Born on March 10, 1998, in Eugene, Oregon, Justin Herbert has quickly become one of the NFL’s most exciting and admired quarterbacks. His football story starts on the familiar grass of Sheldon High School, where his talent was obvious early on. Instead of seeking the national spotlight, Herbert chose to stay close to home for college, guiding the Oregon Ducks with a rocket arm and an easy confidence that soon had NFL scouts paying close attention.
The Los Angeles Chargers picked him sixth overall in the 2020 NFL Draft, and it didn’t take long for Herbert to prove that they’d made the right call. Thrust into the starting lineup unexpectedly, he responded by shattering rookie records, winning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, and immediately turning heads across the league. Not bad for a kid who once spent his weekends swapping trading cards of the very players he now shares the field with.
Yet, unlike many of his counterparts, Herbert stands out for reasons far beyond his on-field heroics. In a league where social media followings and endorsement deals seem just as important as touchdowns, Herbert prefers to keep things simple – and private. He’s rarely seen in commercials or splashed across social media, and his teammates and coaches often mention his quietly relentless work ethic and humility.
The Private Quarterback
If Herbert has one calling card off the field, it’s his love of privacy. While some NFL stars light up Instagram with glimpses into their personal lives or bring celebrity partners to red carpet events, Herbert has managed to keep almost every detail out of public view – and he seems perfectly happy that way.
“I’m pretty boring,” he told the Los Angeles Times with a laugh in 2021. “I’m just focused on football and family right now.” It’s a believable line coming from a guy who still drives the same old Toyota Camry he had in college, even after signing a contract worth over $100 million.
Herbert’s “disappearing act” off the field inevitably leads to speculation, much of it flimsy at best. In 2021, internet rumors tried to link him romantically to NFL Network reporter Taylor Bisciotti after the two were spotted at a charity event. Neither ever addressed the story, and friends insist there’s nothing there but professional respect. Other rumors – often stranger, and sometimes just flat-out made up – usually fall apart under the slightest scrutiny.
Even his teammates join in on the fun about Herbert’s quiet ways. Wide receiver Keenan Allen once joked to a reporter, “Man, Justin doesn’t tell us anything. He shows up, throws perfect passes, watches film, and goes home. That’s our quarterback.” For Chargers fans, it’s an image that only adds to Herbert’s mystique.
Beyond Football
But there’s more to Herbert than just touchdowns and tight spirals. Before football fully took over, he graduated with a 4.01 GPA in biology and was seriously considering medical school. He’s since given back by establishing a science scholarship at Oregon and quietly showing up at community events – almost always avoiding the cameras.
In an era when athletes carefully curate their public personas, Herbert is content to let his football speak for itself. He’s old-school in the best way, the rare kind of superstar who seems happy showing up for work, doing his job at a ridiculously high level, and then disappearing back into a quiet life.
Past Relationships
Madison Beer
Taylor Bisciotti
And while fans might be curious to know more, maybe there’s something refreshing about a quarterback who keeps the spotlight focused on the field – and lets the rest of his story play out on his own terms. For now, the most important relationship Herbert has is clearly the one with the game itself. As for the rest? He seems perfectly fine keeping that behind the scenes.