Joe Burrow doesn't mind being thirsted over on social media.
While discussing his new "Choose Better" campaign with BODYARMOR, the Cincinnati Bengals quarterback, 28, tells PEOPLE what he thinks of the internet's crush on him.
"It's been interesting to see how the perception of me has changed over the years," Burrow tells PEOPLE. "I never really felt that way about myself, and I wouldn't say when I was younger, other people felt that way about me either."
Burrow says it's only in the last couple of years that he's seen the internet catapult him into heartthrob status, and while he's not exactly accustomed to the focus on his personal life, he appreciates the admiration.
"I just find it interesting how the change has happened over the last couple years. It makes you feel good," says Burrow. "It definitely doesn't make me feel bad. So I don't pay attention too much to it, but sometimes it's nice."
During his interview with PEOPLE, Burrow also talked about how he's been spending his offseason, and shared that he's "been more into audiobooks and podcasts," but fans of the NFL star may be surprised to learn what his taste in podcasts is like.
"I'm into physics and science and things of that nature," says Burrow, "So Lex Fridman, I'll listen to some of his things. David Kipping has a podcast that I enjoy listening to. So mainly physics and science currently."
Burrow is also enjoying meeting his fellow BODYARMOR athlete ambassadors like WNBA star Sabrina Ionescu, Edmonton Oilers' Connor McDavid and Dallas Cowboys' CeeDee Lamb. "I like how diverse the cast is, as far as all the different sports," Burrow tells PEOPLE of the campaign. "I just met Sabrina for the first time a couple days ago, and I have a lot of respect for all those names."
Burrow says working with BODYARMOR "really aligns with who I am pretty perfectly," and the brand supports his "mindset" of "trying to get better every single day."
Whether he's in the gym or listening to a science podcast, Burrow says he's always looking to be a "better" version of himself, especially after a disappointing end to the Bengals' season, with the team just missing the playoffs. "I know everybody on our team wasn't satisfied with how the season ended for us, so I think everybody is focused on the same thing," he shares.
"That really aligns with what BODYARMOR is doing right now with the new campaign. If I can just get a little better every day, then I'll be a little better next year than I was last year, and you can say the same thing for the year after that."
