players’ reaction wasn’t what he expected. A new video captured the awkward moment Bengals players walked right past the VP after practice.
How Cincinnati Bengals players interacted with the vice president
Cincinnati Bengals players gave Vice President JD Vance a notably cold reception during his surprise visit to Paycor Stadium, according to NBC 5 Cincinnati. The Ohio native stopped by after speaking at a rally in the Cincinnati suburb of Sharonville on Wednesday. Most players offered little more than a passing nod as they walked past him toward the locker room after practice.
JD Vance greets Bengals players on the way out pic.twitter.com/lMKvYRpMfE
— Charlie Clifford (@char_cliff) October 21, 2026
Sports Director Charlie Clifford’s 18-second video captured tight end Drew Sample fist-bumping Vance’s son Vivek before briefly shaking the vice president’s hand. Sample appeared to be the only player in the clip who shook Vance’s hand. Clifford later explained on air that Vance was spending time with the players as practice ended.
Head coach Zac Taylor did shake Vance’s hand before heading into the locker room. A separate video from Cincinnati Enquirer reporter Kelsey Conway captured that interaction.
Star quarterback Joe Burrow told reporters he did not get a chance to meet with Vance. “He, uhh, came with everybody and left with swiftness and efficiency before the end of practice, so I didn’t get to,” Burrow said. The 29-year-old added he only learned about the visit after practice had already started.
Burrow deflected a question about his reaction to the visit by turning the focus to himself. “A lot of people around. You know, that’s what I love about what I do is, 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 the work that I’ve put in, to come and watch greatness,” Burrow said. Vance grew up in Middletown, roughly a 45-minute drive from downtown Cincinnati. The 3-2 Bengals will face the 4-2 Ravens in Baltimore on Sunday.
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